Huskies

John_Rambo

I'm normally very much of the attitude of blame the deed, not the breed...

But

Twenty years ago, there were very very few huskies in Ireland. Now they are very fashionable and common. Surely the gene pool has been fairly shallow? I believe it is. I'm sure there are introduced bloodlines from abroad, but there are chancers out there.

Aside from that, I have seen a lot of people that work full time, long hours spending big money on Siberian and Alaskan dogs as their first pet. I'm sure these folk have the best intentions, but, taking in to consideration the nature of these intelligent, high energy, strong dogs that are bred for hard work with a strong hunt instinct do any of you worry about the outcome of these dogs and how they'll react? Inbreeding, cooped up for eight to ten hours a day, lots of instinct, muscle and energy?

Honest question. No malice towards huskies or husky owners intended, but it's an issue that may need to be talked about.

(Background I used to foster by accident in a fairly small way and I've had a bull terrier, a gundog, an old English sheepdog and a bull mastiff and a sibe-husky. I found the sibe-husky very challenging)

are you serious

John_Rambo wrote: »

I'm normally very much of the attitude of blame the deed, not the breed...

But

Twenty years ago, there were very very few huskies in Ireland. Now they are very fashionable and common. Surely the gene pool has been fairly shallow? I believe it is. I'm sure there are introduced bloodlines from abroad, but there are chancers out there.

Aside from that, I have seen a lot of people that work full time, long hours spending big money on Siberian and Alaskan dogs as their first pet. I'm sure these folk have the best intentions, but, taking in to consideration the nature of these intelligent, high energy, strong dogs that are bred for hard work with a strong hunt instinct do any of you worry about the outcome of these dogs and how they'll react? Inbreeding, cooped up for eight to ten hours a day, lots of instinct, muscle and energy?

Honest question. No malice towards huskies or husky owners intended, but it's an issue that may need to be talked about.

(Background I used to foster by accident in a fairly small way and I've had a bull terrier, a gundog, an old English sheepdog and a bull mastiff and a sibe-husky. I found the sibe-husky very challenging)

Worry in what way exactly?

I'm not being smart or trying to be funny but the way I'm reading your message I can't help but think you are half suggesting all of the dogs of this type will one day break loose from their homes group up together in some sort of pack and cause serious damage...?

Is it just too late in the day/night and I need sleep or does anyone else read that the same way?

blaaah

are you serious wrote: »

Worry in what way exactly?

I'm not being smart or trying to be funny but the way I'm reading your message I can't help but think you are half suggesting all of the dogs of this type will one day break loose from their homes group up together in some sort of pack and cause serious damage...?

Is it just too late in the day/night and I need sleep or does anyone else read that the same way?

I don't read it like that. Maybe a scale down version of what you said. I think he is just opening thoughts on how Huskies have become one of the dominant dog breeds in Ireland and that maybe more awareness should be made. For example, their background, high energy etc could be noted more as it's the reason ppl end up having huskies and then give them away because they are high maintenance.

With that said the question put to us is strangley worded. I got the vibe that all these dogs will end up hurting or biting ppl because of lack of exercise. Which I wouldn't entirely agree with. They are different from other dogs in the above ways but any experience with Huskies I've had is that they are so gentle around humans.

I would be more in fear of the owner or handler upsetting the dog rather than the dog itself acting out. Teach the humans imo would be a great way to start if ppl are concerned.

muddypaws

Puppy farmed to the extreme, so yes, generally a very small gene pool. Reputable breeders that bring in new lines from overseas tend to be more careful with whom they sell the pups to.

As breeds, both sibes and mals should be people friendly but high prey drive and lots of energy can cause issues, as well as breeding practices of puppy farmers, with no socialisation of pups etc. It is why pounds and rescues have so many handed in or found straying unfortunately.

I don't know what the answer is unfortunately, I had hoped that the lower selling price would stop the puppy farmers, but that doesn't seem to have happened. Maybe they just have more litters to make their money? I know one puppy farmer in Donegal that just handed the older pups that he couldn't sell into the pound, next litter wasn't long coming though, younger pups are cuter and easier to sell

Hooked

Ya, I feel the puppy farming is the biggest problem piece of this puzzle BUT the buyers have to take their potion of the the blame. People who buy cheap, poorly bred puppies from backyard breeders get what they pay for. It may sound harsh, but it's the truth - in my opinion. If there weren't the demand, the supply would consequently run low.

Poorly bred puppies, improperly socialised and released for sale too early make for a different 'adult dog'.

Properly bred pups (like our 2) from far wider bloodlines, with correct rearing and IKC papers and associated tests may cost a lot more BUT they make for a completely different Sibe.

Moreover, the exercise, feeding and socialising of Huskies (or any other breed) is paramount to their well being and overall temperament.

John_Rambo

blaaah wrote: »

I think he is just opening thoughts on how Huskies have become one of the dominant dog breeds in Ireland and that maybe more awareness should be made. For example, their background, high energy etc could be noted more as it's the reason ppl end up having huskies and then give them away because they are high maintenance.

With that said the question put to us is strangley worded. I got the vibe that all these dogs will end up hurting or biting ppl because of lack of exercise. Which I wouldn't entirely agree with. They are different from other dogs in the above ways but any experience with Huskies I've had is that they are so gentle around humans

Sorry I'm just getting back to this now, and sorry it's strangely worded, you are correct, I was opening thoughts on the massive growth in husky ownership in the last few years, and, yes I feel they are a tough dog to own and a lot of people are desperate to get their hands on one. I know someone that was deemed unsuitable to own a small dog by a rescue. So, they went out and bought a Husky from donedeal.

I do feel that inbreeding is a big problem within and outside the IKC and all the above will lead to huskies misbehaving and causing damage or injuries.

Puppy farms never entered my head, but I'd imagine they will be nothing but add to a problem.

DBB

When I was a kid many moons ago, German Shepherds were all the rage, and since then, different breeds have had their popularity heyday. Right now it's the Huskies and Malamutes, but this too will pass.
That said, they do seem to be exceptionally common, and are even leading people to go one better and go for the various wolfdog breeds... which is all going to end in tears if you ask me.
Like any popular breed, you can be sure that responsible breeders of Sibes and Mals are very rare creatures in Ireland, and that the vast majority of dogs you see about the place were born in a puppy farm or back-yard breeder set-up.

Whispered

I think aside from the breeding problem and small gene pool, wherever you have an intelligent breed built for stamina and hard work then put them in the hands of owners who don't socialise or exercise enough you are going to get problems. It doesn't matter what the breed is, if basic needs aren't being met.

muddypaws

John_Rambo wrote: »

Puppy farms never entered my head, but I'd imagine they will be nothing but add to a problem.

I find it a wee bit confusing that you hadn't considered puppy farmers. Where did you think all of these dogs were coming from? Trust me, the problem is not reputable breeders, it is puppy farmers and back yard breeders who will sell to anyone that is willing to pay.

Off the top of my head, I can think of reputable kennels that have used Polish, American, Swedish and GB dogs to expand the gene pool on this island in the last few years.

mymo

Last christmas I saw at least 6 husky/mal pups in my town, I currently only meet one husky boy (who's very well behaved if a bit bouncy still as he just turned 1) and one Mal boy who is about 5 now, and im out with my dogs a lot. No idea if any of these pups are still around, but once it got to about march, I didn't see many of these pups.
One young guy told me he paid €50 for his pup and it mother was part wolf, breeder said he just wanted a good home. To me the dog looked like a cross of some sort and clearly had hip trouble and I think one of his knees was bad as he kept hop/skipping, only saw the dog twice, not since.
Its sad that people can breed any dogs, without health testing and socialisation, just basic food, shelter and water, and get away with it.
With all the info out there now there's no excuse for people buying these dogs, other than they want a cheap dog, and don't care about anything else.

Hooked

50 quid? Jesus wept!

I'd be ashamed to admit how much our 2 cost us... But with lines from Spain, Norway and Canada (among others) and their dad being the top Sibe in the country (as well as Uk and int champion) 2 or 3 years in a row, you get what you pay for. Our 2 are simply the best.

An ounce of breeding is worth a tonne of feeding.

mymo

Exactly hooked, this poor pup looked awful, and clearly wasn't pure bred, but looked the part and this young lad fell for it. I've never seen such a bad gait on a dog, he looked awful, his legs were even bowed in at the back.
It was so sad, and made me very angry.