Any Siberian husky owners?

[black_cat]

It seems with all breeds of dogs people have very different opinions of if they will get along with cats or not, or whats the best way of getting them to get a long.

I have had one person say no husky will ever get along with cats, a different person said that it would be best to get a dog from either a breeder who has huskies with cats or a adult rescue who gets along with cats. Another person said getting a adult rescue would be best. Its getting very confusing and I am not sure what to do

I’m sure that there is so much variation because it all depends on bloodline, training, and individual temperament.

 

[MountainWoman73]

I'm sure it does depend on individual dog temperament, and also to some degree on training.... But my experience with huskies and small animals hasn't been good. We had one kill 7 chickens in under 10 minutes. I locked her in the basement while we found her owner, and she was perfectly sweet with people and with my dog. Just had an incredibly strong prey drive. When I talked to the owner, I found out she had previously killed housecats.

 

[SpotTheCat]

I'm sure it does depend on individual dog temperament, and also to some degree on training.... But my experience with huskies and small animals hasn't been good. We had one kill 7 chickens in under 10 minutes. I locked her in the basement while we found her owner, and she was perfectly sweet with people and with my dog. Just had an incredibly strong prey drive. When I talked to the owner, I found out she had previously killed housecats.

Thank you!

 

[Scrumdidlyump]

Thank you! Did he not chase your cats if they ran?

No. But I had two grumpy old man cats.

 

[NatJ]

I have had one person say no husky will ever get along with cats, a different person said that it would be best to get a dog from either a breeder who has huskies with cats or a adult rescue who gets along with cats. Another person said getting a adult rescue would be best. Its getting very confusing and I am not sure what to do

If you are considering an adult dog, you can check whether it is good with cats or not. No matter what may be "normal" for the breed, the individual dog might be different.

If you are considering a puppy, then learn about the parents of the puppy, and about how to raise the puppy. If the breeder says "no husky will ever get along with cats," and you have cats, you might not want to get a puppy from them. But if a breeder has cats, and their adult huskies get along fine with the cats, then their puppies might also be able to learn to get along with cats. Such a breeder might also have useful advice on raising & training their puppies to get along with cats.

 

[JenInNev]

I'm sure it does depend on individual dog temperament, and also to some degree on training.... But my experience with huskies and small animals hasn't been good. We had one kill 7 chickens in under 10 minutes. I locked her in the basement while we found her owner, and she was perfectly sweet with people and with my dog. Just had an incredibly strong prey drive. When I talked to the owner, I found out she had previously killed housecats.

Huskies can be an unpredictable breed. They can be very loyal to their owners and their fellow canine house mates. My first Husky killed cats. We believed he was part wolf hybrid and cats in his early years were a no go. He eventually settled down when he was about 10 and got along with the cats.

My current husky is a Rottweiler mix. He looks husky but has the rotty body. He is loud at yelling at the cats when they bother him, but cuddles with them at night.

Huskies need to be kept active for the most part. If bored, they can destroy your house with chewing, etc. They were meant to run and pull like you are proposing. If you have ever watched a dog sled race, you would know what I mean. Doesn't matter if it's a short race through the streets and trails of Anchorage, or a 1,000 mile Iditarod, when they get to the finish line, their heads are up proud and prancing across that finish line.

I would get a puppy. An older dog may not accept cats as part of the pack. A puppy raised with them, in the house with them, most likely see them as part of the family.

Btw: get a Strong vacuum. Java Bean, my current husky, has killed three vacuums with his fur.

 

[SpotTheCat]

If you are considering an adult dog, you can check whether it is good with cats or not. No matter what may be "normal" for the breed, the individual dog might be different.

If you are considering a puppy, then learn about the parents of the puppy, and about how to raise the puppy. If the breeder says "no husky will ever get along with cats," and you have cats, you might not want to get a puppy from them. But if a breeder has cats, and their adult huskies get along fine with the cats, then their puppies might also be able to learn to get along with cats. Such a breeder might also have useful advice on raising & training their puppies to get along with cats.

Thank you!

Huskies can be an unpredictable breed. They can be very loyal to their owners and their fellow canine house mates. My first Husky killed cats. We believed he was part wolf hybrid and cats in his early years were a no go. He eventually settled down when he was about 10 and got along with the cats.

My current husky is a Rottweiler mix. He looks husky but has the rotty body. He is loud at yelling at the cats when they bother him, but cuddles with them at night.

View attachment 2716452
Huskies need to be kept active for the most part. If bored, they can destroy your house with chewing, etc. They were meant to run and pull like you are proposing. If you have ever watched a dog sled race, you would know what I mean. Doesn't matter if it's a short race through the streets and trails of Anchorage, or a 1,000 mile Iditarod, when they get to the finish line, their heads are up proud and prancing across that finish line.

I would get a puppy. An older dog may not accept cats as part of the pack. A puppy raised with them, in the house with them, most likely see them as part of the family.

Btw: get a Strong vacuum. Java Bean, my current husky, has killed three vacuums with his fur.

Thank you!

 

[SpotTheCat]

So I have heard huskies are very good at escaping, what do you do to prevent this when letting them out in to the garden? Supervise? Do have to have 8ft fences?

 

[2theranch]

I am looking at maybe getting a husky to do dryland mushing with. But I am not sure they would suite me because we have cats. I see a lot of people with cats and huskies but a lot of places say that they are not good with cats.

I would also like to hear about people’s experiences with huskies and see pictures

Our Siberian was very prey driven and the smartest dog we have ever had, but we set boundaries with her and she did not bother the cats. Have rescued several husky mixes and they were all fine with the cats. Dogs are very sensitive to energy and body language and I do not believe in bad dogs just bad people.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Our Siberian was very prey driven and the smartest dog we have ever had, but we set boundaries with her and she did not bother the cats. Have rescued several husky mixes and they were all fine with the cats. Dogs are very sensitive to energy and body language and I do not believe in bad dogs just bad people.

Thank you!