Took Freya to the vet today for her 12 week vaccination.
The vet came out and asked if she could have a treat. I said 'no' because I cant guarantee it doesnt have wheat in it, as she is allergic.
The vet took the treat back.

When I went in to get Freya her needle she was talking about puppy pre-school and how important it is - I do agree it is important. But the times it was on simply wasnt agreeable with our family.

She made a fuss about how it's so important to get them socialised. I told her that she has puppy play dates with dogs that come over to our house her age and older. Bigger than her and smaller.

She went on to tell me that she needed to be trained at puppy pre-school so she would know I'm in command.
I told her that Freya knows Sit, lay down, roll over, paw and leave it. And we're working on some others.

At the end of the consult she asked what she was crossed with. I said she's a Husky cross Bull Mastiff. I then said I think she's a perfect blend of the two, neither one being dominant over the other.

She made a comment that felt like taking a bullet. She said ' Lets hope she gets the best of both breds and doesnt turn into a huge biting dog.'

I asked what she meant by that. She told me that Huskies were notorious for being agressive out side of their family unit.

From all the research I've done on the breed, there have been a few instances where a husky has attacked people, but there are instances like this within every breed.
I am a massive believer that it is how they are raised. THe whole nature vs Nurture debate.

I was really offended. Freya was nothing but perfect in the vet the whole entire time we were there, and already she is being judged, for what? For being a mix? For being a sled dog? For being a husky?

I felt like crying. I just wanted to wrap my arms around my baby girl and tell her that the big bad vet doesnt know what she's talking about. That she got her degree out of a wheeties box.

mastiffs bite? wow, allt he mastiffs i know are very laid back and loving dogs, along with most huskies, besides Cali when i first got her. This is why i hear the vets, but don't fully listen to them lol

How rude! I would of told her to shove it. Where does she get off acting like she knows how your puppy will turn out? Geesh the nerve of some people.
but with that being said ive heard that mastiffs get aggressive as they get older because there brain keeps growing and there body doesn't resulting in a chemical imbalance that sets them off.
My friend had to recently put down her 13 year old mastiff/lab mix because he attacked her husband for no reason what so ever.

I know! I researched both breeds before I got her, making sure I was making the right decision for my family.

Yes, Freya is mouthy, but she's a 12 week old puppy. And she's getting soo much better with her jumping and mouthing. I am seeing massive improvments in her every day.

I think I'm going to have to do what you do. Hear but not fully listen.

In my eyes Freya is the most perfect puppy on the face of the planet, jumping and all. She's my little angel and nothing the vet sais is going to change my views of my baby girl.

I just hate to think that other people dont feel the same way about her as I do.

ashleylou wrote:

My friend had to recently put down her 13 year old mastiff/lab mix because he attacked her husband for no reason what so ever.

Even if this is the case, it's got nothing to do with their personality. It's just something that happens. Mastiffs are big beutiful lazy ol' dogs who just want to be loved.

Wow, my SIL has had 5 mastiffs and none were agressive. I have known two of them and they were both perfect angels. The new one, Mya, is hyper puppy but not aggressive even with Cali around.

Well every dog is different lol that's just what the vet told them.
Not saying it will happen to sweet Freya
Or whoever else

Here in the US, many of us are charged more for our home owners insurance or for renterss insurance (if we are allowed to rent at all) because we own a husky. Sadly, the husky is listed #4 in the list of dangerous dogs.

http://www.petsdo.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds

I think those of us who have been on this forum for awhile have had this discussion before. Most of us have no idea why the husky ranks so high! One school of thought is that many bite victims don't know their dog breeds and simply describe any number of mixed breeds as "husky". Another fact is that huskies have killed babies within families. This is certainly not out of aggression but perhaps trying to play and getting too rough.

Regardless, ignore your vet. Listen to those around you who have raised well-adjusted huskies. You don't need this right now! *hugs*

how can those cute things in the number 4 spot be on the list. I was shocked though to see a Dalmation made the list.

Some vets out there are very hit or miss in my opinion. It can take a while before you meet that one that you can really relate with it. I think that is the key thing. I'm not saying the vet is bad, I'm sure they were fine at their job, but some just tend to push courses of food and I personally have little time for that. I'm there for the well being of my pup and not to line your pocket.

Most of us like to know we are doing right by our dogs, it being reinforced anywhere gives us a sense of pride and assurance that we are on the right path so to speak.

Unfortunately our animals can't talk to us and tell us exactly what they need so we all become pseudo interrupters. I think it goes without saying we all know our own dogs much better then any random person can.

Some vets I've run into seem to only hear themselves talk and will disagree over the smallest thing, when in the end they should be listening to your input as you live with this animal 24/7. They are expects and I respect their knowledge... But some are just missing that "Bed side manner" which makes a good doctor GREAT.

In the end it comes down to your choice. Like anything else your the customer here. If your vet wants to push puppy courses, or food, or meds, to get kick backs, that's their choice. But you get to chose if they get your hard earned money or not.

Finding a GREAT vet is sometimes like finding a needle in a hay stack, but so worth it in the end. I drive an hour and a half to see mine, one way.

I think Val drives somewhere around 4 hours she said.


That being said if, it were me, I wouldn't return to that vet.... It's one thing to inform someone politely about possible risks or training opportunities. But the way in which you describe it sounds very condescending and would not agree with me at all.

Best of luck.

~Chris~

Thanks everyone. I apprecite all the advice and opinions.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. The vet practice it'self is really great, it works in conjunction with alot of rescues and shelters around the city.

I might see if they have any other vets at the practice.

It is very bizarre that huskies are on the list. Now if it wasn't just people aggression, and included prey-drive, I could see it. I think it's a case of "mistaken identity" and probably gets a lot of the wolf-mixes too. Even though pits have a high bite record it's inflated by breed identification simply being, "I'm a cop and that looks like a pit to me."

kevo wrote:

how can those cute things in the number 4 spot be on the list. I was shocked though to see a Dalmation made the list.

I had a Dalmation. They are actually extremely protective/territorial dogs. While she was super nice to us/friends, if a stranger tried to enter a house, or if a friend and I would be play fighting, she would get pretty mean (of course we could still control her). Sometimes I miss the fact that she was a type of home protection. If a robber came to the house now, my husky would probably help them carry stuff out!

I would hate a vet that said that to me - really? How ignorant AND unhelpful! Huskies are the sweetest dogs in the world. Find another vet - not worth it. Keep in mind that despite being a vet, it's really a customer service position and if they want to keep your business they need to be nice. And open minded and love all breeds. Our vet is awesome and although some vet techs were taken aback at Chili's size (yet very respectful and nice) - they now understand he's a marshmallow and everyone wants to play with him. If she's like this now, I can't imagine it getting better.

I was really expecting her to just melt at the sight of her. I guess that was just nieve of me to think that.
Every one who sees her thinks she's the sweetest thing on paws. And I have to agree with them. I suppose I'm bias because she's my furry daughter, but she doesnt have a bad bone in her body.

I would definitely look for a different vet, that's just rude as hell.

As the saying goes 'Haters gonna hate!" lol

One of the vets in my practice does not like huskys, she told me "oh boy your gonna regret getting that one, their so blockheaded, so stubborn, so difficult. REALLY? Balon is anything but! He is so sweet, and recently I saw that vet again (during his emergency) and she was pretty taken with how sweet he is! So I say don't judge!

I'm going to be honest - I could never picture my dogs mauling a baby. Licking it, yet - but eating a baby? Shit, Delilah won't even eat her raw dinner unless you sit and talk to her during meal time.

Balonsmom wrote:

One of the vets in my practice does not like huskys, she told me "oh boy your gonna regret getting that one, their so blockheaded, so stubborn, so difficult. REALLY? Balon is anything but! He is so sweet, and recently I saw that vet again (during his emergency) and she was pretty taken with how sweet he is! So I say don't judge!

I like this. I hope I can take Freya back nad show the vet just how amazing my little girl is.
She got weighed yesterday and is 15.8lb (I dont know where on the scale for a 12 week old pup that comes, average, above, below). I knew getting her she was going to be a big dog so I started training her the day I brought her home. She knows Sit, lay down, roll over (she's stubborn with this one) paw (she's VERY generous with this one, giving me her paw for absolutelly anything, even when I dont ask for it. She just wants to be told she's a good girl all the time) and leave it (she does this with treats on the floor or in my hand, and her food bowls. We are yet to start doing it with toys and other not so valuable rewards).

She's not nbearly as mouthy as she was 2 weeks ago, nad although she's still a bit jumpy I've taught my kids to 'be a tree' (It takes a bit for them to remember sometimes) but she is really getting it, she knows that when they are still she doesnt get any attention. Why jump on someone when you get nothing out of it?

I'm really proud of her. I just want the vet so see how wonderful she is as well. She's not a monster who is going to go around attaching strangers because they're not in my 'family unit', yes she can be stubborn, but so can I and I'm not an awful human.

I just want her to be loved by everyone, I know that realistically it's not going to happen, but I really take it to heart when someone doesnt like her.

It's like seeing my kids play alone in a playground when theres other kids. I hurt for them because I want people to love them as I do. Freya is my kid too.

mheath0429 wrote:

I'm going to be honest - I could never picture my dogs mauling a baby. Licking it, yet - but eating a baby? Shit, Delilah won't even eat her raw dinner unless you sit and talk to her during meal time.

I've only had Freya for 6 weeks, So I dont know what she will be like onjce she matures, but if she continues on this path, I really cant imagine her being anything but happy to play with/meet anyone new.

Haha, I had to laugh at Delilah not eating her raw meals.

Freya wont eat her raw liver unless I feed it to her a specific way - It has to be eaten out of my hand and I have to entice her with it, or she leaves it or contionually spits it out.

mheath0429 wrote:

I'm going to be honest - I could never picture my dogs mauling a baby. Licking it, yet - but eating a baby? Shit, Delilah won't even eat her raw dinner unless you sit and talk to her during meal time.

I don't think the huskies plan to "eat" the baby, but perhaps play with the baby like they do with a stuffed animal. Sabaka will try to shake the snot out of a stuffed animal! I think that's probably what happens...

Keep in mind...this only happens when a dog and infant are left unsupervised! Stupid parents...

SabakaMom wrote:

Keep in mind...this only happens when a dog and infant are left unsupervised! Stupid parents...

Thats right. You wouldnt leave a 2 year old child with an infant unattended , so why would you leave a dog unattended with one?