markquinton Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 (edited) Hi all I have had my heart set on a husky or mal for a good few years and we are approaching a time where it might now be possible for me to get one. I have done tons of research and understand the commitments, difficulties and pleasures of ownership. However everything I read says both breeds are not suitable for a first time dog owner, which I am. I am of the opinion that if you want anything enough then it is possible through dedication and patience but I want to make sure whether you owners agree. Are there any first time dog owners on this forum that could advise? I am only interested in a husky or mal and don't want to have to find another breed just to gain experience. Any advice would be very welcome indeed. Thanks in advance. Mark Edited December 16, 2012 by markquinton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 just one thing to say here yes, as long as you know the work you need to put in and you have done your reserch then yes. we all started some where an we're here to help xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Kira was my first dog, she's still here and we have adopted 2 more! Admittedly though she has always been quite an easy going husky, and we're not that houseproud so destruction didn't bother us, and neither did the holes in the garden! As long as you have the time, energy and forgiving nature needed for a 'difficult' sibe (i.e hyper, noisy, destructive, difficult to train) then you will be fine, but you do need to be prepared to have a difficult sibe as some can be, my boy can be very hard work at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paranormal Wolf Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Agree with the above. You've stated that you've been researching the breeds and that's a big step many don't take before getting a dog. As long as you know the good and the bad that are associated with the breed, are prepared to deal with the hard parts and the good parts, are capable of having a dog and providing for its needs then I say you'll do fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markquinton Posted December 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Thanks, this is partly why I'm still considering a Mal, Huskies have always been my preference (maybe because I've met more) but the more docile nature of the Mal is still an appeal although I understand they can be more stubborn and if not socialised they can display more dog aggression. Decisions...decisions.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aronoiiel Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Im a first time dog owner amd all I can say is between mass research and this spectacular forum I have survived it and couldnt ask for a better dog or greater support system from this place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponder85 Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 We were first time dog owners. We adopted a two yr old rewcue. I can tell you without that experience, our sibe puppy would have been a nightmare. But as long as you know what you are getting yourself into you will be fine. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Experience is beneficial but what's more important is the right attitude and willingness to adapt in my opinion. Good luck with your search. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Personally I find sibes easier than mals, not all mallys are laid back and lazy, same as not all sibes are hyper. And there is more chance of dog aggression which is very difficult to deal with even for someone experienced. I've had a DA dog and it is one of the hardest things to deal with when it comes to dog ownership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simhauu Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 First time owner right here. Your research already gives you advantage. It's not impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basketcase687 Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Hi all I have had my heart set on a husky or mal for a good few years and we are approaching a time where it might now be possible for me to get one. I have done tons of research and understand the commitments, difficulties and pleasures of ownership. However everything I read says both breeds are not suitable for a first time dog owner, which I am. I am of the opinion that if you want anything enough then it is possible through dedication and patience but I want to make sure whether you owners agree. Are there any first time dog owners on this forum that could advise? I am only interested in a husky or mal and don't want to have to find another breed just to gain experience. Any advice would be very welcome indeed. Thanks in advance. Mark Not all sibes are hyper or destructive.We have 4 and they are all well behaved.It's all about the time you can give them and your lifestyle .As you rightly say,if you want something enough.......Good luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celestial Echo Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 Echo was my first dog as an adult, and she has been fantastic, and we have grown a lot and I am constantly learning from her every day. As long as you are in a place that will allow you have have dogs, and you don't plan on that changing any time soon, and you have done your research about the breed, than there is no reason that having a husky as a first dog would be an issue. They are wonderful companions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedJasper Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 First timer here too. Now I have 3. Good luck with what ever road you choose to travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceybob Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 I got a Husky as my first dog and now I train them regularly. Stacey xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeo Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 I honestly don't think owning a couple of non-husky dogs before has helped me any! Besides the basics like feeding and such, they were not like my husky at all. As long as you are willing to adapt your lifestyle around owning a dog/husky, I think you will do fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjwrx Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 First time dog owner as well. Got a husky pup and yorkie pup the same day! Boy was it stressful the first two weeks. As long as you've done your research and you're willing to persevere it can be done. panda is an angel indoors, very laid back more than happy to lay down all day so long as he gets his morning walk and a trip to the of park. Outdoors he's an energetic bugger, always alert and eager to meet n greet. Either way you will have a handful at first but you'll never regret a moment of it. Like many here you'd probably crave for a 2nd haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolf39518 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 As with anything in life it takes preparation and perspiration. I myself will be a first time husky owner as soon as everything that is going on right now calms down. *long story-Life long dream* My point being that as long as you feel ready and enter it with an open mind knowing that everything will not go as you like all the time then i do not think you will have any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Angel n Auroras Mum Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 huskies and mals are like fingerprints, all are different. none of mine destroy but ones hyper (mad) and ones lazy. i recommend crate training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 I was a first time dog owner too and I got a husky pup at 10 weeks old and now I have 2. It's a lot of work but worth it! My two are very different, Nikko is the typical hyper husky and Yukon is more laid back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemary Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 We have had dogs before - a Great Dane, a Boxer and a Staffie. I can honestly say I don't think having had them prepared me for my first husky. Within a few weeks of getting my first husky (not enough research done), I was on the internet looking for information to help me understand him Since finding Husky Owners, I have learned a lot, got to understand my gorgeous boy better, and got my second husky. I think it all depends on you as a person - how much you are willing to work with your husky, how much you are willing to give up for your Siberian Husky, and realising that once you have your husky - it is for life, and that your life will never be the same again. I am not exaggerating ........ your life does change - for the better, but it is a huge adjustment There is a reason why people who don't own huskies think we are crazy, they can't understand how anyone can be willing to give up so much for a 'dog' - or maybe it is just my family that thinks that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Suka is my first dog and we get along fine. Although I got lucky and managed to adopt one of the rare lazy ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markquinton Posted December 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 A big thank you to all those that replied! It's been good to put my mind at rest that it's possible. This is such a great forum!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 (edited) I've had dogs all my life... We got Kodiak, a Mal, in June/July after losing our Collie X to cancer. I can tell you, no matter how much reading you do, at some point you need to put you're foot in the water to test the temperature!!! Malamutes are COMPLETELY different any other dog i know... We did the same, did research, looked at both Sibes and Mals, then decided on a Mal... Kodiak certainly is a character. His personality is like nothing i've witnessed before. He always answers back, always has to have the last word, completely ignores us half the time, but at the same time, he's loving, affectionate, and despite his size (he's a Giant Mal), you sometimes forget he's in the house. It's surprising how much they can learn...and how intelligent Mals are... We never crated Kodiak, and still don't. He has access to the Kitchen, hallway and first floor landing when we're not around. the only damage that he has done, is chewing the woodwork whilst he was teething. The only thing to bear in mind, that Mals do get bigger than Sibes, and with Mals, we're not talking a few kgs...Kodiak is currently 49kgs and still has a lot of growing to do. We didn't know that Kodiak would grow to the size he is already, and he's only 8 months old!!! Mals will test your patience to your limits, but you can't help but love their dopey look and their personality!!!! Edited December 17, 2012 by RJS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markquinton Posted December 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I must admit if we chose a mal then it would have to be a female, firstly because my wife wants to balance the male/female numbers in our home (already have 2 male cats, 1 female cat and 1 son) and also because they seem to be more slight in build and closer to the husky. I know this is not always the case though, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austinville Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Of course you can be a successful with a Siberian as your first dog. As long as you understand and accept the traits of the breed. I would advise having a mentor of some sort, at the very minimum keeping in touch with members of this forum for those days when you don't feel like you are going to make it through - and trust me, they will happen. We were all beginners with this breed at some point. Some of us dove right in and our first dogs were huskies. Others didn't get our huskies until we'd had several other breeds. Either way you look at it, there are benefits to both scenarios. By having other breeds first, you learn loads, but at the same time, the things you've learned will not necessarily transfer to the husky. Oh heck, I'll be honest....for the most part, anything you've learned with other breeds typically won't transfer to the husky! The key, IMO, is to understand what you're getting yourself into. If you expect a breed to come running when you call it and fall all over itself asking you what it can do for you, I'd advise not getting a husky. And while it doesn't happen with every husky, if you aren't prepared to lose your carpeting, your walls, your finely groomed lawn...don't get a husky. If you don't think you'll get up and walk it when it's 20 below, aren't prepared for dodgy tummies, don't agree that the perfect accessory to every outfit is husky hair, or aren't willing to keep them on lead, then perhaps the breed isn't for you. However, if you're prepared to reason with a husky to get them to do what you want, are ready to have a literal 'clown' living in your home (couple this with a perpetual two year old - going on 20!) and you have the ideal dog for your home. Whatever you chose, know that this forum was built to assist each and every husky owner with the trials and tribulations of this wonderful breed. For the majority of us, this is the only breed we'll ever own. Call us crazy, but it works for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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