Assuming you have decided to acquire a Siberian Husky - there are several conditions you will have to accept going in. Know that you will need a very secure run or fenced-in yard, an inexhaustible supply of patience, and more than a little cunning to match that of your newest family member. This "noble savage" will come genetically compelled to "push the envelope" in ways you may have never imagined. You must now decide: Will you seek a puppy, adult or rescue dog? Everyone believes, of course, that they want a cuddly 8 week old puppy; and Siberian puppies are, in fact, just about the most adorable 8 weeks old animals on the face of earth. They really are like living teddy bears, and who could resist a teddy bear? BUT there are compelling reasons to carefully weight your opinion and consider the possible outcome of your decision.
As with all dogs, Siberian Husky temperament is in a very large sense a matter of the individusl dog's genes. And, as with all dogs, 8 week old puppies are pretty much "hard wired" into what they are going to be as adults. So knowing your puppy's genetic background and the environment in which she spent her first eight weeks are the most crucial predictive elements in anticipating disposition and temperament. That, then, is the strongest argument for acquiring a dog from a highly reputable, very experienced breeder: There is simply no substitute. If you take this crucial, wise first step, everything else becomes easier.
At this breeder's facility, you may find lots of dog hair, certain odors that after, say, six house-reared litters, has permeated some sevret core of the house that no deep cleaning, short of a flame-thrower, could possibly penetrate. But you will also find dogs with lots of exercise room, clean (though not necessarily slick) whelping facilities, and you will have the general sense that the dogs, while perhaps living a more rugged, outdoorsy life than the average house pet, are leading happy, healthy lives, and are simply delighted to have you visit. You will notice, in short, that the lives of the dogs are obviously quite central to the life of the household, though the sizes of breeding kennels vary considerably.
You, of course, will have lots of questions. Oerhaps to your surprise, so will the breeder: How large is your secured area, and is it escape-proof? How many hours will the animal be left home alone? How old are your children? You will feel more like you've come to an adoption agency than to a car lot - with makes, models, and price break-downs. Typically, the onventory is not large.
THE PUPPY CHOICE
If you choose a yound puppy in such a situation, you have the advantage of meeting its parents, usually, and having a good idea of how that puppy has been raised. With the help of the breeder, you can probably find the right puppy for your needs, and, again with the help of the breeder, raise that puppy into a happy, well-adjusted, good citizen. But, like, children, Siberians start out without manners: They must be housetrained, taught not to use their mouths on people, not to chew electrical cords and Persian carpets, to sleep past 3 A.M., to walk on a lead without pulling your arm out of its socket, and generally be given a great deal of direction. Often, first-time Siberian owners, especially those with busy schedules, are simply not up to the task, and their cute 8 week old puppy turns into a 50 or 60 pound "wild child" with the strength of a bull and the willfulness of a pampered prince or princess. And that's when the not-so-cute young adult often goes back to the breeder, or to the humane shelter, or to some unsuspecting neighbor with a soft heart.
THE ADULT CHOICE
The alternative is either an older puppy, a young adult, or even an older adult. The advantage here is that you take something home that is already trained or partially trained, and that will take much less energy to make into a credit to your household. The reason most people want a puppy, or believe they want a puppy, is that they believe it will grow up to be "more truly theirs". While this may be true of some breeds, it is generally not true of Siberians. In fact, for a myriad of psycho-social reasons too numerous to list here, the adult or young adult may bond with you more quickly than a puppy and develop into a more loyal companion. Many reputable breeders will often have young adults available that may have fallen a little short of their show or working expections, but are excellent candidates as pets nonetheless, and may be had for a somewhat lower price. The same is true of dogs retired from the show ring or the breeding program who still have many good years of love and loyalty to offer. Siberians typically live thirteen to seventeen years, though they are vulnerable to cancers and the like from about ten years onward. So sometimes the 6 or 7 year old ex-brood female makes a wonderful house pet, especially for older people who value the relative calmness of these animals.
THE RESCUE OPTION
But if you're the sort of person who would like to help a good dog out of a bad situation, the rescue programs sponsored and coordinated by the Siberian Husky Club of America may be the best option of all. While it is true, according to veterinarian Bruce Fogle in his book, The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior, that 80 percent of serious dog bites are inflicted by animals from pounds, and who may have missed important developmental elements in their puppyhood; it is equally true that Siberian temperament and disposition are pretty easily deciphered in body language by any breed expert, and all animals in rescue operations associated with the Siberian Husky Club of Association will have been screened by just such experts.
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