Hello everyone,

I signed up on these forums as I am thinking about adopting a husky mix and needed some husky related information. I have always kept Labrador Retrievers in the past so do understand the working dog mentality. The dog I am looking at seems like she would be a good fit except for one thing, which is why I am here hoping to get some advise on.

During the summers I spend the majority of my weekends at a cabin in the woods on a lake. I have always had my dogs off lead here as they like to run around and swim. My family and friends also come up as it's a family cabin with their dogs and we are all basically in or on the water for the weekend.

Since I have read that huskys being off lead isn't a good situation, I would have to keep her on one of those long leashes (which isn't ideal but we have had to do the same for puppies until they learn to stay around the house. People and dogs with out door furniture constantly getting tangled). But how much would a husky enjoy being around water?

My husky LOVES the water. She will jump in any chance she gets, if I let her!

Karli hasn't been around water very often so she's unsure about it, but I know a bunch of the other members that have dogs here in Seattle took them to the water last week and had a great time. So I don't think you'll have an issue with the water.

Thanks for the responses. I did have another question that maybe someone can answer.

I currently have a lab who does extremely well off lead. Do you think a husky would follow her lead at all in coming back?

I used to live across the street from a lake. Most nights in the warmer months, we would walk down to the beach and go swimming. I did keep my dog on a 6 foot leash or 30 foot line depending on if we were on a regular walk or we were hanging out.

I think regarding the labrador, it really depends on the dog. My husky is alpha (well, if you buy into the hierarchy ordering - i do, but don't, and that is the easiest way to describe it) to my other dog and he is also extremely independent. Therefore, he will not come back even if they are playing and she does. You will see if they follow each other around, or if they are independent of each other. Obviously, you want them both well trained on recall (don't want to rely on the one just following the other), and in doing this you will really get a feel for your dogs personality. If they have a really strong recall, start off by increasing the length of the lead and seeing how they do, and if you really feel you can trust the two of them, get a gps tracker (okay, not necessary, but im paranoid) and try it. I would not try it until the dog was atleast over a year old, and are coming into their adult personalities, and you absolutely feel comfortable doing it.

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But how much would a husky enjoy being around water?

My Sibe has never met a puddle, mud hole, Lake, River, or pool she hasn't jumped in...


My Cross will walk around puddles to avoid getting her toes wet, hates the rain, and will leave you with scars if you even think about bringing her into a pool.

It is a mix bag really. They aren't water dogs, so it can't be said for sure how they will normally react.

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I currently have a lab who does extremely well off lead. Do you think a husky would follow her lead at all in coming back?

No one could say for sure yes or no. There will always be a chance they see some prey and take off for it, or get too caught up in run mode and just keep going. It is rare my sibe will chase any dog, she is normally the one out front being chased.

It doesn't take much for a sibe to disappear and run off, so it isn't something we ever recommend.

Best of luck,
~Chris~

I, personally, would not trust my husky in a setting like that~one squirrel and she'd be gone.

Regarding water....mine is being raised with a pond and three goldens. She loves the water! Cannot keep her out of it anymore. She will even fetch tennis balls for me. Well, at least twice, the third time, she looks at me like I'm stupid.

My huskies LOVE water! I swear they are really labs in a Husky outfit. Any chance they see water, they dive in it!


Keeping you're pup on a long leash is best. I do that too in places that aren't fenced in.

Just a few month's old and already a water dog!

Mishka'sMom wrote:

She will even fetch tennis balls for me. Well, at least twice, the third time, she looks at me like I'm stupid.

This is exactly how Shaqua acts. Now, she will RUN and RUN for hours with another dog that will play fetch, but once or twice and she's done. She looks at me with this expression that says "If you are going to keep throwing it go get it yourself". LOLOL

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She looks at me with this expression that says "If you are going to keep throwing it go get it yourself". LOLOL

roflmao this is the same thing Dakota does lol so not a retriever. The first time we went to the beach he was so excited he ran ahead of us right into the water then once he realized he was in water he jumped out and looked at me as if to say " what the hell is that stuff" By the second trip he was thoroughly enjoying splashing around in the surf. He now has a hard plastic pool in the back yard to splash in.

You never know if a dog will like the water until you try. I will note that though he likes recreational swimming he still hates the bath with a vengeance.

I appreciate all the replies!

Sheba loves the water too! When she was just maybe four or five months old she jerked her leash out of my hands and jumped into this nasty pond.


I also took her to a doggy swim day, and she had a blast. A lot of huskies that I know love the water, but they hate baths LOL. So it just depends on your pup!

I always attach a 50-100ft lead on my girls depending on where we are that isn't fenced in. That way if they decide not to listen, I can just stomp on their lead. Much easier then chasing a husky who doesn't want to come back. Just keep working on recall every single day, but I have to warn against taking the lead off. It's a nice piece of mind to have, when that 50ft lead is attached.