Hi, I'm new to the forums.

I’m strongly considering adopting a Siberian husky from the local rescue shelter. They seem like amazing dogs, and I feel that my lifestyle would fit well with owning a husky.
I have done a LOT of research, gotten great insight from forums like this, read books, and understand the huge responsibility of owning a husky.

My main question for you, current husky owners, is if you feel that I would make a good husky owner, based on my lifestyle.

I currently live in a small apartment. I work about a 5 minute walk from where I live, and have 2 dog parks within 10 minutes of me.
If I had a husky, I would wake up early every morning and take the dog for a 4-mile run/bike (which I do anyways). I would then leave for work for a couple hours, and come back home for lunch to take the dog for a 20-30 minute walk. I would return back from work in the evening (around 6pm) to take the dog to the local dog park for 30-60 minutes, and spend the rest of the evening with the dog.
However, while I am at work, I would have to crate the husky due to my small apartment. In total, the husky would be crated for 2-3 hours in the morning, and 4-5 hours in the afternoon.

Do you think this is an adequate lifestyle for a husky? I would love the dog unconditionally, but obviously would not get one if I didn’t feel I would be able to provide it with the best life possible.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

There is nothing here that suggests to me you would have any problems. Ours spend a lot of time alone and were crated until we knew we could trust them with no issues.
It sounds to me like you would be able to give it plenty of exercise, you should check with the landlord about having one however as some have breed restrictions in dog allowances.

You will find a lot of good topics on the forum so browse around!
Good luck!

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Your exercise routine is fine for any high energy breed like a husky.

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If I had a husky, I would wake up early every morning and take the dog for a 4-mile run/bike (which I do anyways)

Starting at that level of activity it is best while looking at rescues to find a pup above a year in age. That way the joints wouldn't be stressed.

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In total, the husky would be crated for 2-3 hours in the morning, and 4-5 hours in the afternoon.

Nothing wrong with that. Some people crate their pups for upwards of 8 hours or longer. You just might have to give yourself a bit of time when the pup is adopted to crate train to begin with. Not all of them come trained, but it is a fair question to ask.

Again looking for a pup above a year will help with this, but an pup above 6 months of age should be able to hold their bladder for a good 5 hour stretch.

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Do you think this is an adequate lifestyle for a husky? I would love the dog unconditionally, but obviously would not get one if I didn’t feel I would be able to provide it with the best life possible.

Sounds to me as if you would be a fine Husky owner.

The only thing to keep in mind if you are going through a shelter or a rescue is many have issues with apparent dwellers. Most look for an adopter with at least a fenced in back yard and that more times then not comes with a house.

Where you live has less to do with raising a pup then the person you are in my humble opinion, but it is what it is and it's their rules.

Best of luck to you

~Chris~

Well you don't say where u live but I'm with kelly check to see if u can even own the husky in that apt. And if you have to move again can you find another place to live with a husky... your still really young and that's not to say u would be unfit to have a pet I'm just worried about how stable ur living arangements are. The time you will spend with the dog sounds great but, do you like to go out and party, spend the night at other peoples house, take vacations, if so what will u do with the dog?

Thanks so much for the quick replies and feedback!

I know that the apartment allows dogs, but I will have to check about Huskies, specifically.
I'm going to be at this apartment for at least another 4 years, not leaving any time soon.

Despite my young age, I don't go out for late nights much, if at all haha.
If I ever do go away for the weekend, which barely happens, I have friends in the apartment building who also have active dogs that would be more than willing to dogsit, and I also know of a local husky boarding lodge.

Thanks again for the feedback so far

I don't see any red flags here!

You'll also come to learn of so many ways to interact with your new furball. I recommend devoting at least a little time every day (15 minutes or so) to training. Its a great time to bond and to give the dog a little stimulation

I agree, it sounds like you'd be a great husky owner. The fact that you're asking these questions and are willing to give up the dream if you can't provide the best life for the little guy/girl says a lot, imo
We have quite a few apartment dwellers here, myself included. If you want to start running right away, the rescue is a good idea, though I had a really hard time with it due to the apartment thing. You could also look at kennels that have either retired show dogs or ones that didn't work out for showing or something, if you have no luck with the rescue. However, I hope your rescue expereince goes smoothly!
And welcome

juno2k wrote:

Thanks so much for the quick replies and feedback!

I know that the apartment allows dogs, but I will have to check about Huskies, specifically.
I'm going to be at this apartment for at least another 4 years, not leaving any time soon.

Despite my young age, I don't go out for late nights much, if at all haha.
If I ever do go away for the weekend, which barely happens, I have friends in the apartment building who also have active dogs that would be more than willing to dogsit, and I also know of a local husky boarding lodge.

Thanks again for the feedback so far

Haha, you sound like us! My partner and I are complete homebodies. We live in an Apartment as well. We'd always loved huskies and before we got one, we did TONS of research. Coming here (the site) was the best thing we could have done. Everyone here is VERY helpful and nice. If you need anything, you can always get help here. Our pup is just 8 weeks old, but feel free to message me if you need anything. I don't know everything there is to know, but I'll help all I can!

It sounds to me like you'd be fine! I would check with your apartment and make sure you find a good place to get a pup. If you rescue, make sure you get as much information on the dog as possible. Just be prepared to be patient. You never know what they went through before coming to you. Anyways, whatever you choose, finding a furry friend is fantastic. Good luck!

Sounds like our set up when we first adopted Mickey way back when lol

As long as you're committed to exercising them (and doing so before you leave for work is certainly ideal) and don't mind the hair it sounds like you should be just fine with a Husky in your life!

I adopted my husky from the the local animal control center and they just wanted to make sure I understood all that went in to owning a husky and it sounds like you have a good understanding of what a husky needs. I live in an apartment and it hasn't been an issue giving her the exercise she needs because it motivates me to get the exercise I need. In some ways I think she gets more exercise with me living in an apartment than if I was living in a house with a yard. It's easy to get lazy when you can just let them out in the yard. I second the training. After a month together we started basic obedience and now we're in intermediate obedience and it has really helped build our bond through the rescue process and helped build up her confidence.

Where do you live? We have 1 dog park but its still a hike to get to?
Your schedule sounds great for a husky (if its okay with your landlord to get one).

I agree with everyone else, your situation sounds perfect for a Husky, but I would suggest like others, to make sure that Huskies are allowed. I have come across quite a few apartments that have huskies are their banned list. I live in a townhouse, and even our HOA technically restricts Huskies. Mine are crated during the day and get an hour exercise total and are fine.

First of all - Big kudos for taking the adoption route

I think you would be a good owner given what you have said in here. I live in an apartment with my husky. She is 4 months tomorrow and I have her crated when i'm not home, sometimes 4-5 hours at a time. Her crate is in my bedroom and at the beginning I would crate her for 4-5 hours while I was home just to see if at any point she got vocal or in any distress(I lucked out, shes completely fine!) If I happen to go out on a weekend I usually try and leave as close to her normal bed time as I can that way shell sleep the whole night and not even notice I was gone haha. You'll have to spend a good amount of time at first with the dog to establish some new training and routines. My husky is also only vocal when it comes to having to wait for her food to soak, other then that she's pretty quiet. I know some huskies are verry vocal so if by chance yours is, you'll need to test that out in your apartment to see if the noise makes it into the hallways or the neighbours etc.

Good luck and keep us updated!!