First time posting, but I've been looking at Huskies for a little bit now and done a fair amount of research (this forum has answered virtually all of my questions so thank you!) I ran across a post about rescuing a husky (they saved a litter from Mexico and had a few left) but the owners do not have papers, so I was wondering the risks I was incurring by going this route. I unfortunately cannot afford a pup from a top breeder at this time, and this seemed like a way to help a husky, and get a dog for a more affordable price. I (hopefully) linked a picture of her and I was wanting opinions on if there are any concerns i should have? Thanks guys and gals







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I would want to know how they "saved" these puppies. Do they have the parents or have these puppies been without their parents from an early age?

Well, M Cooper, what concerns could you have?  
<excuse my sarcastic tone, it's not directed at you but at the breeder (used loosely)>
You have no idea of their genetic history so you don't know whether their line is apt to have any of the, thankfully few, defects found in the breed.  Hip dysplasia being at the top of the list, followed by a few eye problems ... but if she's inexpensive then that's all that matters.

Were the puppies allowed to mature with their litter mates - say up till 8-10 weeks or so?  From that picture, I'd say not.  That opens a whole other can of worms.  Bite inhibition being the, in my mind, major one but the pups haven't had a chance to learn all the 'doggy personality' stuff they should have.

To top it all off, while you say these puppies were "saved", if you buy one, you're simply giving the 'breeder' another reason to breed again and again - a puppy mill.

I know it's rough to look at a little bundle of joy, like that cutey, and not want to take it home - but in the long run, you're doing the pup a good service and the breed a major disservice.  If you're really looking for a good puppy, give us some idea of where you are and we can, normally, guide you to a good breeder whose price you can afford.

Alright thanks everyone, I tend to be a generally trusting person so I could easily fall for things. I live in Texas, specifically the Dallas area but I'm willing to travel throughout most of Texas/Oklahoma area to find the right breeder

Welcome to the forum.....here is a list from The Siberian Husky Club of America, lists quality breeders in most states, great place to start. http://www.shca.org/shcahp4f.htm

I'll take my "Mr Curmudgeon" hat off now.  That list that Renee sent you is a good place to start and most good breeders are more than willing to help you.  Huskies, if you're not aware of it, are *NOT* like any other breed of dog I've owned - and I'm 70 so I've more than a few over the years.

If you're certain that you want a puppy then these breeders will help you make a choice from their litters, or if you ask nicely can direct you to someone who is a good breeder and has "pet quality" pups available (which will generally run considerably less than show quality.)

What I'd ask you to consider though is looking at the pups who are shelters and need a new home.  Okay, you don't get the fancy papers that say the pups are supposed to be "pure bred", but if you're looking for a companion and aren't going to race or show them then something like RescueMe.Org or PetFinder are great places to start. (For some reason Carrolton has a plethora of dogs listed in PetFinder.)

In any case, come back and let us know how you're doing in your search, would you please?

You truly have to look at the bigger picture and not just the cost of the puppy itself. Can you also afford food, toys, a kennel, vetting for a puppy which can run another $300~, as well as the eventual spay or neuter which can range anywhere from $100-500 depending on the vet?

Getting a puppy is a commitment, one which continues after the initial purchase of the puppy. You can never truly go the "cheap/affordable" route when you get a puppy because there will always be expenses associated with having a pet.

Oh, Ashleigh, you're so right on that. When I typed my note I was thinking only of the initial cost of bringing a pup home - but yeh, they can get expensive. I've been lucky that mine are healthy and vet check out well - but I know others here who haven't been so fortunate.

It's sad that people see the puppy and don't think about the years of enjoyment they'll share - until the day 15 years or so later when they wish they could do anything to make it just one day more.

Ashleigh, right on...I call it pay now or pay later. I will add to Al's advice on that there are so many animals in rescue. Texas has 2 wonderful sled dog rescues, and they are always full to capacity and are always looking for fosters.

simplify wrote:

You truly have to look at the bigger picture and not just the cost of the puppy itself. Can you also afford food, toys, a kennel, vetting for a puppy which can run another $300~, as well as the eventual spay or neuter which can range anywhere from $100-500 depending on the vet?

Getting a puppy is a commitment, one which continues after the initial purchase of the puppy. You can never truly go the "cheap/affordable" route when you get a puppy because there will always be expenses associated with having a pet.

So right on that - when we got Ami, he was a year old, eating Iams 2 C per day and weighed 59 pounds. I budgeted 25 per month for food...fast forward 3 years, he can't eat the Iams because he does not digest the corn and gets pudding poop. He grew...way more than I expected and is now an oversized husky at a healthy 70 ish pounds, needs a grain feed food and costs me about 50 per month in Taste of the Wild and another 10 in bags of beef bones. Add 100 or so in parasite control (heartworm, fleas, ticks and intestinal worms) a yearly vet exam in the 60 ish range...and that doesn't include vaccinations (rabies every 3 years after the initial puppy) That's with NO illnesses or injuries, no toys. I need a new leash every 12-18 months, tags lose their readability after a while and need to be replaced, yearly license fees. One to two bales of straw per year for outside bedding (he sleeps inside at night but prefers to be outside during the day. He'd like to be out 24/7 but I want him where I can monitor over night.)

Then there was the 500. in invisible fence (self installed), the 180. for eCollar. Not to forget the multiple dog beds I purchased and he destroyed (he now sleeps on the rug at the foot of our bed or at the foot of the stairs, not buying any more dog beds!!! Might as well just put the dollar bills in the shredder, would be more efficient )

Or the doggie daycare fees while traveling (or boarding fees if you don't take him with you.) And if you don't like Red Roof Inn or LaQuinta, the extra hotel fees for a dog ($25 at a Quality Inn in Ohio)

I got my crate free as a hand me down from DIL's parents - that can be an added expense. As well as any furniture coverings/car seat covers...or the scratch on son's brand new car...

You get the point...the expenses do add up and they don't end with food.

But - he's worth it. Every single day I marvel that this wonderful animal is mine

I've be vary careful about getting a 'rescue' from a post online.
If you want to get a puppy, or a dog, and can't afford a breeder, but can afford the obligation (as others have stated, pets are not cheap. Bowls, food, medication, vet appointments, medical treatments, collars, toys, fixing damage done by puppies, etc all adds up), I suggest a shelter. Shelters and actual rescue operations are great places to get animals. They will be able to tell you about the dog, their temperament, and hopefully the basic breed info. They may also (depending on the operation) be able to help with some things such as getting the dog chipped, spayed, or neutered.

My last two dogs (including a Husky) have been rescue/shelter doggies and they are great animals.

I have noised around craigslist, facebook posts, and even newspaper classifieds, and I don't think I would ever get an animal from those sources. First off it may be a puppy mill that is trying to avoid the negative reputation and acting like they aren't the source. Secondly, a lot of these places end up wanting nearly as much as a reputable breeder in the end (450 rehoming fee, 100 adoption fee, 50 chip update fee, plus 200 for his crate, toys and food). And lastly, a lot of them can be scams set up to rob you of your hard earned cash(wire me the $200 rehoming fee plus a $450 transportation fee and I'll have him on the next plane to your town).
Seriously, poke around the craigslist adds a bit. You'll see reused pictures, copy and paste language from post to post, obvious mistakes (subject line says 2 male husky dogs, but body of the post talks about female dogs and describes a different breed all together).

Any dog, even from a reputable breeder is at risk of having issues. But my shelter dogs have so far been the healthiest, strongest, most durable dogs I've had or interacted with.

As others have said, Huskies are a special breed of dog. They are a high need dog, and are one of the most common abandoned dogs due to the level of attention they take. If this is your first dog ever, I would not suggest a Husky.

Hi i am new to this forum and i have a question.Last month i got a husky from shelter and i am curious if this is real husky or mix because of asymmetrical face pattern

Huskies can have a whole host of facial patterns. They do not have to be symmetrical. He looks pure to me. As he grows it will be easier to tell. Right now the only thing I see that might suggest a mix is his ears because they are farther set and rounded more, but at his age he could grow into them and they could change.

I agree with Jenn, looks pure, if there is a mix, I would bet on malamute x husky, mals have wider ear placement and rounder ears. Once he is grown it will be easier to tell. Awesome looking pup you got.