vettemann7 Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 Hello, I am brand new here but have a question I can't seem to find a good answer to online and thought you all would have the wealth of experience and knowledge in this area being Husky breeders, or owners, or both. My wife and I are interested in getting a husky and another smaller dog breed (yet to be determined) in the near future. I know huskies and malamutes have a natural small prey instinct and so I am concerned if when we get the dogs we should get them in a particular order to not have any issues. My question is, would getting a husky and then say a year or two later getting a smaller puppy be a bad idea? Would we be better off getting the smaller dog first and then later getting a husky so that the husky grows up with the other dog and there are no small prey issues? Are there any of you who have heard of or had this type of problem or is it just ridiculous? I know huskies are generally pretty good with other dogs and would guess that a husky would take cues from us in how to treat a new puppy, but I want to make sure this is or isn't an issue before we get ANY dogs. Thanks for any help or experience you can share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirbysowner Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 first off depends on the husky, because they like to play rough and some small dogs might find that overwhelming. As far as the prey instinct goes it applies to other animals and not dogs for the majority of the time. my husky can play with small dogs, even chihuahuas, and we've never had a problem. as long as you socialize your dog(s) well it shouldnt be a problem whichever way you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyra Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 I also say it depends on the dog. Huskies tend to love other dogs, but from personal experience, we lucked out with one that doesn't do well with puppies. When Lyra was around 4 months old we jumped the gun and decided to get another husky puppy. It was just way too soon. She got really tense around him, was constantly growling at him and eventually pinned him to the ground and snapped at him. After a few days of that we decided it would be best for both us and the animals if he went back to his breeder. It was an incredibly stressful ordeal. Now that she's older she does play better with small dogs, but it's still really rough. She has always done really well with larger dogs, even when she was itsy bitsy. She'd ignore animals her own size and pick on the big ones. Hopefully others will have more positive experiences for you. I think Lyra is more the exception than the general rule. I guess there aren't any guarantees as to whether a dog will take to other dogs. (I should add that Lyra was well socialized as a pup, but it really didn't matter when it came to other puppies/small dogs. She simply doesn't really like them.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarStorm Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 We have a Shih ztu cross and a miniature Yorkie both small dogs and yet I decided to bring a husky pup into the household. The two small dogs are about 4 years old, at first we had a problem with the Shih ztu aggression but he came round eventually. The only problem we have is that Storm can get abit too rough for them and we have to step in but otherwise everything is fine! My advice is if you want a small dog breed-to do your research into a breed that is quite strong for it's size otherwise the husky is gonna think it's his new favourite toy thing!! Having said that there are some huskies that are very gentle with smaller dogs but they are usually a year or two+ old so they know better! Get the small dog first then the husky or rescue an older one that you know is gentle with smaller dogs but as said above it's all about the socialising good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolarStorm Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Ps watch them like hawks when they are playing, our husky has a habit of picking up the smaller dog by scruff of neck and dropping him!!! If you're not careful her 'playing' can really hurt them x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astaerelle Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 I personally think this is a bad idea. When we first brought Riley (my husky pup) home, we also had an Italian Greyhound. Riley wanted to play with the greyhound, but it wasn't happening. As Riley got bigger, the greyhound started getting scared of this big fluffy bouncy thing and he started snapping at Riley. It was getting to the point where we needed to get rid of either one of the dogs. In the end, the greyhound was given to my great grandmother, who has fallen in love with him and he is much happier with. Unfortunately she's on holiday at the moment and the small dog has come back to stay with us.. Its REALLY not working out too well. Sometimes its fine, but other times Riley gets too much, especially around food. Its not nice at all and I can't wait until she gets back so she can take the silly little dog off our hands... Like someone said before me, huskies tend to play very rough, and it is often too much for a small dog. I would honestly just get two husky pups. If you end up getting your husky, you will soon see why. They're not like other dogs. Nothing compares to the pride and joy of husky ownership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodsman Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 I would recommend that, after you have your husky for a while, start bringing him/her to a dog park or dog daycare to help get him/her used to being around other dogs (especially the small ones). My dogs were unsure of the little dogs at first, but now love to be in with the little dogs (one of Niko's best friends is a Shih Tzu and they can wrestle for hours on end!) Good luck whatever you decide. Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darc-Brittany Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 My husky LOVES small dogs, he's a gentle giant around them. I had one guy that had a 3 month old beagle compliment how well he was playing with her even though she was trying to bully my guy lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowpup Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Yuri and Aya both love all dogs but Flynn is a bit unsure about small ones, particulary terriers. When he saw a terrier at the vet it kept barking at him and he jumped into my arms. Apart from that he's usually fine with other dogs. We saw a pom he wanted to play with today, but the owner was in a hurry Honestly it depends on the dog and the socilisation you put in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid&BellaNTX Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Sid does really well around all dogs, even small ones. Although some owners are a little scared that he might try eating them, I assure them that he knows how to play nice. Not sure about my Bella yet. She seems to do fine around smaller dogs but just haven't ran across one for a long enough period of time to find out. It would really help if you get the husky first to socialize him/her often around large and small dogs. Would go a long way when deciding to get a smaller dog. Even then it's not a sure thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyCouture Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 it really depends on the dog, and how they were socialized as a puppy. Embry has been fine with all little dogs, even tea cup sized ones, but he was through training classes since he was 4 months and also socialized since we got him at 10 weeks. Zoey we got at 18 weeks old, the breeder tried keeping her to breed later but they couldn't get her to get along with their little dog so they decided to find her a home. She's gotten better as she's gotten older, but she still plays too rough and likes chasing them. I think if you got the Husky first, i'd wait until he/she was over 2 when they calm down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snssewell Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Zihna's breeder had Chihuahuas so she was socialized with small dogs from the beginning. When I took her to the dog park she always played with the little ones rather with the big ones. Unfortunately our dog park is not the greatest place to socialize your dog so I put her into day care 1x a week and she does great there. They have everything from another Husky to a pug and a Chihuahua/Wiener dog mix that is the same age as her and a ity bitty American Bulldog puppy that was the size of a pug last time I saw him. She does fine with all of them. They do play rough though. She plays really rough with my other dog. Sometimes she runs full speed and runs right into him it looks really painful when she does that, especially when my other dog is scratching himself and didn't see it coming. Another friend of mine has a Husky that she has been taking to the dog park 3 times a week and then decided to get a second dog. Not sure what breed she had gotten but it was a puppy and she said that her Husky was so rough that she was scared that he would hurt the puppy while playing so they took the puppy back. Either way you would have to make sure they get along with dogs of all sizes. Doggy day care is really a great place as they can play with dogs of all sizes in a supervised environment. As you can see on this thread it really depends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandora's_box Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 I have a maltese x shihtzu who is almost 1. We just got our husky puppy a couple of weeks ago. They play together fine. Sometimes one gets a little rough and sometimes the other gets a little rough. I'm hoping as they get older they become the best of friends. I've just been trying to stop any agression issues...Not even sure if they are agression issues but Pandora (husky) seems to be a bit bossy and snappy with food. She eats her own and then goes and eats Fifi's...or if I give some scraps she growls and gets a bit snappy. Trying to teach her to wait and feed them separately etc. I'll probably end up asking questions in the future about this! I'm mainly wanting to know what I need to do to ensure my husky doesn't be too rough with my little dog. I'd be devastated if I came home one day and my little dog was injured or even killed! At the moment they are kept apart when I'm out. Goodluck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sytera Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 We brought our mutt into the house when he was 8 weeks old and Hannah was about 3. They get along great and always have. She rolls him all over the place and he just takes it. He is very, very sturdy though. However, she HATES my mom's Pomeranians, but that might be caused by them barking uncontrolably whenever Hannah is near them. We just brought our 4 month old Husky home, stuck her out in the backyard with the other two, and they are all doing great. They don't stay outside, that is just where we had them meet! Basically I'd say it depends totally on the dogs. I definatly wouldn't get a fragile breed small dog. A sturdy little one would be much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettemann7 Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Thank you all very much for your perspectives. I was expecting differences in experience but was hoping it would end up heavily in favor of one side over the other. Clearly it is individual dog dependent! I am sure my wife would not mind having two huskies so maybe we will go with that if we can't seem to get the first one to warm up to smaller dogs and not play too rough. I also appreciate the suggestion of just getting a smaller dog with a stronger frame so they can handle the rough play. I appreciate all the opinions and experiences and would still like to read more experiences if there are those that havent yet shared. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettemann7 Posted April 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Also, just curious, but did any of you consider getting an alaskan malamute instead of a husky, and if you did why did you go with the husky? I am aware of the differences in the breeds, just curious as I have gone back and forth with which one to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirbysowner Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 gotta say even the option of getting a second husky is the same as with the smaller dogs. yes another husky would be better at rough play, but some ppl in here have tried getting a second husky and ends up not working up. Sometimes a dog just doesnt lilke another dog. best option is to get one, socialize it well, and then once you are getting your second one socialize them both and look for a dog that your husky tolerates, that way you dont get a dog and give it away a week later.. good luck and best whishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husky princess Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Also, just curious, but did any of you consider getting an alaskan malamute instead of a husky, and if you did why did you go with the husky? I am aware of the differences in the breeds, just curious as I have gone back and forth with which one to get. mals are designed for weight pulling so are very strong. they know they are stronger than you and can have strong dominance issues. you need to have clear boundaries in the home etc, many mals are stroppy and have their moments with other dogs much more than sibes are built for running faster believe me still strong. Both dogs can be very loving, very people orientated. i wouldnt have a mal before based on their size/strength alone, but now i have experienced them at rallies/races, i defo wont be getting one - they're not for me. IF you are unsure - i recommend you going to some husky/mal events and meet owners, breeders etc and weigh it all up. perhaps visit some working kennels of both breeds and go from there. its easy to generalise, of course there are variatons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husky princess Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 i agree its much to do with the individual dog whether that scenario would work or not as well as you having the right leadership balance etc. i totally believe that you need to get one to behave in a way that is accetable and relaxed before you introduce another other the bad behaviour will be massive. rough play would probably too much for some breeds. Getting an in your face yapping dog wouldnt last 5mins in my garden...storm would soon sort that out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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