Is a Siberian in your Future?
As with any breed of dog, you should be seeking a lifetime
commitment, so you should first research the breed to make sure that it will
fit your lifestyle. There are a number of considerations that we like to
make potential puppy purchasers aware of before they 'dive in' and get a
pup for which they aren't prepared. Siberians are not always the best breed
for everyone!
1. Wanderer - This breed
should never be trusted off-lead. They will run and they won't come back
when you call them. Don't be fooled into thinking that you can train them
to stay in your yard. The many people who have tried and no longer have
their dogs can attest to the risk associated with this impossible task.
2. Houdini Lives - Siberians are escape
artists and need a SECURELY fenced in yard if you want to let them off a leash.
Over
- They can jump or climb most fenced in areas. Six feet is the recommended
height to have. If your dog is a climber, you may need a roof for your kennel.
Under - They will also very easily dig out underneath the fence, so it is recommended
that if the fence is not placed upon concrete then something should be buried
along the perimeter of the fence in order to properly contain them.
Through
- Leaving them in a yard or kennel unattended for great lengths is not appropriate
for this breed as they are highly intelligent and they will find a way out.
If the fence is made of a weak guage of chain link that isn't securely attached,
they can push the fence up or chew through it. This can also occur with wood.
No other alternatives - Because they are sled pullers, tying your dog out is
not appropriate as not only will they escape, other neighborhood dogs then
have open access to him/her. Underground or 'invisible' fences are also not
effective for this breed.
3. Green Thumb - They instinctively dig
and will leave large holes, even trenches, throughout your yard.
4. Kirby vs. Hoover - Do
you own a good vacuum? Twice a year, Siberians do what is referred to as "blowing
coat" where they lose the bottom layer, or undercoat. Sometimes they will
not do this during the puppy years, but once they do, it is a mess. Just
a note: we only adopt dogs to homes where they will be inside members of the
family, so if cleaning up a lot of fur twice a year is an issue, we would
suggest looking at a different breed.
5. High Voltage - This is
a high-energy breed, especially for the first two years of life. They are
not suited for people who won't provide any exercise opportunities for the
dog or leave them in a crate for long periods of time. We do recommend crate
training however, if your work schedule has you away from the house
for much more than 8 hours a day, you will come home to a very anxious puppy!
6. Who's the Boss? - Because the Siberian is a pack animal,
they will establish a hierarchy, or 'pecking order' for dominance. Puppy kindergarten
classes and general obedience classes are highly recommended for proper socialization
and training. Consistency with training is extremely important.
7. Snack Time - This breed
has a high level predatory instinct and they will hunt cats, birds, and other
smaller animals. Of all of our Siberians who have been raised here, even
from puppy-ages, in the company of a house cat, only one can be left in the
house alone her! The rest would hunt her in an instant.
8. An Apple A Day - This
is a relatively 'clean' breed in that they only have two MAIN health concerns
- the hips and eyes. Hip displaysia is a problem in many moderate-to-larger
sized dog breeds. Although the prevalence is not too high in Siberians, people
should still be selective and purchase a puppy from people who have the hips
checked on the parents through the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).
Cataracts, corneal distrophy (CD), and some other eye defects are huge problems
for the breed. People should only purchase puppies from breeders who have
yearly eye exams performed on the parents by a canine opthamologist (ACVO).
These health screenings can reduce the risk of purchasing an unhealthy puppy,
however, it does not guarantee that problems won't occur. With this in mind,
prospective owners should purchase puppies from breeders who offer a comprehensive
written health guarantee.
9. Too Hot to Trot? - Siberians
have two layers of coat - a top-coat (guard coat) and a thick insulating
undercoat, which they lose twice per year. As with any pet, you must use
common sense! If it is very hot outside, the solution is simple.don't have
the dog outside for extended periods. We only adopt our dogs to inside homes.
Getting a dog for the purpose of tying it outside or leaving it in a kennel
is inappropriate. So, having the dog outside for extended periods should
not even become an issue. However, if you do opt to take your dog outside
with you, make sure he/she has adequate shade and water when the weather
is hot. The top-coat on a Siberian, especially reds, can bleach out, burn,
or lighten up due to over exposure to the sun.
10. Are Siberians good with kids? -
As a general rule, yes; however, that suggestion is also dependent upon many
factors including socialization, health, background, and temperament of the
dog, as well as whether or not your children have learned to respect the
dog. All dogs have teeth, no matter how behaved they may seem! [back]
YOU WANT A
HUSKY?  Are you interested in buying a Siberian Husky? Then, you've already heard how marvelous they are. We think you should also be told that they do have their shortcomings [more]... |
SIBERIAN HUSKY
HISTORY Native to Siberia, the Siberian Husky was brought to Alaska in 1909. The Siberian Husky was originated by the Chukchi people of NE Asia as an endurance sled dog. [more]... |
COAT &
GROOMING The Siberian Husky is a fairly easy dog to care for. He is by nature fastidiously clean and is typically free from odor and parasites. They clean groom like cats. [more]... |
