Siberian husky or german shepard

SuperMario

Irishcrx wrote: »

I don't think any one should be having a go at the OP for wanting one of these dogs, a dog is a life time commitment, you should obviously have one you really want despite the reason you want it, and he seems to have done his research, thought about it and even asked for advice here he hasn't shown any signs of wanting them for the wrong reasons.

Hi guys.

Sorry for not replying sooner.
My family have had gsd all their lives and I grew up with them.
However a husky is a breed iv always wanted and liked.
Iv weighed up the pros and cons and even though husky seem like hard work and will apparently always have to be on a lead, I still would like to be the owner of one of these gorgeous breed.
The pro of the gsd is that unlike the husky they can be left off the lead in land and will come back, something that can't be done with a husky according to must people I have talked to.

Time to keep thinking for me.

votejohn

Supermario I got a husky four months ago, she is hard work but so so so worth it! They can be quite shy to people, so make sure you get one from a breeder that has socialised the pups with people from an early age.

Also, with huskies you HAVE to tire them out a lot, they destroy the place if given half a chance. I have to lock bella in the utility room and empty it if im leaving the house for an hour or so, she rips up clothes, books, and anything she can get her teeth into!

ISDW rehomes huskies, so if your willing to get a slightly older dog get on to her.

ISDW

SuperMario wrote: »

Hi guys.

Sorry for not replying sooner.
My family have had gsd all their lives and I grew up with them.
However a husky is a breed iv always wanted and liked.
Iv weighed up the pros and cons and even though husky seem like hard work and will apparently always have to be on a lead, I still would like to be the owner of one of these gorgeous breed.
The pro of the gsd is that unlike the husky they can be left off the lead in land and will come back, something that can't be done with a husky according to must people I have talked to.

Time to keep thinking for me.

Yeay, another sibe owner:D If you want to go for a puppy, check out the All Ireland Siberian Husky Club, they have a website and will be able to put you in touch with reputable breeders. If you go to a breeder, ask to see the hip and eye scores for the sire and dam. Sibes can suffer from hip dysplasia and also some eye problems. The average hip score for sibes is 7, so don't touch any pups that come from parents with a score over 10.

If you would be interested in an older dog, I have a few sibes here at the moment, including a gorgeous red and white boy, he's only 9 months old but will need a lot of work, as he's not been socialised at all. He's doing much better now, is coming to me for cuddles, but needs a lot of understanding and patience.

Best of luck.

SuperMario

Thanks for that guys
where is your rescue based isdw

is it ever possible to leave a hush off the lead?
Does their destruction get less when their older.
If I got a dog it would only be on it's own forr
max 1 hour a day and at night when in bed.

votejohn

i'd say get a crate for your doggy to sleep in, and to keep in when your leaving it on its own.

Bella gets lots of daily exercise, so when shes in the house she's either passed out asleep, or jumping all over the place! If im up in my parents she just keeps trying to get their two dogs to play.

Its only when shes unsupervised that she gets up to mischief, so a crate is a good idea.

SuperMario

Are they intelligent, as in will they do what their told. Or do they kind of do their own thing.
I don't mind mad crazy as a pup but do they grow out of that and become obedient

SuperMario

I know huskys and gsd are two completly different breeds, but is it possible for a husky to have the same intelligence towards people as a gsd, i.e fetching, sound what it's told (the usual doggy things)

votejohn

definately very very intelligent, but the prob with huskies is they are very independent, and a little too intelligent. they dont just obey commands because your their boss (like a gsd might).

For instance, bella loves the snow. She knows the 'here' command, and it usually is rewarded with a treat. However, when she's out in the snow, if I call her to come in, she'll just look at me, and then ignore me because she'd rather be in the snow!!

They are very cleaver, pick up commands and tricks quickly, but gsd's respect their owners a lot more, and are more loyal.

Love love love both breeds though!

peasant

SuperMario wrote: »

I know huskys and gsd are two completly different breeds, but is it possible for a husky to have the same intelligence towards people as a gsd, i.e fetching, sound what it's told (the usual doggy things)

Theoretically everything is possible ...

Over centuries huskies have been bred for winter work. Pull sleds and run. For that they needed to understand the commands for left, right, fast and slow and have lots of energy.
During the arctic summer when there was little use for them, they were left to their own devices and had to hunt for their own food.

So basically they are a very independent hunting dog that can run forever and not a family dog at all.

Recently their breeding has changed a lot and so has their "work". They have become fashionable, almost decorative items.

But a lot of their indepence (even aloofness) has remained, as has their hunting instinct and their energy.

Some modern huskies may well turn out to be agreeable family dogs, but with a lot of them the "old ways" still shine through.

All in all, not a dog for the novice and not an easy dog to have.

ISDW

SuperMario wrote: »

Thanks for that guys
where is your rescue based isdw

is it ever possible to leave a hush off the lead?
Does their destruction get less when their older.
If I got a dog it would only be on it's own forr
max 1 hour a day and at night when in bed.

Sorry, I answered this hours ago, but my internet crashed as I posted it.

I'm in Sligo, but we rehome all over the country.

I would never recommend letting a sibe off lead in an unenclosed area, they can lull you into a false sense of security, coming back when called, then one day will take off and nothing will call them back. They can cover a lot of miles very easily, have no road sense and unfortunately with the look of them, and their high prey drive, a good few get shot by farmers every year.

If they have enough exercise, they shouldn't be too destructive:D However, I have kind of given up in my house now, my lot seem to love kitchen utensils for some reason, we buy about 6 wooden spoons a month. They will even take knives off the table and chew the handles! I also now only buy socks of one colour, so that I can make pairs up.

I love them to bits, to me, they are my breed because of their independence, love of fun and general huskiness. I love their howling, and the way they chat away to me. I also love the way they will work and work and work, the feeling from working with your dog, with them pulling you on a scooter or rig is just unbelievable. But they also drive me nuts, with the destruction of things, their urge to escape and the fact that we have to have a locked door in the house to keep the cats safe. As long as you know what you're letting yourself in for, you'll be fine. Just don't believe the Disney films;)

Best of luck

ISDW

peasant wrote: »

Theoretically everything is possible ...

Over centuries huskies have been bred for winter work. Pull sleds and run. For that they needed to understand the commands for left, right, fast and slow and have lots of energy.
During the arctic summer when there was little use for them, they were left to their own devices and had to hunt for their own food.

So basically they are a very independent hunting dog that can run forever and not a family dog at all.

Recently their breeding has changed a lot and so has their "work". They have become fashionable, almost decorative items.

But a lot of their indepence (even aloofness) has remained, as has their hunting instinct and their energy.

Some modern huskies may well turn out to be agreeable family dogs, but with a lot of them the "old ways" still shine through.

All in all, not a dog for the novice and not an easy dog to have.

Sorry Peasant, don't think I'd agree with that. They were bred to pull the sleds during the day and then sleep with the children at night to keep them warm, so any that were human aggressive were culled. They are great family dogs in so far as they should be easy going with adults and children. No loyalty though, they just love everybody.

votejohn

Agree with all ISDW has to say, she's the expert on huskies.

ESPECIALLY agree with your point about the socks!!!! Be aware that if you bring your husky to another persons house they'll root out your friends dirty socks in minutes

Also, just another point on their intelligence, after being locked in to the utility room twice, third time she just opened the door handle, now we have to wedge a chair against the outside of the door!!!

All the mischief and expense is worth it though, when she's out walking with her doggie buddies she's just so happy and expressive!!

And the way they pounce makes her look so like a wild animal!!

You have the time, and the dog handling experience, so I say go for it, You'll make a fab husky owner!!

Yeah thanks for clearing that up ISDW.

I knew what Peasant said was wrong, the Sibe Husky is definitely great with people and kids.

I don't even have one personally. I've just researched EVERYTHING about them and my friends have one.

Irishcrx

God on the issue of socks I must have gone through a hundred pairs by now, he'll get them out of anywhere!...On the issue of intelligence, huskys are just as smart as a GSD is trust me, they are just a little harder to train, they look at a situation and where as a GSD would want to do what you want to please you, a husky will look what he can get out of it. But they can be trained with patience and can be a great companion, as said they understand what you are saying, just some choose not to obey just stick at it, I've even thought my fella how to play football and put the ball in the goal by giving him treats, then I cut them out and gave him plenty of praise and he got it, now he just does it to embarress me when were playing!...All in all you won't be dissapointed with one, they are amazing dogs with lots of love to give, it's true they love everybody but if you really build a bond with them you can still be their favourite, my guy will walk into a room see everybody, then pick me out and come over and lie down. That has to be loyalty.Good luck whatever you choose.

peasant

ISDW wrote: »

Sorry Peasant, don't think I'd agree with that. They were bred to pull the sleds during the day and then sleep with the children at night to keep them warm, so any that were human aggressive were culled. They are great family dogs in so far as they should be easy going with adults and children. No loyalty though, they just love everybody.

At no point did I mean to imply that they would eat your first born

The "not a family dog" tag doesn't mean they're people agressive, they just (as you said) love everybody, but no-one in particular.:D

If you want a dog that reads your every wish from your lips or eyes ...get a GSD, not a Husky

votejohn

peasant wrote: »

The "not a family dog" tag doesn't mean they're people agressive, they just (as you said) love everybody, but no-one in particular.:D

That sounds like a perfect family dog to me! A dog that makes friends with all the family, and house guests!!

Paul91

votejohn wrote: »

That sounds like a perfect family dog to me! A dog that makes friends with all the family, and house guests!!

depends if the "Guests" are invited I'd go GSD - frmo reading this and owning one, unless you are willing to "work" the huskie seems to me a GSD is better fit for your circumstance

Huskies aren't in the slightest bit agro either...they look the part but are in fact terrible terrible guard dogs.

Hermit07

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah thanks for clearing that up ISDW.

I knew what Peasant said was wrong, the Sibe Husky is definitely great with people and kids.

I don't even have one personally. I've just researched EVERYTHING about them and my friends have one.

I have an awful lot of experience with training dogs

Ive done an awful lot of dog training classes and I wouldnt be buying a husky as a family dog, Ive met much more snappy huskies than reliable ones. In fact when I'm training dogs the sibes are the ones I always have to watch out for, they are also very likely to try to catch and kill any fleeing small animal they find including the neighbourhood cats.

I know about the prey drive and small animal issue. However, in terms of the snapping, isn't it more an exception than the norm though ?

Hermit07

Unfortunately not, Ive met a lot of sibes and done a lot of work/training with them and far too many are nervous and snappy.

Dont get me wrong ive met some with great temperments but they are few and far between and generally in the hands of very experienced dog owners. I certainly wouldnt be recommending one as a pet.

I'd agree with you. I think too many people don't know what they are getting involved in which is really sad...

ISDW

Hermit07 wrote: »

Unfortunately not, Ive met a lot of sibes and done a lot of work/training with them and far too many are nervous and snappy.

Dont get me wrong ive met some with great temperments but they are few and far between and generally in the hands of very experienced dog owners. I certainly wouldnt be recommending one as a pet.

Again, different experiences, but I've had a lot of sibes through the doors here and I have had only one kennel guest that was snappy. For about an hour, because he'd had a really bad experience in a previous kennel. Once he knew I wasn't going to hurt him he was a fantastic dog. I've had sibes in from pounds and from family homes, and haven't yet come across a nasty one. I have a 9 month old pup here at the moment who has never been socialised or worn a collar, so when I first put a collar on him and tried to get hold of it he would snap, but only through fear and not knowing what on earth was going on, he didn't really try to bite, he was warning me. That lasted 2 days, now he comes to me for cuddles, this morning he jumped on the bed and crawled his way up to me.

Sibes with bad temperaments are definitely not the norm, but unfortunately they are being heavily puppy farmed, so there are probably a lot of them with no socialisation whatsoever being sold.

Hermit07

ISDW wrote: »

unfortunately they are being heavily puppy farmed, so there are probably a lot of them with no socialisation whatsoever being sold.

I think you hit the nail on the head here, this is the main problem and has happened in many other breeds before them... such as GSD's, dalmations,bull breeds, boxers, Rottweilers, CKCS, even the humble golden retriever and the lastest dog of the month seems to be the Jack Russell where everone is breeding them with no regard at all for temperment, type etc

and then people like yourself are left to pick up the pieces:(

votejohn

ISDW wrote: »

Sibes with bad temperaments are definitely not the norm, but unfortunately they are being heavily puppy farmed, so there are probably a lot of them with no socialisation whatsoever being sold.

This is what happened to me. I was planning on rescuing a dog, but my friend and my sister got me a sibe husky as a surprise as they knew it was my dream dog.

She came to me completely unsocialised with people, and she was 11 weeks so missed out on vital human socialisation period.

Ive a lot of dog handling experience and qualifications, and I found it tough getting her to come round, but thank god she's almost there now.

ISDW like the pup you have now, Bella's only recently begun to jump up onto the bed in the morning for cuddles! Its sooo rewarding after all the work thats gone into her, and the best feeling ever when she cuddles into me and falls asleep!

But, one point, when Bella came to me she was scared of all people, and shes still very very intimidated if someone corners her , but she would, and has, never ever snapped or seemed like she was going to snap, when shes scared she just lies down and stays still.

Irishcrx

The puppy farming with these dogs at the moment unfortunatly is very high, as said you have to be carefull and buy from a rebutable breeder and take your time. When I was looking I went to one place in Dublin, Crumlin area and I was in shock, the dogs were all locked away with no human interaction, fecies everywhere, they were terrified of people, looked underfed, no water visible, mother looked very poorly I'd imagine from overbreeding, no papers in sight for anyone. I let the guy there have it and told him not only did i not want a puppy but that i'd be on the ISPCA first thing next morning, cheeky gut offered me a free puppy and all...needless to say I did contact them as I was sick to the stomach.

Eventually found a great breeder in carlow , loved his dogs, loved his bloodlines, full papers, great tempermeant, lovely home for them and set up...look for these breeders and you'll get a much better chance at raising the perfect Husky.

supermum1

I do agree that sibes aren't great family dogs, more from a training point of view. they need very strict and consistent training, anyone who trains dogs in a family situation knows that kids are your worst enemy!! I just feel that kids could undo alot of hard work, leading to a misbehaved dog. unfortunately the dogs usually pay the price too

Steve30x

supermum1 wrote: »

I do agree that sibes aren't great family dogs, more from a training point of view. they need very strict and consistent training, anyone who trains dogs in a family situation knows that kids are your worst enemy!! I just feel that kids could undo alot of hard work, leading to a misbehaved dog. unfortunately the dogs usually pay the price too

Having a second puppy is a little hard also. I have two puppies. I first got a cavalier king charles then a Border collie. The Cavalier was well behaved (sitill is mostly well behaved) but if I didnt know how to keep them both under control all my previous training of the cavalier would be lost because since the new puppy arrived the cavalier started to disobey me when I saw she needed to go to the toilet. She will follow me to the back door but as soon as I open the back door she turns around and goes back inside. I will have her out of that soon though. She just thinks the new guy is the pack leader because he is almost three times her size (she is quite small). I just have to use the lead with her again for a week or two and she will get back into the routine again.