These are the best pets in the world!!!!! I have four of them, all house dogs, and they are extremely affectionate, sweet, highly intelligent, and seem to attach themselves to the family, and very eager to please! They are high maintenance though, and if you do not have time to take care of them and give them plenty of exercise.....then please DO NOT try to raise them!! They need lots of time, love and affection, patience, and exercise as stated. Also they are natural-born free-spirited escape artist's, so be prepared to raise them in a highly secured area, because if one gets loose, it is not likely you will find it & oddly enough, they do not have a good tracking sense to make it back home...... or worse, it could get hit by a truck in the road! Keep in mind that invisible fencing does not work for this breed and nor does the shock collars, and you will need stainless steel fencing that is at least 6'-7' high because they are adept climbers/jumpers. They will need plenty of room to run inside the fencing in order for them to be happy and content. If you are able to provide all that, then you will ultimately be rewarded with the most beautiful companion and the best friend you always wanted but never really seemed to exist! Also important to know, is that they have a prey drive instinct that kicks in when they get older, so they are not to be trusted around small animals unless they were raised with them! They WILL dig holes all over in your yard, and they will kill moles, birds, chipmunks, mice, rats and even a small kitten. If you let them be the dog they are, then they will be very happy, and better behaved then you ever imagined. They are not big eaters so weight is rarely an issue with them. And they shed 2-3 times a year, and be prepared because it's a LOT of hair!! Being pack dogs, I would suggest having more then one, since they do not like to be alone. Our pack sleeps with us and protects us every night. :) They are not good guard dogs by any means though...... as they are extremely friendly, however they can be very intimidating to a stranger, and also they can sense danger and will attack if they pick up a scent on a human that they feel is threatening. These dogs are not constant annoying "barkers", however they do communicate with you when prompted, and also when they need something or wish to tell you something. It's the sweetest thing in the world!! :) They keep themselves meticulously clean, as they mature, and they don't have that dog smell that so many dogs have. Of course...unless they roll in poop or a dead animal or get sprayed by a skunk! (Which may happen often). :)

I LOVE huskies.I adopted one recently,she is my first siberian husky,and already I can't wait to get a second one.She is sweet,very intelligent,loads of fun,loving,gentle,beautiful,graceful.I have never seen another dog get as excited as she does when we come home from somewhere.She is great with my kids and other pets,so sweet and gentle and loving.She doesn't bark 24/7 like alot of dogs do.I love the way she "talks" and howls..sooo cute.I don't know If I will ever consider owning a different breed of dog again.They are awesome!

They can be a handful, but they have such great personalities. If you live somewhere in the northern climes, they are great dogs

My family has had Siberians (7 in total) for years.  They're a great breed and at this point it's hard for me to imagine having any other breed of dog.

PROS:  They're generally quiet (don't bark much at all); they're VERY clean (just a couple baths a year and no doggy-smell); they're biddable and trainable (and usually food-motivated); they're funny and expressive; they're even-tempered; they're sociable and friendly around people of all ages, including strangers, and they don't usually have dog-aggression issues; they're adaptable and resilient; they regulate their food intake and really don't eat much, despite their size.

CONS:  They shed A LOT -- this really can't be stressed enough; they can be stubborn and willful; they can't be trusted off leash and they love to run, so an unwatched Sibe can run away quickly and easily; they have a strong prey drive and cannot always be trusted around cats and other small critters (domestic and otherwise); they need a strong handler who understands the breed's temperament and dogs in general; they're known for being a hole-digger and an escape-artist.

NEITHER PRO NOR CON:   They don't bark much but they do vocalize, called a woo-woo.  Some Sibes will howl.  (The woo-woos are pleasant; the howls are not.)  They have NO guard-dog instincts whatsoever and cannot be relied on to protect people or property.  They require regular daily exercise, although nothing outrageous, and an opportunity to really stretch their legs at least once or twice a week.  They require regular grooming, but nothing more intensive than a weekly, 10-minute brushing session.  (You don't have to shave this breed and shouldn't ever do so.  They'll cost you next-to-nothing for grooming costs each year, but you need to have a good vacuum.)

This is a breed that can be a GREAT companion, but you have to be willing to put in the work to ensure that your dog is exercised, trained, stimulated, and socialized.  This is NOT a breed you can just bring into your home and put forth no effort and expect to have a happy and peaceful addition to your family.  Also, this is a very pack-oriented breed that NEEDS interaction with its humans, even if that's only one person. 

Above all, bear in mind that Sibes were bred to be independent thinkers.  Its in their genetic programming, and you can't dominate or yell it out of them.  If you keep this in mind and aim for a high degree of cooperation with your Sibe, you'll have a happier relationship.  Sibes want to please you and they're biddable, but they are not a slavishly obedient breed of dog.

On Beauty I would give the Husky a 10.  On traiability I would have to give a 4.  As the person below mentioned these dogs do have a lot of issues and aren't a breed for just anybody.  Siberian Huskies were bred as working dogs that worked all day long, pulling sleds for miles and miles because of that, they have boundless energy.  Just running around in a back yard isn't going to make this dog happy.  These dogs need to be able to get out of the yard and go places every day and if you don't take them, they will find a way to take themselves.  My last one was a Houdini and could problem solve her way out of any kind of an enclosure. Huskies love to wander.  Huskies do not like to be left alone, not even for a few hours.  If you go on a trip and leave them at a boarding place, they will not be happy and will try to escape.  Huskies are a very smart breed but they are also very independent and are not easy to train because of this.  They won't mindlessly do what you say like some other breeds will.  They aren't a breed that can be reliabley trained.  The Huskies that I have had would never bite a human but another animal is another story.  They typically get along well with large dogs and other huskies.  Small pets can be in danger.  Huskies are not guard dogs.  They could care less about guarding you or your stuff.  The good things about a Siberian Husky are beauty.  They are a great companion if you like to jog, bike or hike.  They don't have doggy oder, they don't usually bark alot though they do make other noises.  I can't even discribe those other noises, kind of like a yodel.  Some howel.  Huskies can be very clownish when playing.  Don't expect a Husky to want to play fetch or frisbee though.  Having a Husky is sort of like having a cat.  You know how you sometimes get the feeling that you are the cats pet, rather then he yours.  Cats only do what they feel like doing.  If you ask them to do something for you they might do it, but if there is something more interesting they won't bother.  Doing your biding is below them.  Well that is a Husky too.

Very pretty dogs but tons of temperment issues.  Most of the ones that I see at the vet clinic where I work are overly nervious. They are fearful and flip out quickly and without reason.  We have to muzzle many of the one's that we see.  I wouldn't suggest this breed to a family with small children because they just do not have a stable enough character to handle lould, hyper children.  They seem to not be very intelligent and train slowly.  Now, the athletic ablitly of a Husky can be profound as they were bred as sled dogs.  I think that given a handler that will train the dog and give it an outlet (agility, hiking, weight pull, etc) that the dog will do fine.  It is just not what I would consider a family dog.  Also, very thick coated that required a ton of grooming.  Not a dog for hotter places. 

they are beautiful

These are such beautiful dogs with haunting eyes. The have the softest fur and the most interesting coat patterns.

One of my favorites! Very smart and have great personalities! Love them- I used to have one named Shieva. But she killed the cats we had so we had her put down :( Other than that she was the best dogs I have ever had!

My Husky is a little on the large side (75 lbs. but not fat).  She is great ~ other than the always wanting to run away, but that is the price you pay for owning one.  And actually, to disagree with twolittledolls a little bit, our Husky sheds twice a year ~ in the spring and in the fall.  We do brush her once a week, and the maintenance isn't really that bad, but twolittledolls is right about the running away.

A sweet, beautiful, lovely breed that I wouldn't recommend to anyone who has a job that doesn't involve sitting at home with the dog. One of the most high maintence breeds I have ever worked with. The coat needs constant brushing, they need to run be miles and miles a day, the minute you open the door they shoot out like a rocket...this dog needs your attention, 24 hours a day unless you like living in a house with no furniture. Don't get me wrong, they are gorgeous dogs, sweet (though not super affectionate in my experience) but more work than the average person is willing to put into a dog.

if i wanted to keep my husky with another breed of dog, a breed thats a bit more of a guard dog, what can u guys recommend??? thanks in advance.

My husky does not want to eat, she is 6 months and just stopped eating all of a sudden. What can I do?

  I have 6 siberians, and 5 are rescues.  Because they are pack animals they are friendly to other dogs and love people.  They are awesome dogs for the right people, but if you cannot regularily exercise them, be willing to deal with a lot of fur, or devote a fair amount of attention to them, do not get one.  They end up in the rescue too often because they are pretty, and stupid people who will not walk them EVERY day and will not brush them buy them and lock them in an apartment, and then wonder why the dog eats the couch.

They are a working breed and they therefore need to exercise.  Also, they are useless watch dogs because they are not people aggressive and you can NEVER trust one off leash.  Moreover, while extremely smart, they do not use that intellignece for blind obediance.  They will look at you when you throw the ball as if to say, "you threw it, go get it."  They also have a huge prey drive, so they are not always trustworthy around small pets.  However, some can be cat-tolerant.  I have cats, and mine are good with my cats.

These are wonderful dogs! I have 2 out of rescue, like many ignorant folks I decided to get one because they were pretty, well and the fact that the shelter had them on death rowe was the other determining factor. they are friendly with everyone, and i mean everyone. they will lick you to death before biting you! they are beautiful, they do shed (also known as blowing thier coats, and this does mean just that, it blows out and everywhere in clumps any time the weather changes...), they back talk (yell, scream, cry, rarely bark though), they have blue eyes (sometimes party eyes, brown eyes), they have many colors of coats (mine are the typical black and white), they are smaller sized (40-55lbs, this is small in my book), they are smarter than anyone gives them credit for (they will escape, ignore, backtalk, and completely torture you if given the chance), cannot be left bored at any point in time unless crated (they will destroy stuff, counter surf, empty your cabinets (yes open them and eat everything), empty your fridge, torture any small animal in your house (high prey drive)). they are wonderful pets but you have to know what you are getting. there are hundreds of places to look up information take the time and do it. if you don't have at least 4 hours a day to spend with your dog, don't get one, and if you want this breed you better have that plus more time or get a second one to keep it company... i have a 2 year old who is often playing with them, i have neighbors who visit often to play with them, everyone loves them. they in turn love everyone. they were abused and even w/ that history can still look at people with love and some kind of devotion unless i don't have them leashed or properly contained. they also 'tend' to stay clean. now there is always some odd ball gooff that thinks dirt is the greatest thing and is always filthy, mine are not like that at all, they are white on the bellys and feet and they are always white. i have a white english bullie who is always filthy and outside much less than them...i have a springer who is also in the same boat, always dirty...my 2 sibes have taught them to backtalk as well... *********THERE IS SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HUSKY AND SIBERIAN HUSKY: SIBERIANS ARE PUREBREED DOGS RECOGNIZED BY AKC; HUSKIES: ARE NOT, THEY ARE MIXES THAT DWELL MOSTLY IN ALASKA AKA:ALASKAN HUSKY; THEY ARE MIXED WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT CAN WITHSTAND COLD, CAN MOVE FAST, ARE SMART, AND ARE ABLE TO KEEP UP WORKING WITH MINIMAL AMOUNTS OF FOOD AND BREAKS... MOST OF THE DOGS THAT HAVE ATTACKED ARE MIXED WITH SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS PRONE TO BEING AGGRESSIVE...THIS BREED IS NOT A GUARD DOG, A MEAN DOG, OR AN ATTACK DOG BY ANY MEANS, THERE ARE ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS TO TREATMENT AND STUPID PEOPLE BEING THE OWNERS, BUT THE BREED IN GENERAL IS NOT A BAD DOG...KEEP YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT AND DO RESEARCH!!!!

My buddy loves his Husky.She sure is a beautiful dog-but she's not very friendly to strangers and he has to tell people not to pet her when he walks her.They are very territorial and play the "dominance" game with every person they meet.

these ret*rds talking bullsh*t about huskies don't even have a clue what they are saying. huskies are the best and i have 2 since 5 years

You better know your stuff if you plan on getting a husky! My mother's stupid boyfriend got one and kept her in his apartment while he worked 10 hours a day. She chewed, she bit, and she was terrible on the leash! I believe that if you give them a job - like pulling you around on skates for hours, or maybe playing fetch uphill - you can handle them, but I would like to shoot every irresponsible owner letting loose an untrained, unsocialized and bored husky.

omg huskies are evil bloodthirsty monsters that will bite your head off and laugh! they will gnarl on everything and WILL MAKE YOU BLEED TO DEATH if you have insufficient first-aid..save yourselves a lot of trouble or even your lives and AVOID GETTING THIS INSANE SANTANIC BEAST!!! i shot mine after 2 months.

They are a great dog for the right person. They are very intelligent and stubborn, and they SHED! But if you do your research and they are the right dog for you, enjoy! They are generally very good with kids and other dogs (of course there are some exceptions)

Great dogs, and beautiful too. But they can be hard to keep if you live in the subarbs and are definitley happiest in front of a sled!

I love Siberian Huskies. I have been a husky owner for a long time, and I know many othe people who are as well. They are extremely friendly and social, and are usually good with other dogs. They are also very intelligent and stuborn. They can be difficult to train, but not impossible. They can also be destructive when they're bored, but plenty of attention and a little husky-proofing will prevent this. I do not recommend this breed for everyone; owning a Siberian does require work and commitment. However as long as one knows what they're getting into, the experience of husky ownership can be infinitely rewarding.

One of my favorite dogs I had growing up was a husky.

for sure a lovely breed but i find them too medium sized

I find it quite amusing that you can rate a breed, when in fact it is more a matter of finding the right breed for you. First off, for the right family, there isn't a better breed in the world. Our little boy, Hodgie, is the most affectionate dog in the world. We wants nothing more than to say hi to everybody and gives us as much love as we give him. To say that Huskies are stupid makes you look stupid. Huskies are extremely intelligent... just stubborn. Hodgie knows exactly what we're saying most of the time; he just decides whether or not he wants to decides to obey. Are Huskies right for everyone? God no! They NEED to run, they NEED to play (if you don't have a 2nd dog, then you should find a neighbor with a playmate for him) and they WILL escape and roam. Our Hodgie has been to strip malls, Home Depot (he actually went inside... probably to say hi to everyone) and even 6 miles away! Hodgie gets more attention than if I was driving a Ferrari and has to be one of the most beautiful dogs around. For the right family, the Husky will become a child and you will do whatever it takes to protect him and will change your life for him. You will love him like no other pet! For the wrong family, he will be abandoned within the first year and will probably have destroyed furniture.

I don't wish to criticize the breed, only to try to be helpful to prospective owners. This can be a good dog for the RIGHT family and the RIGHT home. Of course, the exact same thing can be said about most breeds. The main thing to consider when purchasing a dog for your family is finding a good match for the whole family based on the dog's temperament, physical needs (exercise, grooming) and your family's lifestyle. Unfortunately, I see a lot of families make mistakes by purchasing dogs simply based on looks. Just because you think a dog is beautiful does not mean it is the best match for your family. Siberian huskies are one of the breeds that I frequently see this problem with. Some people think they are very beautiful dogs - they have pretty coats, gorgeous eyes, nice curved tails, etc. However, there are so many other important things to think about when considering adding a husky to your family. These dogs require patience, patience and more patience. They are very bright but can also be quite stubborn. Because of their independence when they are bored they can ruin furniture, get into your garbage cans, etc. The best way to keep a husky from getting bored is with plenty of exercise. A fenced-in yard is wonderful, but you have to make sure the fence goes under the ground and is tall. These dogs can climb AND dig and if you don't have a proper fence and aren't paying attention, your dog can be gone in the blink of an eye. If you don't have a fenced-in yard you need to make sure to take your husky for a couple of walks daily - not quick potty-break walks, but a real walk. This breed must ALWAYS be on a leash when not in a confined area. There are NO exceptions. Even if you have a great relationship with your husky they will run or wander off if given a chance. The final concern I will discuss is HAIR! If you do not want to brush your dog out at least 4 days a week with a good brush that reaches the undercoat, do NOT get a husky. If you do not want hair all over your furniture, your clothes, inside your car and everything else you own, do NOT get a husky. PLEASE read as much information as you can before bringing a husky into your family. There are a huge number of Siberian Huskies in rescue because of owners not knowing what is in store with this breed!

Siberian Huskies are probably one of the most beautiful breeds of dog I've ever seen, and they're sweet-tempered (most of the time). My best friend had a Siberian Husky, and those bright blue eyes were so adorable! Too bad, like many large dogs, he thought himself fit to be a lap dog. Thick-furred, probably not a good idea for warmer climates.

The most beautiful dogs in the world.

I have had dogs all of my life. I know how to train and work with dogs. This dog (a Husky) is slow (thinking) and fails to responds to comands. The Husky is also VERY destructive. I would never buy another Husky.

These are terrible dogs from with terrible tempers. I know that its all in how you raise your dogs but some just have bad tempers. My cousin was attacked and partially consumed by one so I guess thats why I have a bad opinion about them.

I want one!! :(

My husky is quiet, clean, beautiful, fuzzy, and could care less what I think that he should do. I love him.

I had a Siberian when I was a kid. They are loyal, strong, smart, and very gentle. They are a great dog for children, because they are gentle, and because through my own experiences they are a good judge of character. When I was 5, a man came to the house (he was a criminal in the neighborhood), I was in the yard with my husky, and he sat in front of me and protected me from the man until he left the yard. I loved him, until the day that he died. Tip: don't have them in locations of hot tmperatures though, their fur is usually too heavy for the south.

I HAVE 2 HUSKIES AND THEY ARE REALLY GREAT!! WE HAVE HAD OUR FIRST FOR 3 YRS NOW AND JUST GOT OUR 2ND THIS LAST JAN. WE ALSO HAVE TWO ROUDY GIRLS AND THE DOGS DO JUST GREAT WITH THEM.I WOULD ONLY RECOMMEND THESE DOGS TO PEOPLE WHO DO THEIR HOMEWORK ON THIS BREED.I LOVE OUR SIBERIAN HUSKIES AND WOULD NOT GO ANY OTHER WAY!!!

Parents had one for 16 years. Lots of fun, but shed and wasn't good with my kid, too rambunctious. Loud sometimes but protective and loyal.

Simply the best there is.

Siberians are loyal, beautiful, noble, smart and gentle but also thoroughly mischievous and strong beyond their size. There is no more frustrating and awe inspiring experience than chase a Siberian as he plays with letting you catch him. It is consummate grace and agility while you are losing your mind. They completely outclass all other canines and they enjoying eating cats too so how can you go wrong?

I LOVE my husky, she is sweet, fun, and has a great personality. She is truly a member of the family. Just wish she didn't have so much hair (the shedding is unbelievable), and that she could be taken off-leash to exercise. Can't let huskies off leash, they'll just keep running, and running, and running...

Awesome Dogs. I own a Husky named Dante. They are loyal dogs, with warm friendly eyes. They love attention and need a fair bit of room to move around. Dont listen to rumors that these dogs shed too much (Okay well that is true) but i live in Sydney, Australia and temps can go over 100F. My Husky LOVES The sun they adapt to it. Only downside is that they have a spoiled attitude, they KNOW they are good looking and demand lots of things. Yet when you just look at them you know they are worth it.

I would love to have a husky. They are the most beautiful dogs. Wild looking. For now im stuck with my walker coonhound...

I think they are very beautiful dogs. I love their build and color and blue eyes.

I could easily be scared of a Husky, but thank god for Dove. He was a beautiful Husky who lived behind us when I was growing up. He was a big dog but very gentle and sweet. My brother and I would visit him on a regular basis - we'd go out to the back fence, call his name and he'd come galloping over from his porch. He never tried to bite or hurt us or jump the fence. He would just let us pet him and he'd greet us with happy leaps and slobbering kisses and licks on our hands. Sometimes we'd have a leftover meat bone from dinner and we'd bring him a special treat, which he always appreciated. Because of Dove, I have always liked Huskies and always will.

They'll protect u, kill u, and eat u all at the same time! There Great!

Im sorry to have to rate this dog so low but after what this dog did to my little pomeranian it would make yo cry! well one day I got home from school I let her out to use the bathroom and all of a suden I herd this LOUD scream and I ran out of my door as fast as I could, well when I looked out my door all I could see was this Siberian Husky walking away from my yard. So the next day I put out paper so someone could tell me if they've seen her, well about later on that day this guy called he said that there was this dog laying in there backyard DEAD because his stupid Siberian Husky killed my little dog in my yard and brought her in there yard to die! my dog was the most sweetest dog in the world and from that day I've hated Siberian Huskys!

I've had 3 dogs in my life and my Husky is the best. Pure enjoyment from this friendly, lovable animal. Whether blue or brown eyes, they are beautiful to look at.

Not bad dogs but I've just never been that crazy about them. I don't know what it is, maybe it's the eyes (kinda ghostly). They seem friendly enough but they just don't do it for me. Also, I have a Jack Russel Terrier (best dog ever) and he hates them! Everytime we see one he flips out barking which is a little annoying but that could be part of the reason why I avoid them.

Gorgeous, independent-minded dogs

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to have a Siberian Husky. And of course, I was told by my well-meaning parents that Huskies shed too much, that Philadelphia would be too hot in the summer, blah, blah, blah. I can't see where this fascination with this dog came from - maybe it's from reading too many Jack London books.