I am new to this forum and had asked about cats (being that we have 4!) and I am very interested in getting a Husky, having recently bought my first house. The house has a converted basement already and was thinking of making this the area the Husky can sleep and live away from the cats, especially at night in a crate and when everyone is out of the house (rare!). Would this be a good idea? I would still crate train the Husky also in the basement from 8 weeks or so when he/she is bought. The basement is damp free, has a carpet (not great condition so not bothered about it being chewed) and does not have wires anywhere. It is about 16 by 12 foot. The only issue is no outside lighting coming in to it....

We actually sort of did the opposite. We have a cat door in the door to our basement, and that's their safe area. We do crate the dogs during the day down there, and ours isn't finished. They do just fine, and now that Ghost is older she's got the run of the house at night. When she was under a year, we'd crate her at night but she'd be crated in our bedroom. They really do like to be near their people, so that's something for you to think about as you plan.

With cats, if you rescue make sure you're either getting a known cat friendly dog or try to catch a rescue that has a puppy. If you're in MD/PA/DE/NJ, Delaware Valley Husky Rescue does have a 9 week old. I don't know if he's officially for adoption yet, but again if you're in one of those 4 states check them out. Or if not, look for a rescue in your area. If you choose to go the breeder route that's cool too, and we are all more than happy to help you find the best breeder possible

I'm with meredith, let the cats have the basement. Huskies love people and need to be near them, putting the dog away from you when your home or sleeping will make for a sad husky that will cry wanting to be near you.

The idea with the basement is to use it as a safe area when everyone is out of the house with perhaps a crate and water in and toys but when people are in the house, there is no way I would want the dog to stay in the basement I am not sure about sleep arrangements though - surely it is bad practice to have a dog get used to sleeping with you for when it gets older?

I am living in the UK and because of the cats - I am after a puppy and so have been looking for decent breeders around my area at the moment as the adults and way they are kept is very important.

Many thanks for the replies!

Now that Ghost is older, she either sleeps in the bed with us, on her bed that's on the floor next to our bed, or on the couch downstairs, and Lulu has always slept in the bed with us. It's all personal preference though. We're getting our new puppy next weekend, and she's going to sleep in a crate next to our bed and right next to Ghost's bed, but that's our preference. That way I can wake up when she cries to go out at night too, which really helps with potty training.