Husky News

Before running out and adopting a husky do some research

The Humane Society of the United States is bracing as it awaits the influx of unwanted sled dogs into its shelters in about six months.

The animal rescue organization predicts many families that watch "Eight Below" will run out and get a sled dog because they look so cute. The exact phenomenon happened in 1996 with "101 Dalmatians," which caused a 25 percent increase of Dalmatians in shelters and rescue groups, the Humane Society reports.

"I have had about 10 calls in the last week (for Siberian husky puppies) from people who had seen the movie," said Michelle Searer, of Searer Siberian Huskies in Wheatfield, who says she's glad she currently doesn't have any puppies.

So, before you run out and get a husky or malamute, you need to find out if it's the right one for your lifestyle. The owner's needs and personality must match that of the new dog to alleviate eventual heartache.

"People are willing to put up with some difficulties with a new puppy, but after a few months of keeping an animal they weren't really prepared for, they can't or won't keep these dogs, which end up in shelters," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals for the Humane Society of the United States.

Husky hustle

Siberian huskies are a very high-energy breed of dog, Shain said. They also require considerable exercise and training, and need constant companionship.

Leaving them home all day with nothing to do will backfire, said Searer, a longtime husky owner and dog sled enthusiast. Owners looking for a guard dog will find the Siberian husky to be far too friendly and sociable.

Shain adds that if you believe the match can work, go to your local animal shelter since it is a fact that one out of four shelter dogs are purebred and you may find just the dog you want. If the shelter does not have the breed, they can direct you to a purebred rescue group in your area.

Select a good breeder

"Breeders that are interested in speaking with us are not the ones we are worried about," Shain said. "It's the ones that get into the breeding business only to turn a quick buck after the movie."

Those breeders, also known as puppy mills, confine the dogs to cages their entire life with minimal care and a significant level of suffering, Shain said. Puppy mills produce purebred puppies in large numbers and sell them to pet stores or directly to consumers through the Internet or newspaper ads — often posing as a "reputable breeder."

To avoid purchasing a sled dog from a puppy mill, use the five following questions from Shain to find out if the breeder is reputable.

1. Ask to see where the puppies and dogs are housed. If you cannot see where the dogs are born and raised, walk away.

2. Ask about the challenges of the breed. A breeder will be well versed in telling you the breed's great and difficult traits.

3. Inquire about genetic problems. What is being done at a national level and what they are doing on-site?

4. Check their veterinarian references. Ask the vet how often they see the animals and what types of treatments they receive. Also, each puppy always should come with its own set of medical records.

5. What if I have a problem with this dog? A good breeder is always going to take the dog back for the rest of its life.

Shain adds that www.puppybuyers.com provides an entire checklist with additional questions to ask.

Searer, who owns 15 huskies and sells some puppies, agrees with the questions from the Humane Society. She says she also makes sure potential owners realize that it's a 10- to 15-year commitment when adopting a husky pup.

Additional research

* Siberian Husky Club of America Inc., www.shca.org

* American Kennel Club, www.akc.org

* Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org

* Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue, Indianapolis,www.petfinder.com/shelters/northernlights.html

* Indy Homes for Huskies, Avon, Ind., www.indyhomesforhuskies.org/index.php

* Free Spirit Siberian Rescue, Harvard, Ill., www.huskyrescue.org

* Adopt a Husky Inc., Salem, Wis., Ferndale, Mich., www.adoptahusky.com/default.htm

* Searer Siberian Huskies, www.searersiberians.com

SOURCE: Michelle Searer, Wheatfield, and Free Spirit Siberian Rescue, Harvard, Ill.

Siberian Husky traits

* They are intelligent.

* Most love people and make excellent family dogs.

* They are athletic.

* The dogs are attractive.

* They have a high prey drive that manifests itself by chasing small animals, such as cats, causing injury or even death.

* They are escape artists.

* The dogs have lots of fur that sheds at least twice a year in large clumps.

* They're poor watchdogs since they love everyone.

* They are very pack-oriented and cannot tolerate long periods of isolation.

* They may come off as stubborn and require obedience training.

* They do not bark often, but howl much like a wolf.

SOURCE: Michelle Searer, Wheatfield, and Free Spirit Siberian Rescue, Harvard, Ill.

Source: nwitimes.com