I do not have a dog yet, I'm doing my initial research via books, talking to breeders, and adoption organizations before I get a dog. These forums look like a great resource for a respectful place to get the schools of thought - I want to be sure I can be a good daddy

About my personal situation:
I will be living in either Seattle or Auburn, WA. Both will be houses with at least 2 other people living there. One has no fence around the yard, one does, but it's wooden and I wouldn't trust it to contain a Siberian from reading about how vivacious they are.

It seems that some people think the dog needs the somewhat ironic freedom of being outdoors sans-leash in a fenced in yard (and one adoption agency I looked at considers that a requirement and the other said 'apartment' homes they allow as an exception not a rule). Other opinions seem to be that huskies can be house dogs as long as you take them out for consistent exercise on a leash. I'm on board with the exercise need with a Siberian - it's one of the things I love about the breed and I'm looking forward to an activate lifestyle with my dog, but a fenced in yard is not likely to be a living situation I can manage in the next couple years.

Secondly, there will be a cat or cats. Does this change the dynamic between a rescue or a puppy, i.e, can I raise a puppy well to get along with cats? Will some rescues get along with cats? Are cats just a non-starter? From my initial research it seems Siberians and cats are hit/miss...how do I know and do my due diligence there?

Thanks for the opinions everyone!

I think your situation would be fine for a husky provided you will give them the exercise they need. Will the dog be left alone for long periods of time and how much time do you have to devote to exercise and training on a daily basis?

Huskies don't require fenced in yards so long as they get plenty of exercise safely on leash and/or at locations that are fenced in like dog parks which will afford them the chance to get out their off lead running and playing. Most rescues tend to require fences unfortunately, but they have their reasons for that. Many of us have been without a fence with a husky at some point or another and can attest to the fact that you can absolutely have a happy, well exercised husky without a fenced in yard.

Your research on cats is pretty accurate, it really is hit or miss. Many people like to get a puppy to raise with cats in the hope that said puppy will be more tolerant of them and not treat them as prey. That doesn't always work out but it is possible. On the flip side there are plenty of dogs in rescues and shelters and rehomes on craigslist that are known to be good with cats so I definitely would not rule out adopting over the cat issue. I adopted my sibe from the shelter in Everett, WA and he is really good with cats indoors (outdoors they are fair game, but he doesn't bother them inside). I looked all over for a sibe to adopt in the Seattle/Everett area when we were living in Mukilteo, WA but all the rescues had fence requirements and at the time we were living in a 2 bedroom apartment with no fenced yard. We ended up having to adopt from the shelter instead and it all turned out fine. A lot of times owner surrenders or dogs in foster care with a rescue or craigslist rehomes will come with info on their behavior with cats/small dogs so if you may find one come available that is known to be okay with them.

welcome,

your situation sounds simular to mine about a year ago (within regards to rescue missions and their sometimes strange requirements). imo for the fenceing, you can use a wooden fence to contain a sibe, i've seen multiple people do it, however it needs to be relatively tall (5 to 8 ft) and not only do the post's need cemented in the ground but there needs to be cement around the entire fence (about a foot or so) to prevent digging escapes.

You can also make do without a fence, i live in the country on a farm and i have no sort of fenceing and blu has not escaped yet. but that just requires being diligent. always making sure the front door is shut, and never taking him out without a leash (for romps around the yard i use a 50ft nylon training lead... works great). the only problem with this is, if you do adopt and the rescue mission that has the sibe your looking for has a fenceing requirement you will be hard pressed to convince them otherwise (lord knows i tried to and couldn't).

For the cats, i think it all depends on the dog really. there are quite a few adoptable huskies out there that do fine around cats it's just a matter of finding one. but generally speaking an adopted adult husky that has never been around them before wont exactly do very well around them. my cats actually boss my husky around, sometimes i think he's afraid of them (one little bop on his nose and they send him off running with his tail between his legs lol).

I'm sure you can find an adoptable husky out there that fits your current living situation... it just may take some time to find him/her. also keep in mind there are adoptable husky puppy's out there too, if you would prefer to get a puppy.

The wooden fence would work fine as long as you aren't leaving your husky alone in the backyard. Until you know your own dog's tendencies I would keep the crated when alone so that they don't get into trouble- or worse hurt/lost.
It all depends on the personality of the dog. Shaqua was an escape artist until around 6 years old. She even knew how to open some latches! However, now she is content being home and won't try to escape unless the exit is blatantly obvious (i.e. an open gate). I can leave her outside all day, alone, and she is just fine with our wooden fence.

As Charlie and Val already said Siberians are just fine being house dogs as long as you make boundaries clear and get them plenty of exercise. Depending on the age of your dog not only exercising with them often/daily is important, but taking them to dog parks so they can socialize is great. The dog park is one place where Shaqua can RUN and I mean RUN! I don't think I could even keep up with her on a bike at times, but she just loves to run with the other dogs, proving that she is the fastest.