Any theories on why huskies compared to other breeds are content with lying on hard wooden floors or even concrete? I know other breeds will jump for the bed or soft dog beds, but my husky seems to prefer lying on hard surfaces.

I think one reason is that hard surfaces are generally cooler.

I'm with you on this one.  Sasha much prefers the tile floor to the rugs, Sky will push the pads in her crate around so that she's using them for a pillow while she's laying on the plastic floor of the crate.  

My take on this is these are cooler spots and are more comfortable for them; carpet or pads trap the heat under them and, I'm guessing, are more uncomfortable.

I've been tempted to try a raised bed but I'm not sure I want to invest the money into something they'd not use.  Others here, I think, do use them, maybe they'll give us some comments.

(( Jimmy's not very talkative today ... ))

Anybody think lying on harder surfaces will increase their risk for arthritis later in life?

And speaking of raised beds, anybody on here like the Kuranda beds? I am thinking about purchasing one for Bacchus.

aljones wrote:

I'm with you on this one.  Sasha much prefers the tile floor to the rugs, Sky will push the pads in her crate around so that she's using them for a pillow while she's laying on the plastic floor of the crate.  

My take on this is these are cooler spots and are more comfortable for them; carpet or pads trap the heat under them and, I'm guessing, are more uncomfortable.

I've been tempted to try a raised bed but I'm not sure I want to invest the money into something they'd not use.  Others here, I think, do use them, maybe they'll give us some comments.

(( Jimmy's not very talkative today ... ))

Al, pick up a pallet or two and rework. Also, I inadvertantly hit the exclamation point. Don't know what that means. New phone. Tiny!

Amy, my imagination thinks it understands what you're saying, but would you elucidate just a bit. please.

If you mean the exclamation mark in the upper right, that's to report a post - I haven't seen any reports so you didn't break anything.

I don't like small screens ... I'm enjoying my RCA tablet which I've had for about 1.5 years now.  Enough so that I sent one to the son of a friend of mine who's been grousing that he doesn't get any computer time (four members in the family, one computer, two parental phones - I was sympathetic)  They are very inexpensive (as in less than $100), have a touch screen and a real keyboard. The only lack is GPS ... I can live with that.  See this add for specs.
I use mine as a bookreader; have MS Office installed; have an OBDII reader that interfaces via Bluetooth (sporadic "Check Engine Light" which of course hasn't come on since I got the OBDII transmitter)

That was exactly what I was talking about.  Glad I didn't malign you.

As for small screens, I much prefer the PC with the desk chair, full size screen and keyboard.  Bit, since att came out with unlimited data with 10 GB allowed for tethering or hotspot, and Josh's family plan is att with Wayne on his plan already, it made sense for me to get a smart phone and join his plan.  For an extra $8 a month, we increase our data to a total of 32 GB per month.  So now I'm getting used to this phone.  The volume,   call quality and menus are much better.  The camera not.  Go figure, the Samsung rugby had a 3 mp camera, this Kyocera has 8 mp but is nowhere near as good.

Unless you are made of money, I wouldn't suggest buying a raised bed, at least not until you try something out.
Grab some PVC pipe, or spare lumber sitting around, or grab a free pallet from a local business. Craft up your own version and see if they are even interested in it. I've seen many dogs refuse to use them, and I've seen many more end up using them as expensive chew toys.

Dogs typically like to sleep on cool surfaces, and the dog is going to lay down where they are comfortable. If it hurt the dog to lay on a hard surface, they probably wouldn't do it. If the dog has options (bed, blankets, carpet, etc) and is choosing the hard surface, I wouldn't get in it's way.

The only time I'd be concerned is if I knew the dog already had joint issues, or if it was a particularly large dog. A healthy husky probably doesn't have much to worry about.