Hey all! Just joined the community so if this is the wrong place for this question my apologies!

We have one Siberian Husky named Kida already. We love her with all our hearts, but we got her from a nobody breeder for dirt cheap. We of course hope she lives a wonderfully healthy live, but I'm aware the risk of issues is higher given her history, or lack thereof. So for our second Sibe, we're doing proper research.

The obvious best choice is a shca.org recommended breeder, but as a very casual pet owner (we take very good care of them but we aren't interested in the purebred bragging rights so to speak, we just want a cute, friendly, fun, healthy dog that wants to join us on hikes and runs - we do these very often). So if it's a mix, or a purebred but not a reputable seller, we don't mind as much. The big thing is just no puppy mills, we aren't going to support that stuff.

So for example, there's a pup that's 1500 we have our eyes on, very reputable seller, adorable girl, seems great. But there's another, completely unknown breeder, much cuter girl (color wise, I know nothing about breed standards etc) who is only 350. But I know if bred poorly there could be serious health issues down the line, something we might already be facing with our girl (knock on wood I hope not of course). We can afford the pricier, but if we can save over a grand we of course would like to.

Is it worth it to bite the bullet and get the more expensive one? Are the differences in health risk that major? And is that the only reason to consider it aside from how far they deviate from breed standard? Are there any behavioral things that can come from poor breeding, even if it's been raised and treated well as a pup?

Assuming the puppies were raised to equal standards (I know that may not be the case of course), what are the differences in the dogs themselves when you ignore the way they were raised and look strictly at the breeding process itself and their parents and lineage? And then on the flip side, are the differences in quality care post-birth that major (typically) to make it worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Good for you digging deeper into the breeder history and doing your research.

I think you'd have to do a lot of research into the lineage to really know the history and, therefore, possible issues a pup might have. That's where choosing a good breeder usually comes in because they've done the research. I think it would be quite hard to do that research by ourselves.

I wouldn't worry so much that a more expensive pup is "better" because breeders will sometimes price pups differently due to coloration, breed standard etc.

As buyers, I think our research would be best spent looking into the breeder (as you're doing now). I'd buy a pup from a more established breeder v.s. someone who had no history- assuming the "better" breeder had a pup I wanted.

Lastly, let us know what breeders you're looking at. It may be that someone here knows them.

Lastly #2- keep in mind, all other things being equal, the money spent on the pup is a one-shot thing. In other words the extra $1000 spent on a dog- spread out over the life of the dog- is really minimal.

dvflyer wrote:

Good for you digging deeper into the breeder history and doing your research.

I think you'd have to do a lot of research into the lineage to really know the history and, therefore, possible issues a pup might have.  That's where choosing a good breeder usually comes in because they've done the research.  I think it would be quite hard to do that research by ourselves.

I wouldn't worry so much that a more expensive pup is "better" because breeders will sometimes price pups differently due to coloration, breed standard etc.

As buyers, I think our research would be best spent looking into the breeder (as you're doing now).  I'd buy a pup from a more established breeder v.s. someone who had no history- assuming the "better" breeder had a pup I wanted.

Lastly, let us know what breeders you're looking at.  It may be that someone here knows them.

Lastly #2- keep in mind, all other things being equal, the money spent on the pup is a one-shot thing.  In other words the extra $1000 spent on a dog- spread out over the life of the dog- is really minimal.

If you google "Sky Limit Ranch Oklahoma" they are the first link (I'm a new member so I can't link stuff) and they have 3 pups right now. I can't find any info on them. All the other breeders I'm in contact with are in Colorado - my state - and it would be wait listing for the next litter (these are all recommendations from the AKC Breeder Referral person with the Rocky Mountain Siberian Husky Club, or connections from some of the breeders off the SHCA Colorado listing. Some have yet to get back to me, but all are going to be standard price 1-2.5k, so if the ones at the site above are of similar quality from a breeder who's not considered reputable yet but is working on it, I would be okay doing that as it saves me some money and can help them as a breeder, assuming all goes well I'd happily become a reference.

BUT only if they are doing things the right way. From what their site looks like - not super fancy - and the small puppy count, it doesn't strike me as a Mill front, but of course I could be wrong. And even if not a Mill, the "Sky Is The Limit Ranch" could just be not very good at breeding, etc.

Would love any input on this, thanks!

According to the BBB of Oklahoma "The Sky's the Limit Ranchx" is out of business.  

I looked at what they want to call a website and my response is "No, Just No!!"

aljones wrote:

According to the BBB of Oklahoma "...is out of business.  

I looked at what they want to call a website and my response is "No, Just No!!"

Good call, going to avoid them thanks! If you don't mind helping a bit more, what about this place? This seems a bit sketch and possibly a mill but I'm not sure.

They're called Loyal Siberian Husky should be the second link

edit: and also Shoal Creek Puppies. They strike me as pretty sketch but can't find anything confirming that and those are some adorable pups

Loyal Siberian Huskies - South Caroline: I like their website, they present well but at the moment they have 15 ( fifteen!! ) puppies on their available puppies page (okay, six have been sold but either that was on hell of a litter or they're breeding for quantity.)
While they, in their contract, say that they'll cover any genetic problem for five years (that's better than many) by replacing the pup they don't state anywhere explicitly that their dogs are OFA or CERF tested.
Unlike Sky's the limit where I suggested <??> that you avoid them, these folks at least deserve the questions. (I emailed them a couple of questions, let's see how they respond)

I'd have sworn we did a write up on Shoal Creek earlier but if we did, I can't find it. Shoal Creek is as like the Sky's the limit as it doesn't matter - well, yes it does, at least the Sky's the Limit breed Huskies. A MAJOR red flag, to me is when a breeder has more than one primary breed, it only adds insult to injury when they breed a medium sized dog (a Husky) to a small dog (a Pomeranian). They breed, using the term very loosely, Autsralians / Poodles (Aussiedoodle), Pomeranian / Husky (Pomsky) A mixed breed dog isn't registerable so you don't really have any pedigree from which to work. A mix like that is more apt than not to have long term health problems ( But, oh, they're so cute! )
Besides having mixed dogs, they've had three litters in the past month. These folks may be the upper crust but it's still a puppy mill by my definition.

As you're finding out, there are a lot of Husky puppies out there, they've become the dog to have - I suppose a lot of it comes from 'the Game of Thrones' (is that the right series?) so everybody and their brother is out to make a buck.

I pleased that you're taking the time and effort to looks at various breeders - wanting a puppy who stands a good chance at a long, happy and healthy life is a good part of that search.

aljones wrote:

Loyal Siberian Huskies - South Caroline:  I like their website, they present well but at the moment they have 15 ( fifteen!! ) puppies on their available puppies page (okay, six have been sold but either that was on hell of a litter or they're breeding for quantity.)
While they, in their contract, say that they'll cover any genetic problem for five years (that's better than many) by replacing the pup they don't state anywhere explicitly that their dogs are OFA or CERF tested.
Unlike Sky's the limit where I suggested <??> that you avoid them, these folks at least deserve the questions.  (I emailed them a couple of questions, let's see how they respond)

I'd have sworn we did a write up on Shoal Creek earlier but if we did, I can't find it.  Shoal Creek is as like the Sky's the limit as it doesn't matter - well, yes it does, at least the Sky's the Limit breed Huskies.  A MAJOR red flag, to me is when a breeder has more than one primary breed, it only adds insult to injury when they breed a medium sized dog (a Husky) to a small dog (a Pomeranian).  They breed, using the term very loosely, Autsralians / Poodles (Aussiedoodle), Pomeranian / Husky (Pomsky) A mixed breed dog isn't registerable so you don't really have any pedigree from which to work.  A mix like that is more apt than not to have long term health problems ( But, oh, they're so cute! )
Besides having mixed dogs, they've had three litters in the past month.  These folks may be the upper crust but it's still a puppy mill by my definition.

As you're finding out, there are a lot of Husky puppies out there, they've become the dog to have - I suppose a lot of it comes from 'the Game of Thrones' (is that the right series?) so everybody and their brother is out to make a buck.

I pleased that you're taking the time and effort to looks at various breeders - wanting a puppy who stands a good chance at a long, happy and healthy life is a good part of that search.

This is so frustrating! For simplicity's sake I didn't say this in my OP, but this is actually not me getting the dog it's a close friend. We are moving in together (my girlfriend as well) and I've been doing my very best to help them (because they asked, and because I work partially from home and the other 2 don't so I know I'll be spending the most time with this dog), but they seem very resistant.

IMO theyre falling into the same thing you mention, the "game of thrones" craze leading to people just wanting a cute all white husky and not caring about anything else.

I've been in email contact with the AKC Breeder Referral contact with the Rocky Mountain Siberian Husky Club Association, who is also an SHCA board member! She's given me fantastic Colorado (where we are) breeder recommendations and references for all of them. But my friend and girlfriend see "500$ all white siberian" and think "perfect," where as I see "suspiciously cheap siberian with suspiciously excellent qualityies - 'championship bloodline and show dog potential' - from a non-reputable breeder who's business is apparently out of business..." and I think "run for the hills."

I get it, 1500k+ is a lot to spent in one go, but if that's not an amount they're willing to spend (even with my girlfriend and myself loaning her a bit to help!) IMHO they shouldn't be getting a dog right now.

I showed them everyone's comments here, the amazing info from the SHCA board member, and am doing my best to find the right dog for her that also is a quality, well bred pup, but she is getting mad at me for being involved. At the end of the day you can draw a line of chalk on the edge of a cliff, but you can't force them not to cross it I guess.

Thank you all for the help anyways, I certainly know where I'll come to next time I'm looking for my own new dog!

Ummm your Colorado so id check conour or valley humane in slv they ALWAYS have huskies and they work with other rescues in other states and can probably find a nice sibe puppy of you give them the time. Kinda a win win your roomate gets a husky for not a whole lot of money and you give a dog a home.


Yes the show is game of thrones. It made husky and other wolfy looking breeds very popular, people didnt know what they got themselves into and a few months later dump them at an animal shelter. Its also happening with wolfdogs.

Squirt i got as a puppy and i paid $50 for her and she had her first shots. Shadow i "rescued" from the airforce when he failed out of military training. I paid $250 for him and the AF Even gave me his papers. Spider i paid a bit for but the breeder had 3 generations on dam side and sire was onsite. And the breeder included dna test... even with a dna test included she was misrepresented because the results weren't back yet when i brought her home at 4.5 weeks. And splinter was free to good home

Side note on spider, between 4 and 5 weeks if not earlier is when you get a wolfdog or they dont bond properly. They have a different timeline for milestones