Siberian Huskys
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SunQuest
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I have them. In fact I have had Sibes since the late 1970's. They are really cool dogs if you like cats... I will explain that as well.
Now for the general speach that I give everyone....
Are you strong? This dog was made to pull sleds in the dead of winter. They average around 55 to 60 pounds, but my current male has no problem pulling my 230 pound body across the ground if I fall down.
If you like your landscaping, this dog is NOT for you. They are big on denning behaviors and have instincts that make them want to dig holes to China. I have seen our dogs dig holes that are 3 foot deep. And these are not small holes in diameter. I have seen them actually down in the hole and the can't be seen unless you are standing at the edge of the hole.
Do you want a dog that listens to you and obeys all commands the first time you issue them and every time you issue them? Is the "come" command critical to you? If so, this dog is NOT for you. You see, this breed of dog is VERY independant. They were bred to think and fend for themselves. In the early 1900's they were brought to the USA and before them were raised as sled dogs in Siberia. These dogs were turned loose in the summer time to let them fend for themselves. They fed themselves, and those that lived were used on the sled teams the following winter. (At least that is what I was told) The instinct to roam is VERY strong in these dogs, and if they get loose they will not come back until they are ready to do so. They have no problem tuning out their master. In fact, you know when a Sibe is listening to you as it will often have it's tail curled over it's back. If the dog is standing at attention and the tail drops down to the ground it is pretty much gauranteed that the dog doesn't know you exist at that moment. So they only come to you if the want to. Again... NEVER walk this dog without a leash. This breed is known for it's wandering nature and not listening to commands. If you want a dog that always listens to you, get a lab or another breed known for obediance.
Do you want a dog that is great with small animals? If yes, then the Sibe is NOT for you. You see, they were left to run wild until imported into the USA. These dogs were self sufficient. They hunted to stay alive. The wolf instincts are stronger than most other breeds of dogs. They will chase and hunt ANYTHING that is their size or smaller. This includes cats, small dogs, small horses, squirrles, mice, gophers, birds ect. I NEVER EVER trust any of our Sibes with the foals. Our male would attack if given a chance until those foals are 3 months old or so I have to be very watchful. My mother's Sibe is a cat killer. Fine with the horses, but there is not a cat on the property for long. And our Sibes have a habbit of having fresh pigeon for dinner if there is any around. Of course the gophers are the funnest of the bunch as they can both dig and hunt at the same time.
While you can train them to not attack small things, you need to do that by raising them with cats and other small animals and again, you can NEVER trust that they won't attack. Anything smaller than them is a toy to them and that wolf instinct takes over.
Do you want this dog to be alone and kept inside? If you do, this dog is NOT for you. This dog likes companionship. While it is not a fan of being cuddled at every second, it hates being alone. So another dog or human company is best at all times. If you plan on keeping the dog in the house by it's self, it will be destructive. It will most likely destroy anything that it can get it's mouth on if left alone. Definately have a safe large kennel with cement floors and a roof to keep it in outside when you are not home with it as I have seen them dig out and also climb out of 6 foot kennels.
Do you like dog hair and lots of it??? If no, then this dog may NOT be for you. THis breed is a double coated breed. It has a super fine short down type of coat and a longer coat of guard hairs. For this reason, this breed stays insulated from the elements in the winter and believe it or not also in the summer. They "blow" that down coat 2 times a year. The Spring blow is very bad and you will have that downy hair everywhere for a month and brushing them at that time daily is a must. Then they pretty much stop shedding until the fall, and then in the fall they do a small light shed to get in the winter coat. On the good side, the coat is a smooth coat meaning that the hair isn't barbed and it doesn't work it's way into fabric like many of the short haired breed do.
Do you want a dog to guard your home? If so, this breed is NOT for you. Get yourself a German Sheppard. The Sibes will just as likely smother the robber with kisses as it is to bite that person. There are some that are very protective, but again, you can't trust that in this breed as I have seen just as many or more that are not.
About the cat comment.... If you like the attitude of a cat, a Sibe is much the same. They only want to be cuddled on their terms, and when they have had enough attention they want you to leave them alone. They like to thing for themselves and really don't want to listen unless it is convient for them to do so.
They are walking garbage disposals. If it smells good enough to eat, they will eat it. They are born with the techniques of begging mastered IMO.
Lifespan is about 12 years on average. That is typical for the size of this dog.
Now, if you can get past the above, then the Sibes are the best dogs in the world IMO.
If your nose is easilly offended by the way wet dogs smell, then this breed is great. It is naturally very low in odor (makes sense as strong smells in artic type climates mean sure death). This breed is also very hard to get wet to the skin, so giving a bath takes some elbow grease. And they are not fond of water. Very few like to swim and most are happy just getting their legs wet until the water hits their belly.
If you like a dog that can tolerate cold, this dog is one of the best. As an example, my male is in a constant state of panting unless the temps are in the single digits. He loves snow and would rather be outside than inside during much of the daytime hours. (He does like to spend time with his human folks, but normally at night.)
If you like a dog that doesn't bark, this breed is great for you. Sibes can bark, but they are not yappers, and they prefer to howl instead. They are funny when sirens go off as they love to howl then. They sound like sick wolves. LOL. Anyway, they are not known to sit there and bark endlessly unless another breed of dog teaches them that. But they do yoddle and howl when I come home from work.
Also this breed is really energetic. You need to give them LOTS and LOTS of exercise. Basically they are little balls of fire until they are 5 or so and then they calm down. So before any training sessions with the young dogs, I make sure to play with them and let them run in the back yard or at the farm. (Our places are fenced for this breed of dog.... While electric wire run low to the ground does keep them in, I have also seen them duck under the electric fence gate handles and most of the time not get shocked due to that double coat. If wet, they will definately get shocked.)
As far as age, I love the puppies as you can raise them to your standards, but the adult dogs are good choices also if they were raised properly. I would recommend buying from a reputable breeder that is willing to help you deal with the negative traits of the breed and a reputable breeder is normally willing to tell you much of the above as well.
Male or female? Well, the female are a little smaller than the males, but really other than that, I haven't noticed any difference in the traits of the females and the males. They ALL seem to do the above negative traits the same.
Oh... a word about eye colors. This breed can have blue, green or brown eyes. In fact, they can have one eye that is one color and another that is another color. (one blue and one green or a blue and a brown) I have also seen them with one eye that is half brown and half blue! It is said that a Sibe with two different colored eyes have been "blessed by the Gods". Now about those blue eyes.... At night when the light hits then just right when the dog is in the dark, the eyes will glow blood red in color. A little unnerving the first time you experience that.
Want to know more about them and some of their attitude things? Watch the movie "Snow Dogs" and see what those Sibes do in that movie. While it is funny, it is also pretty much dead on about how that breed acts.
Let me know if you have any more questions and good for you in doing your research into the breed so you know if it is right for you!
And sorry about the long post, but I just don't want you to learn the hard way with this breed like we did when we got our first one. We sold him at a year old because we didn't understand that what we saw as a negative trait was the way the whole breed typically is and is part of their instincts. We learned so much in the next 2 to 3 years about the breed that we realized we did that poor dog wrong
, so it has been my mission to make sure that all know about these things so that they enter into the ownership of this breed with their eyes wide open. It is the only way that I can correct my errors of the past and help to ensure the future for the Sibes of today.
Glacier - Age 4:
Glacier - Age 3 with SQ The Cascade Kid (1 week old)... Notice the wire to keep them seperate.
Shadow - Age 7 with Mountain High's Jesse James (yearling)
Glacier (black) and Brandy (red) posing for a picture. I issued a sit command, and then a stay command and that lasted all of 15 seconds. The expressions are of "how humiliating to have to pose (red Sibe) and you think you are going to enforce that command (black Sibe)?"
Now for the general speach that I give everyone....
Are you strong? This dog was made to pull sleds in the dead of winter. They average around 55 to 60 pounds, but my current male has no problem pulling my 230 pound body across the ground if I fall down.
If you like your landscaping, this dog is NOT for you. They are big on denning behaviors and have instincts that make them want to dig holes to China. I have seen our dogs dig holes that are 3 foot deep. And these are not small holes in diameter. I have seen them actually down in the hole and the can't be seen unless you are standing at the edge of the hole.
Do you want a dog that listens to you and obeys all commands the first time you issue them and every time you issue them? Is the "come" command critical to you? If so, this dog is NOT for you. You see, this breed of dog is VERY independant. They were bred to think and fend for themselves. In the early 1900's they were brought to the USA and before them were raised as sled dogs in Siberia. These dogs were turned loose in the summer time to let them fend for themselves. They fed themselves, and those that lived were used on the sled teams the following winter. (At least that is what I was told) The instinct to roam is VERY strong in these dogs, and if they get loose they will not come back until they are ready to do so. They have no problem tuning out their master. In fact, you know when a Sibe is listening to you as it will often have it's tail curled over it's back. If the dog is standing at attention and the tail drops down to the ground it is pretty much gauranteed that the dog doesn't know you exist at that moment. So they only come to you if the want to. Again... NEVER walk this dog without a leash. This breed is known for it's wandering nature and not listening to commands. If you want a dog that always listens to you, get a lab or another breed known for obediance.
Do you want a dog that is great with small animals? If yes, then the Sibe is NOT for you. You see, they were left to run wild until imported into the USA. These dogs were self sufficient. They hunted to stay alive. The wolf instincts are stronger than most other breeds of dogs. They will chase and hunt ANYTHING that is their size or smaller. This includes cats, small dogs, small horses, squirrles, mice, gophers, birds ect. I NEVER EVER trust any of our Sibes with the foals. Our male would attack if given a chance until those foals are 3 months old or so I have to be very watchful. My mother's Sibe is a cat killer. Fine with the horses, but there is not a cat on the property for long. And our Sibes have a habbit of having fresh pigeon for dinner if there is any around. Of course the gophers are the funnest of the bunch as they can both dig and hunt at the same time.
Do you want this dog to be alone and kept inside? If you do, this dog is NOT for you. This dog likes companionship. While it is not a fan of being cuddled at every second, it hates being alone. So another dog or human company is best at all times. If you plan on keeping the dog in the house by it's self, it will be destructive. It will most likely destroy anything that it can get it's mouth on if left alone. Definately have a safe large kennel with cement floors and a roof to keep it in outside when you are not home with it as I have seen them dig out and also climb out of 6 foot kennels.
Do you like dog hair and lots of it??? If no, then this dog may NOT be for you. THis breed is a double coated breed. It has a super fine short down type of coat and a longer coat of guard hairs. For this reason, this breed stays insulated from the elements in the winter and believe it or not also in the summer. They "blow" that down coat 2 times a year. The Spring blow is very bad and you will have that downy hair everywhere for a month and brushing them at that time daily is a must. Then they pretty much stop shedding until the fall, and then in the fall they do a small light shed to get in the winter coat. On the good side, the coat is a smooth coat meaning that the hair isn't barbed and it doesn't work it's way into fabric like many of the short haired breed do.
Do you want a dog to guard your home? If so, this breed is NOT for you. Get yourself a German Sheppard. The Sibes will just as likely smother the robber with kisses as it is to bite that person. There are some that are very protective, but again, you can't trust that in this breed as I have seen just as many or more that are not.
About the cat comment.... If you like the attitude of a cat, a Sibe is much the same. They only want to be cuddled on their terms, and when they have had enough attention they want you to leave them alone. They like to thing for themselves and really don't want to listen unless it is convient for them to do so.
They are walking garbage disposals. If it smells good enough to eat, they will eat it. They are born with the techniques of begging mastered IMO.
Lifespan is about 12 years on average. That is typical for the size of this dog.
Now, if you can get past the above, then the Sibes are the best dogs in the world IMO.
If your nose is easilly offended by the way wet dogs smell, then this breed is great. It is naturally very low in odor (makes sense as strong smells in artic type climates mean sure death). This breed is also very hard to get wet to the skin, so giving a bath takes some elbow grease. And they are not fond of water. Very few like to swim and most are happy just getting their legs wet until the water hits their belly.
If you like a dog that can tolerate cold, this dog is one of the best. As an example, my male is in a constant state of panting unless the temps are in the single digits. He loves snow and would rather be outside than inside during much of the daytime hours. (He does like to spend time with his human folks, but normally at night.)
If you like a dog that doesn't bark, this breed is great for you. Sibes can bark, but they are not yappers, and they prefer to howl instead. They are funny when sirens go off as they love to howl then. They sound like sick wolves. LOL. Anyway, they are not known to sit there and bark endlessly unless another breed of dog teaches them that. But they do yoddle and howl when I come home from work.
Also this breed is really energetic. You need to give them LOTS and LOTS of exercise. Basically they are little balls of fire until they are 5 or so and then they calm down. So before any training sessions with the young dogs, I make sure to play with them and let them run in the back yard or at the farm. (Our places are fenced for this breed of dog.... While electric wire run low to the ground does keep them in, I have also seen them duck under the electric fence gate handles and most of the time not get shocked due to that double coat. If wet, they will definately get shocked.)
As far as age, I love the puppies as you can raise them to your standards, but the adult dogs are good choices also if they were raised properly. I would recommend buying from a reputable breeder that is willing to help you deal with the negative traits of the breed and a reputable breeder is normally willing to tell you much of the above as well.
Male or female? Well, the female are a little smaller than the males, but really other than that, I haven't noticed any difference in the traits of the females and the males. They ALL seem to do the above negative traits the same.
Oh... a word about eye colors. This breed can have blue, green or brown eyes. In fact, they can have one eye that is one color and another that is another color. (one blue and one green or a blue and a brown) I have also seen them with one eye that is half brown and half blue! It is said that a Sibe with two different colored eyes have been "blessed by the Gods". Now about those blue eyes.... At night when the light hits then just right when the dog is in the dark, the eyes will glow blood red in color. A little unnerving the first time you experience that.
Want to know more about them and some of their attitude things? Watch the movie "Snow Dogs" and see what those Sibes do in that movie. While it is funny, it is also pretty much dead on about how that breed acts.
Let me know if you have any more questions and good for you in doing your research into the breed so you know if it is right for you!
And sorry about the long post, but I just don't want you to learn the hard way with this breed like we did when we got our first one. We sold him at a year old because we didn't understand that what we saw as a negative trait was the way the whole breed typically is and is part of their instincts. We learned so much in the next 2 to 3 years about the breed that we realized we did that poor dog wrong
Glacier - Age 4:
Glacier - Age 3 with SQ The Cascade Kid (1 week old)... Notice the wire to keep them seperate.
Shadow - Age 7 with Mountain High's Jesse James (yearling)
Glacier (black) and Brandy (red) posing for a picture. I issued a sit command, and then a stay command and that lasted all of 15 seconds. The expressions are of "how humiliating to have to pose (red Sibe) and you think you are going to enforce that command (black Sibe)?"
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Sue_C.
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I was lucky enough to be owned by the most wonderful Sibe in the World, for 12 years. But, because I thought soooo much of HER, I could never have another.
You see; she was the opposite of everything you hear about the breed. She was more like a herding dog, actually. She LOVED the critters, and would actually lay with the foals and calves, and we always had teems of kittens, which would mill around her. She would even keep herself between myself and any "bad-acting" horses; even helping me trailer-train foals and older horses by scooting at their heels. She never wandered off the property, and was also extremely easy to obedience train.
All that, with the added bonus of NEVER barking!
She did too, love to go hunting in the snow, for mice and such, and could tear a bale of straw or hay apart in her quest. But more than worth the occational mess.
All in all...Kiya was darned near perfect...how could I ever try to replace that?
You see; she was the opposite of everything you hear about the breed. She was more like a herding dog, actually. She LOVED the critters, and would actually lay with the foals and calves, and we always had teems of kittens, which would mill around her. She would even keep herself between myself and any "bad-acting" horses; even helping me trailer-train foals and older horses by scooting at their heels. She never wandered off the property, and was also extremely easy to obedience train.
All that, with the added bonus of NEVER barking!
She did too, love to go hunting in the snow, for mice and such, and could tear a bale of straw or hay apart in her quest. But more than worth the occational mess.
All in all...Kiya was darned near perfect...how could I ever try to replace that?
AND, she was one of the "Blessed" ones.
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SunQuest
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Oh, there are some exceptional ones out there that are not like the others. I don't have a picture of him, but Arty was one of those! His whole goal in life was to not hurt a flea and to make everyone happy. But that is not the norm. All of the dogs I posted pictures of hunts pigeons. They love the thrill of it. But, the red dog is the cat killer. Glacier is not a cat killer that I know of as he was raised with a cat as a puppy. Shadow was not a cat killer either, but she taught the Brandy how to hunt pidgeon. Shadow was cool and super smart. She was also calculating and she knew exactly how long it took for you to drive through the gate and exactly when she could escape the 5 acres she was allowed to run on.
They all have their own personalities and they are very expressionate. I just love the breed as a whole, but knowing what I know now I am able to better train them to hold the negatives to a minimum. It is when one doesn't know that the dog gets ruinned. Shadow was given to us because the people that bought her didn't know what I posted. Of course when we told them all of those things they decided to let her come home with us for free instead of charging us several hundered for a registered dog. The people just didn't know what she "was all about" and well, she turned out to be fantastic! She was not agressive with any of the foals or other animals like our cats. But she sure liked the hunt!
And I just love the fact that they don't bark!! One of the best traits in the world IMO. Now when they are starring at the wall intently, then I know something is out there.
They all have their own personalities and they are very expressionate. I just love the breed as a whole, but knowing what I know now I am able to better train them to hold the negatives to a minimum. It is when one doesn't know that the dog gets ruinned. Shadow was given to us because the people that bought her didn't know what I posted. Of course when we told them all of those things they decided to let her come home with us for free instead of charging us several hundered for a registered dog. The people just didn't know what she "was all about" and well, she turned out to be fantastic! She was not agressive with any of the foals or other animals like our cats. But she sure liked the hunt!
And I just love the fact that they don't bark!! One of the best traits in the world IMO. Now when they are starring at the wall intently, then I know something is out there.
runamuk
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My husband always was attracted to them......I laid down the law years ago......no way.....sibes are great as long as they live with someone else
....... they are very high maintenance they need lots of exercise being bred to run miles pulling does that to a dog
they dig and dig and dig......they can and do jump over fences if left to their own devices .........they require firm training and lots of it........I have turned down more sibes than I can count as foster dogs because I do not have the tolerence for that much neediness......
Now they are wonderful dogs if you are a dog person I am not even though I have dogs
I have had friends with sibes and mal's for years and you cannot find sweeter dogs typically they are very social and outgoing easy to socialize with both humans and other dogs.........happy go lucky and honestly I never have met a mean one.......oh then there is the coat .....being double coated they will typically blow coat twice a year ....being a chow fanatic coat blowing never crossed my mind but many do not like dealing with spring and fall hair clump season
Now they are wonderful dogs if you are a dog person I am not even though I have dogs
I have had friends with sibes and mal's for years and you cannot find sweeter dogs typically they are very social and outgoing easy to socialize with both humans and other dogs.........happy go lucky and honestly I never have met a mean one.......oh then there is the coat .....being double coated they will typically blow coat twice a year ....being a chow fanatic coat blowing never crossed my mind but many do not like dealing with spring and fall hair clump season
Shelley
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Great post, Nila! You about covered it.
I have owned Siberians since 1982, and until the past several years was active in showing and breeding under the kennel name Sno Dreams Siberians. At one time I had 16 of them, now through attrition am down to 2, a 9 year old and a 7 year old. I will never own another.
Yes, there are exceptions to any breed but only to a certain extent. I had ONE Sibe in all those years that I would allow in the yard off lead, however I would NEVER turn my back on her or leave her outside unattended. She was the exception to the rule.
The youngest Sibe I lost was at age 2...the oldest was 14.
They are a LOT of dog. I would not allow them to play with any of my horses.
They are not a dog for everybody. We never placed the last two Sibes because nobody ever came along that was responsible enough to take them, so they will live out their lives here.
Shelley
I have owned Siberians since 1982, and until the past several years was active in showing and breeding under the kennel name Sno Dreams Siberians. At one time I had 16 of them, now through attrition am down to 2, a 9 year old and a 7 year old. I will never own another.
Yes, there are exceptions to any breed but only to a certain extent. I had ONE Sibe in all those years that I would allow in the yard off lead, however I would NEVER turn my back on her or leave her outside unattended. She was the exception to the rule.
The youngest Sibe I lost was at age 2...the oldest was 14.
They are a LOT of dog. I would not allow them to play with any of my horses.
They are not a dog for everybody. We never placed the last two Sibes because nobody ever came along that was responsible enough to take them, so they will live out their lives here.
Shelley
SunQuest
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I wouldn't even try the invisible fence. The reason is that the same double coat that insulates them from the elements makes it so that the shock from the collar doesn't work or worse yet works randomly and will confuse the dog. The only way to make that collar work would be to shave the neck. Just not worth it. Tried a bark collar on a sheppard husky cross. This dog looked like a sheppard and acted like a sheppard, except was colored like a Sibe and had the Sibe fur. Anyway, the collar only worked as long as it layed in the shaved spot. Once the hair started to grow back, well it would stop working and the dog would start barking again. Anyway, remember that once through that invisible fence, they will run until they feel like returning. Nope, you will need good real fence and I still don't turn out my dogs without actually being there outside with them as they will just as easily dig under as go over the fence.
Shelley
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An invisible fence would be useless. We had 6 foot wood fence with railroad ties lining the inside so they couldn't dig out...they are quite the escape artists.
Shelley
Shelley
Gingersnaps
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We had a Siberian that we finally had put to sleep at 16 as we moved to a new place and did not get the fence in right away. It was too hard on him to be chained and he had arthritis so bad. We currently have a Sibe/Akita mix that was raised with our minis. He and our Malmute mix have the run of our two acres and we have had no problems with either of them. I did know about the breed before and they do have the basic training we need them to have. My husband makes sure they always defer to him as alpha.
They are very vocal - very little barking but they will argue and talk with you about every thing! I have people laugh at me a lot about the discussions we have! I would have another at any time, but only starting as a pup with one of the existing dogs to train them as well. Our dogs are outside dogs for 90 % of the time.
They are very vocal - very little barking but they will argue and talk with you about every thing! I have people laugh at me a lot about the discussions we have! I would have another at any time, but only starting as a pup with one of the existing dogs to train them as well. Our dogs are outside dogs for 90 % of the time.
L
Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis
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We lived near a couple of them. they are very vocal dogs and if kept outside osmething you should consider if you have neighbors that are close. While they didnt bark alot they were howling and well for lack of a better term moany. they lived about 4 houses down from us and were still easily heard.
SunQuest
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Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis said:
Not really, at least not with the purebred ones that I have grown up with and with the litters that we had. I think that the ones that you knew were an exception to the rule as you even told me they were mean which is most definately not a husky trait most of the time. I would suspect that the ones you knew were probably not raised with enough attention to training. Most of these dogs will talk back to you if you talk to them just right and if you teach them to do that, but it takes work to get them to understand to vocalize when you talk to them. The ones raised from puppies and brought up to be outside during the day and in at night are actually some of the quietest dogs in my experience as they know that is routine. Most often they only whine or howl when sirens go off, at least that is my experience with them. I can honestly say that the other dogs in my neighborhood make much more noise than my huskies ever have. In fact the pitbull that we own is ten times worse about noise, but my huskies are taught that everyday is a day outside even when I am home. That started the day I get them. And I didn't bring them in unless they were quiet. So when I am home on the weekends, they spend most of the time outside without making a sound.
Still, if it is a dog, it will make noise and the neighborhood should be taken in consideration. The size of these dogs are large so the noise seems to be louder. Of course ask me about the neighbors dogs and the little palmeranians and the dashhound and some of the others and how they keep me up all night long as a comparison.
L
Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis
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NO these were purebred huskies and nice looking ones i guess if you are into that breed
and while they werent mean tney were often loose and taunting my dogs thru the fence.. till i finally after repeated warnings to the owner made sure my dogs were outside in the front yard on one of there escapades that stopped the issue right there.
Mr Huskie didnt like meeting up with Mr Pit Bull on the opposite side of the fence
Anyway I didnt say they were all loud but they are very vocal dogs and I did say not barking but vocal that has been my experience with them and with friends who own them but you are right all dogs are different and even in breeds there is really not always a standard when it comes to personality as so many things come into play like you mentioned training, time spent with dogs ect.
Heck i am sure not to long ago ummm donkey sounds were keeping you up more then any dog in the neighborhood
Mr Huskie didnt like meeting up with Mr Pit Bull on the opposite side of the fence
Anyway I didnt say they were all loud but they are very vocal dogs and I did say not barking but vocal that has been my experience with them and with friends who own them but you are right all dogs are different and even in breeds there is really not always a standard when it comes to personality as so many things come into play like you mentioned training, time spent with dogs ect.
Heck i am sure not to long ago ummm donkey sounds were keeping you up more then any dog in the neighborhood
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Shelley
Well-Known Member
Most of the Siberians I have had were VERY vocal. The two that we have left are not. Not barking, but howling and "screaming". And not through the lack of attention or training. Just excitement most of the time...excitement at feeding time, etc.
Another thing to mention is that they really are pack animals, and if you have one Siberian outside by itself with no company you will have a very unhappy dog. And therefore even more vocal.
One more thing is that being the pack animal that they are, you need to take that into consideration when raising them. They will try to determine where they and you stand in the pack and will become the pack leader if you let them. You must never let a Siberian puppy get away with something that you would not want it to do as an adult because it's "cute". It won't be cute for long and then you have a big problem on your hands. You must establish youself as alpha from the beginning.
Obviously, as I was active in the breed for 15 years I do like them. But they are not a dog for everybody.
Shelley
Another thing to mention is that they really are pack animals, and if you have one Siberian outside by itself with no company you will have a very unhappy dog. And therefore even more vocal.
One more thing is that being the pack animal that they are, you need to take that into consideration when raising them. They will try to determine where they and you stand in the pack and will become the pack leader if you let them. You must never let a Siberian puppy get away with something that you would not want it to do as an adult because it's "cute". It won't be cute for long and then you have a big problem on your hands. You must establish youself as alpha from the beginning.
Obviously, as I was active in the breed for 15 years I do like them. But they are not a dog for everybody.
Shelley
