Hello all! I'm new to the forum and I've been lurking around quite a bit, both here and some other Husky related places. I'm willing to travel around a 7/8 hour distance and I've looked into a few breeders in MI (karnovanda, zorba ((I've heard questionable things about this one)), qudos, etc) and I've sent a message their way (still waiting on responses). I've looked into a few other places in WI as well (Happy Huskies, Max Haven), but A lot of people seem to require a deposit before the puppies are even born. Are deposits typically sent before the litter is even born (any info here would be great, this would be the first time I'm trying to buy a puppy). I'm also primarily looking for huskies on the redder side, but temperament plays a far more important role than colour does.

Thank you in advance!

I believe the better kennels do require a deposit as well as usually have a waiting list. Hopefully others here will chime in as I am only replying based on what I have read.

Yes, deposits are sent before the litter is even born. You are put on a list then, in order of deposits received, and anyone before you has their choice of pup before you do. Most breeders do let you roll over your deposit to the next litter though, so if you are not seeing what you'd prefer in the existing litter, your deposit isn't lost and you're not obligated to having to choose one from the litter already born. With reputable breeders, having few litters a year, and usually a waiting list, it can sometimes be awhile, so its a good idea to settle on the breeder you like best and get started. Many people go in wanting a certain color, or a certain gender, etc. but often that can change. I was lucky with my boy in that the people before me were wanting either a girl and/or a red, so I was able to just scoop him up, but with my girl, I waited a year and there was some nail biting going on because there was a woman on the list ahead of me who kept going back and forth on the girls and she *almost* took my little Mishka.

I can tell you right now that Happy Huskies and Max Haven are not reputable breeders.

Karnovanda, Qudos are very reputable breeders (Zorba looks like they do the right things but if you've heard bad things? then don't go with them). You want a breeder that is doing conformation, health testing, and is either a part of the SHCA or a local breed club/kennel club.

It's not uncommon even for a reputable breeder to require a deposit on a litter before it's born. It's a commitment / placeholder basically.

My view on deposits: I've been very fortunate to be trusted with two Karnovanda Huskies. Grant was one of four boys I chose from in the litter--after requesting a girl, I called to change my mind based upon learning there were no available girls born, and I've never regretted it.

Sophia is coming home in January and was the only girl in the litter. I sent my deposit months ahead of time and am so relieved I did.

As others have mentioned, few litters are born to serious breeders, so there is a waiting list. The breeders endorsed here are reputable. Plus, the planning allows a future family the chance to be certain they can provide a forever home, which works out well all the way around. I'd go to the moon for Grant, so it was worth it for me.

Thank you all for the response. I think I'll wait for the responses and see where they go from there! I don't mind the wait, but at the same time it's definitely painful!

Is there a reason you are looking at a breeder? Are you planning to run a show dog? Will the dog be doing some sort of certain task or activity that may require a certain breed standard?

If you have something specific in mind, then by all means, go with a breeder. But a cheaper, more immediate answer might be looking at rescues and shelters in your area. You can often find great dogs at shelters that will do everything that a breeder's dog can do. There are so many great dogs in shelters that I could never imagine going to a breeder.

Yes, you run a risk with some things that you usually won't from a breeder, but it's worth that risk in my mind.

Just something to think about.

Yeah, I've looked into several husky rescues, but the issue with that is I don't exactly have a fence and most, if not all, husky rescues tend to turn people down for that reason alone. Another huge thing was I wanted a puppy to raise it around cats so they can be used to one another and that's particularly hard to do when most dogs in a shelter cannot be around cats.

I know shelters are also really important, I'm signed up for fostering if that's ever a chance thrown my way, but again I'm thinking the fence thing will bar me regardless as it has before.

Miirr wrote:

Yeah, I've looked into several husky rescues, but the issue with that is I don't exactly have a fence and most, if not all, husky rescues tend to turn people down for that reason alone. Another huge thing was I wanted a puppy to raise it around cats so they can be used to one another and that's particularly hard to do when most dogs in a shelter cannot be around cats.

I know shelters are also really important, I'm signed up for fostering if that's ever a chance thrown my way, but again I'm thinking the fence thing will bar me regardless as it has before.

My reasons for not going through a rescue were very similar. This house would NEVER pass a rescue's inspection for adopting a husky. I can also understand your reasoning with the cats. With a Husky though, you will need a fence. Huskies are really not a breed like some of the others, where you can train them to stay in a certain area and trust them to stay there. It only takes one bunny to run by and they forget any training they have learned, and they are gone. I actually trust my two not to go anywhere should the opportunity present itself, but I never want to test my theory. Even in my fenced backyard, I'm out there with them the entire time. im not lecturing, so I hope you don't feel that I am, I just want you to have your husky a long long time should you have to wait on a list for awhile, good use of that time would be securing the yard somehow. Probably make the time fly by faster too! Haha

Quote :

My reasons for not going through a rescue were very similar. This house would NEVER pass a rescue's inspection for adopting a husky. I can also understand your reasoning with the cats. With a Husky though, you will need a fence. Huskies are really not a breed like some of the others, where you can train them to stay in a certain area and trust them to stay there. It only takes one bunny to run by and they forget any training they have learned, and they are gone. I actually trust my two not to go anywhere should the opportunity present itself, but I never want to test my theory. Even in my fenced backyard, I'm out there with them the entire time. im not lecturing, so I hope you don't feel that I am, I just want you to have your husky a long long time should you have to wait on a list for awhile, good use of that time would be securing the yard somehow.  Probably make the time fly by faster too! Haha

Oh no, I definitely understand! I actually am in an apartment (which I know is a struggle when attempting to get a Husky as well) and it's super okay to kind of give me the run down. I've been looking into the breed itself for at least 3 months and I know they require at least 2 hours of exercise daily and honestly I have no problem with going out multiple times a day to exercise with the Husky or spend some time in off leash dog parks. Eventually the goal is to get a back yard, but at this time that definitely isn't feasible. I was actually recommended by my psychiatrist for an emotional support animal and a lot of my mental illness is kind of anchored to the fact that I will not do most things for myself, but I will put energy towards something I know that needs it (which is what has happened with animals I've had in the past).

Miirr wrote:

Quote :

My reasons for not going through a rescue were very similar. This house would NEVER pass a rescue's inspection for adopting a husky. I can also understand your reasoning with the cats. With a Husky though, you will need a fence. Huskies are really not a breed like some of the others, where you can train them to stay in a certain area and trust them to stay there. It only takes one bunny to run by and they forget any training they have learned, and they are gone. I actually trust my two not to go anywhere should the opportunity present itself, but I never want to test my theory. Even in my fenced backyard, I'm out there with them the entire time. im not lecturing, so I hope you don't feel that I am, I just want you to have your husky a long long time should you have to wait on a list for awhile, good use of that time would be securing the yard somehow.  Probably make the time fly by faster too! Haha

Oh no, I definitely understand! I actually am in an apartment (which I know is a struggle when attempting to get a Husky as well) and it's super okay to kind of give me the run down. I've been looking into the breed itself for at least 3 months and I know they require at least 2 hours of exercise daily and honestly I have no problem with going out multiple times a day to exercise with the Husky or spend some time in off leash dog parks. Eventually the goal is to get a back yard, but  at this time that definitely isn't feasible. I was actually recommended by my psychiatrist for an emotional support animal and a lot of my mental illness is kind of anchored to the fact that I will not do most things for myself, but I will put energy towards something I know that needs it (which is what has happened with animals I've had in the past).

There are a lot of people who have huskies in apartments and make it work, and getting your pup out for his exercise everyday is great for both of you. I love my walks with my two, it's a time when I can put everything that went on that day, on hold, and just be with my pups. Best of luck to you hope you keep us updated, share some pics and stuff once you have your fluffy little monster

simplify wrote:

I can tell you right now that Happy Huskies and Max Haven are not reputable breeders.

Karnovanda, Qudos are very reputable breeders (Zorba looks like they do the right things but if you've heard bad things? then don't go with them). You want a breeder that is doing conformation, health testing, and is either a part of the SHCA or a local breed club/kennel club.

It's not uncommon even for a reputable breeder to require a deposit on a litter before it's born. It's a commitment / placeholder basically.

A note about Zorba:
I was referred to this kennel by the reputable Shiver Siberians (who has retired from breeding)
I ended up getting my beautiful grey and white pup from Kristine last May. Zorba is a newer kennel but she started with good stock. Kays grandparents on the Sire side are out of Shacree and Whitepeak. Her grandfather on the Dam side are out of Shacree with several near ancestors out of Kristari. So Kay has a nice mix of working and show lines, but has the show dog "look"!