Hello, just starting out here, have read and lurked for a while but I have some questions. 9 or so months ago I had to put down my 14 year old yellow lab, since then I've thought long and hard about if I was ready for another dog and the commitment that goes with that. I am not entirely new to siberians as a breed. Grew up with a few in the neighborhood and my best friends family had one growing up. I'm well aware of the intensive requirements that the breed requires, and am ready to make that commitment but as my research is still ongoing I thought it best to ask those who have experience. My biggest concern is my current living space. I'm in a relatively small studio apartment, now normally I would be adamantly opposed to this situation with any breed let alone a Sibe, my situation differs in a few ways. The only time spent home is to sleep, shower eat etc. If not at work I'm outside hiking or fishing. I'm somewhat of a reclusive introvert and with past animals they have tended to be my one and only companion I see everyday or more than once a month for that matter. The next piece to consider is that the dog will be able to come to work with me everyday, no exceptions. Our shop is located on 3 fenced acres but alongside the building we have a heavily fenced and large dog run for those times when I wouldn't be able to keep a closer eye out. The dog can actually be inside and around people during work hours if it doesn't mind the hustle and bustle, and without risk to it's health but that would largely be based on the particular animals personality/reaction/desire to come in. I'm just looking for a new lifetime companion to spend my time with, and have forever wanted a husky but was never in the "ideal situation" to have one. Be assured that it wouldn't be left alone not would it be confined to the indoors for any substantial period of time. My next question if people don't see a problem with this situation pertains to getting the dog. As cute as puppies are and as much as I would love one I know there are many Sibes in rescue shelters, and I would very much love to give one a forever home where it can be loved and enjoy life, but am a bit worried if trying to train/retrain a husky may be more than you would recommend for a first time Sibe owner. Anyways sorry for the length, and hope to hear from some of you soon!
-JD

I guess I'm really just looking to see if this sounds reasonable. And if not I want to hear it.

Hello, Thanks for joining and posting your questions. It's great that you are doing research and inquiring about the breed.  You are ABSOLUTELY justified in worrying about your ability to care for a Husky, especially for the first time. They are a very high maintenance and difficult to fulfill breed, undoubtedly.  You definitely made a good decision to pose your questions here.

First things first, the size of your living space is a bit exaggerated in the warning about which breeds to get or not get. The overwhelming majority of the time a dog spends at home is spent curled up sleeping either on, beneath,  or near their owner. Dogs don't run indoors. Do they get zoomies when they are frustrated with pent up energy and anxiety?  Absolutely.   But, the lesson to be learned there is don't frustrate your dog or let them have built up anxiety,  not to have a giant home so they can have proper zoomies.  That said, if your dog can't have zoomies, that dog will probably just eat your possessions instead.  So be warned about that.

One of our most well respected regulars on here who has an extremely fulfilled Husky raised him in a less than 500 sq foot apartment in Manhattan.  It can be done.

You will just have to be extraordinarily disciplined with your routine and your scheduling of taking your dog out and REGULARLY exercising her/him.  Your margin for error will be smaller with a smaller space. But, at the same time, house training and boundary training will conversely be easier in a smaller space.

As for rescuing versus a puppy,  do you have guilt about not rescuing if you buy a puppy?  If so, you're gonna have to work that out on your own. You should consider though,  if you buy a puppy, you should go to a reputable,  respected breeder;  the type of breeder not responsible for increasing the population of shelters. Bad breeders populate shelters , not good breeders. Just consider that in your thought process.

Personally,  I found it imperative to get a puppy because I wanted to proactively set the foundation for my dog,  as opposed to having to work or train against a preexisting foundation.  It was as simple as that for me.

I guess the only thing I feel compelled to warn you against or at least ask you to elaborate on is whether a Husky is appropriate for you considering how you are looking for a specific type of companionship to fulfill what sounds like is some loneliness? ?

I personally think a Husky is a bad choice for lonely people looking for companionship.  When we think of the love a dog provides and the loyalty and the snuggles and the devotion and the desire to please ....etc, that's typically not a Husky. Yes, there are Huskies like that, but I think saying they are generally would be irresponsible.  

I guess I would just say really study and evaluate the personality of a Husky and deliberate whether or not that will be fulfilling for you.

Other than that, based on everything else you've shared I see no reason why you should not get a Husky.

First, I'm sorry you had to put down such an old companion, that's never easy.

Jeff and I often seem to have the same thing to say - differently - so let's go.

As you can see from my profile, over there <-----, I'm probably one of the more aged members of the forum, one for whom Husky's are typically "not a good fit" and I've got two!  I've had large dogs most of my life (large as in GSD's and labs) with the occasional spaniel tossed in for good measure.

Enough about me, now for my comments.

The fact that you are questioning whether a Husky is workable for you is a bit of a red flag to me.  You've said that you have some second hand experience - that's good, that means that you have some idea of what you're getting into!  But the reality of a Husky is a lot different from the concept.  That you're asking questions - and pointed, meaningful question relieves some of my apprehension.

Generally speaking, the personalities of the two breeds is different ( and take that as an understatement ) however, I think it also has a lot to do with the personality of the owner.  Many of our members are outgoing (and out going!) so their dogs are as well - it just follows that if you're out hiking, climbing, meeting people then your dog will adapt to your life style.

On the other hand, I'm a recluse, much more apt to be on the computer than being out and about; I'm also a very, very laid back type of person.  It takes a bit to get me upset or anxious (but when I do ... well ...) and my dogs are both as easy going and laid back as I am.  That isn't to say that they don't get some exercise (though not as much as they need nor as much as I'd like to give them, [my bad]) and the evening case of "let's play" is common and accepted - up to a point.  Both of mine know that they can instigate a case of the zoomies and dad's just going to look on and laugh.  

All that said, if you're easy going I'd bet that any dog you have will be as well; if you're active I'd think that your companion, at the end of the day, will willingly set back and relax with you, whether that's in a 28ft travel trailer or an 80 x 16 foot trailer (I've lived with a Husky in both).

Given that your friend will have ample opportunity to be a "people" dog from the time he spends with you at work, consistent training in the early stages will be required - no one likes a dog "in their face" and a Husky can figuratively and literally be in your face without the right training and exercise.  The contact with others at work is a major plus in my book.  It provides the contact that Husky's want and you with the opportunity to have a "nice" Husky if you're consistent with making sure that some activities are acceptable and others aren't with both the dog and your fellow employees!

As a matter of course, I rescue my companions - have for 30+ years - so I encourage you to look there.  Two major reasons; you'll have the opportunity to see the personality of the dog you're considering, you'll have a pretty good idea of whether he'll "fit"; you also don't have to try to house train a puppy, which with your stated life style could be problematic.  On the other hand, there's nothing like the antics of a puppy growing up to make it all more enjoyable.

Do I think you're a fit - I'd have to say I do.  Your forethought about the companion you're thinking about bringing into your life speak quite well of you personally and your preparedness for the friend.  Do I think you'll have some frustrations? Coming from a lab to a Husky, yep, sure do, they're are very different dogs and you're used to a lab and a Husky, I guarantee, will present a different set of challenges.  I also tend to think that you're ready for them.

Good luck!!

Thank you both for your thorough responses, gives me a lot to think about. In regards to my questions about the breed and my ability to care for one, I just want to ensure that my situation wouldn't be cruel to the animal. I'm not the type of person to back down from something because it's difficult. I can assure you that the dog wouldn't wind up back in a rescue situation, I was just concerned due to my small home size mostly and if the taking him to work daily would be a red flag as I know they tend to be independant. I know sometimes they need their own space and even at work that will be available to the dog if it wants space. As for the companionship and lonileness I should have been more clear, I'm an introvert, I require large amounts of time away from friends and family to function. My dog was always different, the bond/connection is different, but I by no means expect it to be a cuddly lap dog or constantly show or want effect ion all the time. In fact the independant mentality sounds nice, It's just nice having something else breathing and sleeping in the same space and to have someone/thing to share my time outdoors without the need for meaningless conversation. I tend to get on better with animals than people most of the time and maybe wrongly tend to be more attached and care more for my dogs than my fellow bipedals.
I have actually been going to the local shelter and getting to know a few dogs to try and ascertain if it seems like the right fit, one in particular seems very even keeled, he seems great around other people and the other dogs. He definitely needs some training but that's what I expect with any dog let alone a rescue. He's only 10 months old, and to my understanding he was brought in after eating some of his owners chickens which he kept in the same yard unseggragated. He was left 12-14 hrs a day when the owner was at work and his exercise was mostly limited to running around the yard with no other substantial mental or physical stimulus. Just curious if this raises any red flags but to my understanding just sounds like a normal part of the prey drive and understimulus?
I have no opposition to a new puppy from a reputable breeder but part of me really does feel like these shelter dogs deserve another chance at a happy life. Anyway, thank you again for your thorough response and wiling ness to answer my questions.
JD

Okay, so that situation with the dog left unattended for over half the day alone and bored in a yard with chickens and freedom to run around? ? That's dog abuse.

A dog living in a tiny apartment with zero room to run, but bonded to a person with companionship and daily physical and mental stimulation?? That's a dog living the dream.

That's just how I see it.

We're a good tag team Al

I'm not going to add much to what Jeff and Al said, but we live in a 600 square foot house, me, my husband, our 14.5 year old cat and Miya. It's not what you do inside, it's what you do outside. I think you have a good handle on the needs of a husky, they are adaptable. Having your huskies needs met is far more important than the size of your home. So from personal experience, you can do it, and still have your home intact.

I have zero input on puppy vs rescue, to me it makes no difference, although I commend you for taking an interest in a rescue. A 10 month old is still a puppy, and shouldn't have many issues to sort out.

Welcome to the forum, I am eager to see what you end up with, and we all love pics here, so when you get you guy or girl, pics please

Lol, I had to wreck your tag team......It's hard to follow you two, haha, you both always have great responses!!