Which dog is easier, Husky or GSD?

[huskylvr92]

If I have to rehome my husky, I want to start off with a easier breed.

We were originally going to get a GSD but when I saw the ad of that husky and visited him and saw how we was being well not taken cared for I had to help him. We were in way over our heads, we had done research on GSDs but now we realize it was only basic research.

I am currently doing more research on both breeds.

Its just that A shepherd seems more like the breed we should've got

They're loyal and eager to please (UNLIKE HUSKIES)

Protective of Family (Huskies will run off with whoever tosses them a treat)

Active and working dogs (Perfect I need the cardio, Husky was okay but he kinda just lays in the house all day, even after exercise)

Easy to train (I've heard GSDs learn a command 95 times out of 100, I read this on a list of the most intelligent dog breeds).

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

how long have u had your husky for ? im curious cuz the longer u have him the more he will become a dog where u wont care about silly things like that

Blaze would probs run off if let off the lead HOWEVER we can open the door and the only dog we have to keep our eye on is skyla - bings can go out front n come when called Blaze will go sit on the stairs and wont move till the door is closed - i think that means he is pretty loyal

they are both active and working dogs - but when in the house i like it when they just chill out - it would be TOO much if they were on the go constantly lol

mine are protective to a certain extent too - i think should anything happen to us mine will protect me - dogs arent stupid n know when a person is dodgy

ive found skyla REALLY easy to train - i wish i had done more work with blaze as a pup but the work i do, do with him now - he learns pretty quick

[Sarah]

At least you took him out of a bad situation

If you do rehome him, please make sure the family he goes to knows everything they can about the breed so he isn't passed around again

[Wizadora]

They're loyal and eager to please (UNLIKE HUSKIES) huskies are very loving and loyal, and mine are eager to please, even if they are occasionally stubborn.

Protective of Family (Huskies will run off with whoever tosses them a treat) I didn't want a guard dog. I wanted a friendly dog.

Active and working dogs (Perfect I need the cardio, Husky was okay but he kinda just lays in the house all day, even after exercise) ER. Huskys are extremely ACTIVE. You can pretty much never tire them out completely, and of course he's going to want to rest after exercise.

Easy to train (I've heard GSDs learn a command 95 times out of 100, I read this on a list of the most intelligent dog breeds).If you wanted a VERY obedient and biddable breed why get a husky in the first place? I find mine listen to me most of the time, and when they don't i don't hold it against them.

in my opinion you haven't had him very long, and you need to give him a chance to bond with you, and to work on training, no dog is going to be perfect ever, and no dog is going to be what you want them to be without your love, guidance and training!

[HuskyCouture]

i'm with claire on this one

my husky is very loyal and is always eager to please even if he is stubborn sometimes

embry is very protective of the house, if there is someone by our house that he doesn't know he will bark at the door to let us know someone is there

also huskies are INCREDIBLY active, try taking yours to an off leash enclosed dog park, you'll be surprised.

embry has been very easy to train apart from housebreaking. the younger you start off the easier.

[Lisa (Fragglebabe)]

I'm finding this hard to reply to we have both breeds & they are both fantastic. GSD's aren't necessarily easier to train, you will only get back what you put into any breeds training

Best of luck & I really hope you can give your husky the chance to show you what a wonderful breed they are, this site is full of information & there is always someone on here to offer support & advice

[husky princess]

I disagree with you.

I've had storm for under 3mths (18mth rescue) - he's soooo loving & affectionate (we're his pack), he's loyal - ok he wouldn't come back if let of lead, but he tries to protect us...he had a go at a man who came too close to me (good boy storm!).

He's playful

he's well behaved (now), as long as he is rewarded he's easy to train.

And best of all we get lots of husky kisses.

Sounds to me that your not enjoying your husky.

[husky princess]

This was a double post.

edited by Mazz.

[Smokey]

i have both. i agree with nix in that huskies get easier as they get older. Smokey was a rehome and a full blown train wreck when it came to his energy levels and demands. he still is somewhat dog aggressive. since i've gotten him neutered he's calmed down....and honestly i find it charming that he is so strong willed. it make me laugh when he doesn't listen and his husky like antics are adorable.

my GSD on the other hand...yes she is easy to train but like you do have to put the energy in to train them as they can have problems if you don't...and you have to do this with huskies too. my GSD is a barker like you wouldn't believe whereas smokey...he hardly ever puts up a barking fit. just be patient with your husky. both dogs have their strong points but honestly is hard to say which one is better because of those points....

best to you. i really hope you keep your husky and decide to get a GSD. keep me updated on what you decide....i'd love to hear from ya...

[Andy]

Ok we have both.

Two Huskies Daughtry and Darwin, Darwin is also a rescue.

and Echo our White GSD, again a rescue.

Daughtry we have had from a pup.

Both Huskies are very good natured, friendly loving and loyal.

We get lots of Wooing and Husky kisses even if we've popped out to the shop for 5 minutes.

Both love hours of walking, and Darwin loves to Run next to me attatched to my bike with a Walkydog.

Both love to laze around the house, but also playfight when not sleeping.

Both have learned basic commands, but due to the breed nature will do them only 80% of the time.

No, they will never be guard dogs, if they are out walking and someone acts threatening then they may well

protect you, but they will never be a guard dog for the house.

It has been said if a burgler breaks in . . .

they will make him a cup of tea, show him where you keep all the good stuff, and help him load up the van. . . . lol

Now Echo the GSD

She was not properly trained or socialised from a puppy to 18 months old, she was owned by an 86 year old housebound woman.

She was taken off her because the social services couldn't get in to see to the needs of the old lady.

She is VERY protective and can be aggressive to strangers and other dogs.

It took 6 weeks of us going into her kennel and sitting on the floor, her stalking around us and barking, but slowly she came to trust us.

Now she is our wooly white woof woof, in the house a sweet natured loving cuddlebunny.

Outside she WILL protect us against everyone who comes near, and protects the house.

WE would prefer her to be friendly outside, and we are working to socialise her, but it is a long hard task.

She loves to play fetch and will does so until she can no longer stand up. . .

We would not part with either without a very good reason.

Both are hard work breeds from an owning standpoint.

But when you get either be prepared for the long haul.

[lyra]

From what I understand, huskies and GSDs share some similarities and differences. Both are energetic breeds that need a firm but gentle hand in training. GSDs might be more renowned for picking up commands faster, but huskies are trainable as well. GSDs are typically more protective of the family unit, so it depends what type of traits you are looking for. Certain protective/defensive tendencies can also be a sign of poor socialization, however. Dogs who are trained to guard should still understand "normal" human behavior so not all strangers are perceived as a threat.

With that being said, I think it is really great that you tried rescuing a husky from a questionable background. However, please keep in mind that it isn't the dog's fault for its behaviors, nor is it the breed's fault. Research is key before taking on the responsibility of ANY animal, and it sounds like you might have gotten a little more than you bargained for with your husky. I hope that if you do have to rehome him, he goes to a family that can fully understand and provide for his needs.

Are you considering a puppy GSD or a rehome? Any dog that you acquire will be tons of work, and there are positives and negatives to getting a young pup and a rescue in the sense of how much and what type of work is required. Even GSDs can be a handful, not just huskies.

[Smokey]

i just thought i'd say that there are some really amazing replies on here i hope they help!

[SiberHusky97]

That's a tough one! I have a husky and my friend has a GSD. I will take the husky over the GSD any day if I had to choose, even though I would love to have a white GSD eventually. Yes, my husky will run away, but that's pretty much the only thing I can hold against him. He is very smart and eager to please, if you have the right incentive at hand I find my friend's GSD is way more hyper than my husky! She is always pacing around the house even though she gets plenty of exercise. I would get dizzy if I lived with her lol. I thought huskies are supposed to be "always on" but my guy is happy to be a couch potato when I'm not home (and I understand that's probably not very typical of a husky). Still, I know he could run for hours if he was given the opportunity. Running is an effortless activity to huskies, it's what they were bred for! Maybe it's too hot for your husky to exercise too much where you live? I live in Florida, so the weather is pretty miserable for a double thick coated dog most of the year. Huskies can't do too much in hot conditions because they will overheat in no time. Some GSDs get to be twice as big as huskies, 110 pounds versus 50-60. That means if the GSD doesn't get trained, the person will end up with a very hard to control guard dog on his/her hands, and walking etc could become a difficult ordeal. My friend's GSD is also a barker. She's not the only one. The kennel I worked at had a few GSD's that were very loud and obnoxious. Huskies on the other hand, are supposed to only bark rarely, although they do talk to you, especially when they want something Anyway, I'm not trying to convince you to keep the Husky. Some people really can't stand their temperament, and if you're not happy with the baby, it would honestly probably be better for everyone if he was placed in a home that understands the breed. My husky was passed around too (6 times in 8 months) before I adopted him, and we've been very happy with each other since 2007. Don't feel guilty if you don't dig the breed, because you could end up resenting him later on (speaking from experience with a different breed). At least you saved him from a bad situation and it doesn't make you a bad person if you choose to go for a GSD instead.

[proximity]

To be honest, basing this off this thread and others of yours I have read, I'm not sure either breed is suitable for you. They both require more patience, time, work, effort and understanding than you seem to be able to provide.

I have found my husky very easy to train. She knows almost 30 commands now, and we have started agility training too - in just 3 months of training. it just takes patience and understanding of their learning style and motivation. If you're getting frustrated trying to train your husky, you're going to get frustrated training a dog of any breed.

I don't say this to put you down or belittle in anyway, but I would hate to see you get a husky, rehome it just to get a gsd that will be rehomed for the same reasons. That wouldn't be good for you or the dogs.

[Sqwidge]

I don't have time to write a detailed reply but the long and short of it is - if you don't put in the time and effort with a GSD you could end up with a very aggresive dog and one that is very dangerous. With a huksy, if you don't put the time and effort in, you will end up with a hyper dog, who would run away at any given moment, not listen to you etc - but would still come to you for cuddles and let anyone pet them...

I'm sorry but if you're not willing to put the effort in with a husky, don't get a GSD either - i have seen first hand what lack of training does to one.

[ericrdj]

Man.. I hope the husky goes somewhere nice if ever.

A husky is trainable just like every other dog around. all you need is time and patience. It's just like handling a stubborn baby.

What I love about huskies are their personalities.

Well, if you want to get a GSD, you'll need to train them as well because it's the top 3 biter at the states.

I'm planning to raise a white GSD in two years so..yeah.

I love my pup so I can't give you a side on the choices you're giving.

I might recommend you to a toy or small dog instead. Easy to handle, no pressure.

Just a suggestion.

btw. Huskies are the first pure breed that I have. I have Aspins before.

You just need to put a time and effort to him/her.

I can tell you once you trained your husky, it has already trained you to be a better master, and a better person my friend.

So.. just try to give it a go for at least a month more.

[Val (Zebedee)]

To be quite blunt, and I do NOT want to offend you, I feel you have already made up your mind that a husky is not for you. Yes, they are demanding & you do have to put a lot of time into them, but it's the same with any large breed. I had a GSD, Sabre, for 13 yrs, was easy trainable, good guard dog, great with my kids & people I had welcomed into the home, recalled no problem, loved him to bits & it killed me to have him PTS but he got cancer. I'd have another in a shot, but whatever I had with Sabre, I have got with my huskies (except the recall but that's not an issue for us).

I think you should have a really long, hard think about what you have got & what you can do with it, if you don't have the time or commitment, then for yourself & your husky, give him to a home that can devote more time to him and look at getting a smaller breed, if another dog at all. All dogs require time spent on them & training, etc.

If there is anything we can do to help you with training, etc. please shout up

[davidjk]

yes a gsd in general will be more obedient, and more protective of your home, but if it comes down to it huskies can eb protective of their people.

for example. i was walking back from the park with suki and micha and this really fat kid with his mates says to me nice cowboy hat.

i reply thank you

he replies make you look like a dick

so i reply nice fat suit makes you look like a fat bast*** (im fed up with teenagers with no repect)

so his mates say he is dissing you, so he steps off of the curb and walks over to me and as he gets near micha takes on an attack posture all stiff and low and bares her teeth and growls a low rumble and suki joins in.

the kid shat himself and ran off.

micha picked up on something and warned him, and luckily he picked up on it and backed down.

as for training. huskies can be trained, but it takes time and effort.

i have owned GSD and collies and huskies.

which is the best, well

the gsd was obedient but barked a lot

the collie was obsessed with getting balls and stick

my huskies are allowed off lead, they come back when called. and there is a way more intense bond than there ever was with my other pets.

my huskies are family my other dogs where just pets.

[renniwano]

I also tend to agree that maybe if you were to get a GSD - you will be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

If you worry about a husky staring you down... i'm sorry but a GSD is going to worry you just the same.

I think in the situation you are in and you still want a dog.. I agree that maybe a smaller breed or a breed more known for requiring a little less attention *all dogs require time and commitment* would be more suitable.

I hope that if you decide to rehome, you can find your Husky a forever home.. and if you do decide to keep the Husky yourself, you spend a little more time on this forum and read up a little more on their traits and characteristics..

They are fantastic dogs.. but as it has been said before - not a breed you can spend five minutes with and expect loads in return.

Nikki & Neo.

[Rob]

I agree with the above posters, if you think a gsd will be an "easier breed" your in for a shock, i was brought up around them, some as pets and some as guard dogs, they need constant socialising from a very early age with both dogs and people, they need a confident trainer who knows what their doing, if kept as a pet they need to know they are bottom of the "pack",if you lack confidence with one, like a husky they won't listen to you. They are VERY protective dogs and will not think twice about biting anyone they deem a threat, if they become a "one-man" dog(many do) they will bite other family members in the right/wrong situation, they need to be kept busy, get it wrong and you'll end up with a very dominant and possibly an aggressive dangerous dog.

Very carefull reasearch needs to be done into what lines a pup comes from, if your want a pet and get a pup from working/protection lines etc you will have a very problamatic dog. Due to the amount of people who have bred them and don't have a clue, their tempraments are now all over the place and they have numerous health problems. If you get a well bred one and socialise and train it right they are brilliant dogs though. Their definately not a dog for first time dog owners.If you have problems with a husky in my opinion you'll have bigger ones with a gsd.

[Sibe77]

Get a Pug! cant get much easier than them...lol

[Kells xx]

to add to andy's post

echo the gsd is a handful!!!

she can and sometimes does rear up on her back legs to bark and growl outside and can pull like a train.

she will go off at kids,dogs,adults,leaves etc

all dogs are intelligent and trainable IF you put the work in and as puppies are all hard work

i would suggest you get a labrador and get it as a PUPPY, that way YOU can train it and not be afraid.

you seem to be very wary of your husky without any cause to be.

i would put darwin with all kids, echo with none at all

you cant trust ANY dog around children all the time because children do not understand leave the dog alone, a child will always want another cuddle or to play and this is not fair to a tied or sleeping dog.

before you get another dog please train your children to know what is acceptable behaviour around the dog

[Sqwidge]

if kept as a pet they need to know they are bottom of the "pack",if you lack confidence with one, like a husky they won't listen to you. They are VERY protective dogs and will not think twice about biting anyone they deem a threat, if they become a "one-man" dog(many do) they will bite other family members in the right/wrong situation, they need to be kept busy, get it wrong and you'll end up with a very dominant and possibly an aggressive dangerous dog.

This is what i didn't have time to post

[husky princess]

have you thought about getting a hamster?

[Karren]

Maybe you should think about running on your own as I don't think it sounds like a dog is the pet for you. Dogs need love.

By the way - huskies are one of the most intelligent dogs there are and are very trainable - they need loving training - perhaps that is why your husky isn't responding so much?