hey guys...

this is crazy the amount of info you get on here...wondering if anyone is able to help at all..

im looking to get a siberian husky around september time due to the amount of room at my current location...

has anyone got any advise on how to find a good breeder??

also any stories that may help when keeping and looking after a husky or and advantages disadvantage of owning one???

cheers guys

hi, i have two husky x malamutes, nearly a year old. and from my experience i can tell you that you need a good secure garden, preferably with nothing in it cause they have destroyed everything in mine, the lawn, bushes, plants, i have craters like you see on the moon, lol. my house is always full of hair as is our clothes, no matter what. an hour and a half walk/ run off lead is not enough for mikito, he would stay out all day. im sure you've read that huskys shouldn't be let off lead as they run off, but have been fairly successful with mine, it could be the mal in them, but i do take them to an enclosed field. its said that they are independant thinkers and quite hard to train, only doing stuff if they want to, but i think most dogs do something cause they want to. mine are very dog friendly, very loyal, very funny, and want to eat small furry animals like cats, squirrels and rabbits. i could go on, let us know how you get on. there was someone on here called raindog who has had huskys for 15 years and helps the rehoming shelter so drop him a line if hes still here, or theres a husky forum called husky owners, try that.

Hi,

There are quite a lot of Siberian Husky breeders in the UK. Like most breeds the quality of dogs & breeders varies widely. A small proportion of breeders in the UK are reputable and responsible but most, unfortunately, are not. To the inexperienced it is often difficult to tell the difference. Unfortunately, the puppy farmers, backyard breeders and naive/stupid/greedy "pet" breeders have discovered the breed and are churning out poor quality pups like there's no tomorrow.

Many breeders have websites. How can you tell from the website what kind of breeder they are? Check this article out - Looking for a Breeder Online - it's from the US, but the principles are the same.

These are some of the indicators you can use to check breeders out. Firstly, are the dogs being bred Kennel Club registered and are the pups KC registered? KC registration is not a 100% guarantee, but it is a strong indication that the pedigree of your dog is accurate and honest. If sire, dam or the pups are not KC registered beat a hasty retreat at that point.

Do they work and/or show their dogs. If not, why are they breeding? Most good breeders breed litters to improve their stock for the show ring or the trail. If they are doing neither you have to assume that their main motivation is cash! - not the best reason for breeding dogs.

Secondly, how easy do they make it to buy a puppy? If you don't get the (friendly) third degree about your knowledge of the breed, the security of your garden & house etc. it is unlikely that they are a responsible breeder. Will they let you see the mum and dad and all their other dogs? You can learn a lot from the condition and temperament of the adult dogs in a breeder's kennel. On many occasions the breeder will have gone 'outside' for a mating so they won't actually own the stud dog, but they should be able to show you pictures, pedigree and health certification. Although as a breed, the Siberian Husky is very healthy, all responsible breeders will screen their dogs for hereditary defects. In particular, they should be checked for hip and eye defects. Ask if the parents of the puppies are tested and ask to see the results. (The breed average for hip scores is 7 - Eyes should be tested for Hereditary Cataracts, PRA and Glaucoma at the very least)

Will they expect you to sign a puppy contract in which you undertake to return the dog direct to the breeder if for any reason you cannot keep it? All responsible breeders will insist on this.

So - that is what you look for when you find a breeder, but how do you find one?

One of the best ways is to visit large Championship Dog Shows and find the Siberian Husky benches. Here you will find a wide variety of Siberians, their owners and breeders. You will also be able to see loads of dogs and decide what 'type' of dog you would like. In the UK, Siberians range from the very slim sprint-racing dogs, through middle-of-the-road dogs who can succeed both in racing and showing, to the US style shorter-legged Show dogs. You also need to decide whether you want a dog you can show and/or race as well as being a pet. At most big shows all types are represented. If you buy a catalogue you will have access to the addresses of all the owners at the show.

Similarly in the winter you can visit some of the racing events which happen all over the country.

Visit SnoPeak Siberian Huskies UK Siberian Husky Racing Team to find details of racing events near you.

You may have to wait to get the puppy you want as most reputable breeders only breed occasionally – If you are properly prepared, the wait will be worth it. The only problem then is you will want another, and another and another………….They are frighteningly addictive!!!

You need to be extremely careful when choosing a breeder. The biggest safeguard you can have is doing your homework thoroughly before even approaching a breeder. The fact that a breeder may be a member of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain or the Scottish Siberian Husky Club is no guarantee that the breeder is ethical. Nor is membership of the Kennel Club accredited breeder scheme. Over the years, we have come across some appalling puppy farmers who have been members of these organisations.

Have you thought about rehoming a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy? If you are interested, look at the Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK) website. SHWA(UK) is the biggest Siberian Husky Welfare organisation in the UK - find us at: Home for www.huskywelfare.org.uk

Hope that is helpful. If you would like any further help/advice/information, don't hesitate to PM or e-mail me.

Mick

__________________
DREAMCATCHER SIBERIAN HUSKIES
Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK)
"For I am a raindog too!" - Tom Waits
"Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see" - Benjamin Franklin
"As long as people believe in absurdities they will continue to commit atrocities" - Voltaire

I would suggest trying your local shelter if they have any husky for adoption...

__________________
Dan ~ 1 1/2 yr old Dachshund
George ~ 3 yr old Border Collie

thanks for that mick...
my other halfs family just got a puppy called suki and ever since reading about breeders online i have not been sure if the breeder was in it for the money or not so im hesitant on going back to her for ours..
mind you i have got a while befor i am able to get one of my own anyway so pleanty of time to research them.
ive been told to ask have you got any advice on how to get puppies to 'poop' outside rather than all over the house...it seemed to be going well for a while getting the pup to go in the one place but shes now reverted back to anywhere she pleases haha

thank you

Hey ya, Me and my family just got a siberian husky last week. We done alot of research into the breed befor we did so. Siberian husky are a very active breed they make great family dogs! if you have a garden make sure you secure it well cause the sibe is a great escape artist and have a high pray instinct so will go for any small fury animal. DO NOT TAKE THE SIBERIAN HUSKY OFF THE LEAD! I cant stress that enough. To find a good breeder i would suggest you look up Kennal Club as all pups you get from there will com KC reg. I wish you luck in finding the dog for you.