Siberian Husky: a dog that is definitely not for everyone

Because of their physical resemblance to the wolves that often appear in the popular series Game of Thrones, irresponsible individuals are getting Siberian Huskies as pets

The Husky, a breed whose looks recall a wolf, is appearing more and more often on the list of unwanted dogs that owners throw out onto the street.

The reason? Because of their physical resemblance to the wolves that often appear in the popular series Game of Thrones, and in films such as the Twilight saga, irresponsible individuals are getting Siberian Huskies as pets. Once they realise how demanding the breed is, irresponsible owners throw them out onto the street.

Members of the animal welfare charity Blue Cross are warning about the problem, which is particularly widespread in the United Kingdom. They say that the number of abandoned Huskies, and of the similar-looking Alaskan Malamutes, has risen by 700 percent in the last five years.

"Very often, once people get a Husky, they have neither the will nor the time to look after the puppy. For example, the dog may cause damage in the flat (chewing furniture and destroying other things around the home). The owners do not like that, so their pet often ends up chained behind the house, shut in a kennel run, or simply thrown out onto the street because they can no longer, or no longer want to, cope with that obligation," Kapić continues.

The ideal set-up for a Husky is a fenced yard with access to the house. It is a pack breed and likes to be close to the family it lives with. A flat is also fine, provided the dog gets a certain amount of daily activity.

"The ideal owners for this breed are active people with a strong character who are consistent in their training! It is often said: a tired Husky is a happy Husky, and that is certainly true. Once the dog has met its daily need for exercise (genetics are genetics, these dogs were made to cover long distances), for the rest of the day you will have a wonderful, affectionate dog," Jelena Kapić told us.

She adds that responsible Husky owners often train canicross (handler and dog running together) or bikejoring (training with a bicycle) with their dogs.

The biggest mistake

"The biggest mistake when choosing a breed or a particular puppy is putting one thing first: THE DOG'S LOOKS, while prospective owners set temperament aside or do not care about it at all. What matters to them is that the puppy has blue eyes," says the Husky owner.

She adds that because of this way of thinking, more and more puppies and adult dogs end up in shelters or on the street.

A strong character

"The Husky is an intelligent breed, and that very intelligence is often the reason owners cannot cope with them. This dog's character is so strong that it will think two or even three times before doing what the owner asks. If it decides it does not like that command at that moment, it may well not carry it out," continues the experienced Siberian Husky owner.

The Husky's character really comes to the fore in adolescence. At that point it becomes anything but sweet.

"Of course, a dog's character is shaped by the owner's own effort and by their wish to socialise the dog for life in an urban environment, so that its life within the family is as natural and cheerful as possible," breeder Kapić continues.

What to look for when choosing a dog?

"A lot of attention should go into studying the temperaments of the puppies in the litter and consulting the breeder about which temperament suits the owner's needs. A calm puppy is best suited to a quiet family lifestyle, while an active puppy suits owners who lead an active life in which they can include the dog and enjoy it together," Kapić explains.

In closing:

Because of its sociable and friendly nature, the Husky is not a breed suited to being a guard dog. They are cheerful by nature and enjoy the company of other dogs. If you socialise the puppy in time, walks in the park will not be a problem.

However, if you do not give the dog plenty of exercise and time for training, and that for the 10 to 15 years this breed lives, you could run into problems.

It is also important that this breed, like any other, is never bought as a gift for a child! A puppy or dog should never be left with a child without adult supervision, no matter how much the dog and the child love each other!

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