Does anyone here own a Siberian Husky or a German Shepherd?

[PurdueRy]

I am thinking about getting one of these two dogs sometime after I graduate. From what I have read in books and on the internet, the husky requires fewer baths(4 times year is all that is required I guess they don't smell) but the shepherd is easier to train and more loyal.

I was curious if I could get some input from people here who have actually owned one of these dogs. I would appreciate any input into your experiences on both. I don't know what setting I would be living in so while that will eventually factor into my choice, it doesn't right now.

Thanks!

 

[Xylitol]

The shepherd you'll need to have interact with other dogs / humans
My friend gave his shepherd to his uncle and it ate the uncle's dog (Prob not normal but still...)

The husky needs less baths not because of its smell but because of its oils or something like that?
Huskies cost a lot

I'd personally rather get a shepherd and train it because I think that they're beautiful and very friendly
(My cousin had one)
Both shed ALOT

Edit: I dont have either of the dogs, but I know people who do and I've interacted with them

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Xylitol
The shepherd you'll need to have interact with other dogs / humans
My friend gave his shepherd to his uncle and it ate the uncle's dog (Prob not normal but still...)

LOFl.....wtf


<--has a German shepherd...


you have to spend time with them.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Xylitol
The shepherd you'll need to have interact with other dogs / humans
My friend gave his shepherd to his uncle and it ate the uncle's dog (Prob not normal but still...)

The husky needs less baths not because of its smell but because of its oils or something like that?
Huskies cost a lot

I'd personally rather get a shepherd and train it because I think that they're beautiful and very friendly
(My cousin had one)
Both shed ALOT

Edit: I dont have either of the dogs, but I know people who do and I've interacted with them

All the dogs I like shed a lot

I just heard that the huskies really don't ever smell like dog. Maybe it is due to certain oils on their coat/skin. Just an interesting fact.

Thanks for sharing

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Xylitol
The shepherd you'll need to have interact with other dogs / humans
My friend gave his shepherd to his uncle and it ate the uncle's dog (Prob not normal but still...)

LOFl.....wtf


<--has a German shepherd...


you have to spend time with them.

pics of german shepherd? :camera:

 

[Gilligansdingy]

I have a nice scar from a husky. Thank goodness its dead now.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Gilligansdingy
I have a nice scar from a husky. Thank goodness its dead now.

What happened?

 

[Captante]

I have a large Shepherd mixed-breed (got hime from a shelter so i'm not certain what the other breed is) & he's a great dog... very sweet & loyal plus very protective of my daughters. The most important thing you need to do with these dogs is to establish dominance over them while they are puppys especially with males and be very consistant in training them & socializing them with other dogs for the first year, but then this is true of most large breeds & the reward for doing it right with a Shepherd is well worth the effort.

About the only negative is that he does shed A LOT ... its tough to get out to work in the morning without an extra layer of fur along for the ride!

 

[Gilligansdingy]

I was 11 and attacked on the way home from school. Owner said she owned it for protection. Attacking small school children is not protection.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Gilligansdingy
I was 11 and attacked on the way home from school. Owner said she owned it for protection. Attacking small school children is not protection.

Sounds like an irresponsible owner who did not watch his dog properly

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Captante
I have a large Shepherd mixed-breed (got hime from a shelter so i'm not certain what the other breed is) & he's a great dog... very sweet & loyal plus very protective of my daughters. The most important thing you need to do with these dogs is to establish dominance over them while they are puppys especially with males and be very consistant in training them & socializing them with other dogs for the first year, but then this is true of most large breeds & the reward for doing it right with a Shepherd is well worth the effort.

About the only negative is that he does shed A LOT ... its tough to get out to work in the morning without an extra layer of fur along for the ride!

What do you do if you wanted to go on vacation(assuming there is no one left in the house? How do they handle being alone for a few days? Do you give them to a neighbor/coworker?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I am thinking about getting one of these two dogs sometime after I graduate. From what I have read in books and on the internet, the husky requires fewer baths(4 times year is all that is required I guess they don't smell) but the shepherd is easier to train and more loyal.

"Requires"?

Do dogs spontaneously combust if they aren't bathed on a very regular schedule, or something?

Both dogs are cool, so I'd get whichever you think is cooler

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Gilligansdingy
I was 11 and attacked on the way home from school. Owner said she owned it for protection. Attacking small school children is not protection.

Sounds like an irresponsible owner who did not watch his dog properly

Agreed, bad owner, not bad dog.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I am thinking about getting one of these two dogs sometime after I graduate. From what I have read in books and on the internet, the husky requires fewer baths(4 times year is all that is required I guess they don't smell) but the shepherd is easier to train and more loyal.

"Requires"?

Do dogs spontaneously combust if they aren't bathed on a very regular schedule, or something?

Both dogs are cool, so I'd get whichever you think is cooler

As In requires before the smell will be legally classified as a WMD by President Bush and war declared on you.

 

[Apex]

Husky + 30 to 50 lbs + less shedding + more intelligent + no digging yard + less exercise necessary + better with children + more loyal = Akita

On the flip side, you have to establish yourself as the alpha or else it will.

 

[Xylitol]

Originally posted by: Apex
Husky + 30 to 50 lbs + less shedding + more intelligent + no digging yard + less exercise necessary + better with children + more loyal = Akita

On the flip side, you have to establish yourself as the alpha or else it will.

FLUFFY I AM THE ALPHA MALE
-American dad rules

 

[thedarkwolf]

Most dogs don't stink anyway unless they get into something. I hardly ever bath my three dogs two of which are shepherds. You do need to socialize shepherds but thats true of pretty much any dogs. My female doesn't care to much for strangers while my male pound shepherd loves everybody and everything. I've never had a husky but I've been around a lot and never meet a mean one sofar. Get one of each. Need to have alteast two dogs anyway .

 

[sygyzy]

German Sheppards are cool dogs but extremely dirty and smelly.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Most dogs don't stink anyway unless they get into something. I hardly ever bath my three dogs two of which are shepherds. You do need to socialize shepherds but thats true of pretty much any dogs. My female doesn't care to much for strangers while my male pound shepherd loves everybody and everything. I've never had a husky but I've been around a lot and never meet a mean one sofar. Get one of each. Need to have alteast two dogs anyway .

I am hearing that you should have two of both huskies and shepherds...does that increase the work they require a lot and would you recommend getting 2 right from the start(I would be a first time dog owner)

 

[thedarkwolf]

I don't know about two puppies right from the start for a first timer. One puppy by itself is usually a pretty big PITA but then you would only have to go through it once . Having multiple dogs isn't really a problem. They can entertain themselves easier that way and its not really any harder to walk two then one, feed two then one, etc. It does cost more though since you have to have two of everything including vet bills. If you do go for two you would be better off going with a male and a female. You usually run into less fighting problems that way. You may want to consider going with a young already trained dog from a rescue too. Then you can skip the annoying puppy phase.

 

[theblackbox]

huskies are great dogs, but like to escape. They will dig, and will try to get out of any fence if given the chance. They are very bright, and learn very well. They are also very playful, very loyal, and very obediant dogs. I use to have a husky and it was by far the best dog i ever had. The only thing is unless you are in decent weather, it is really a shame to have one in high humidity or heat. They have two layers of fur, and the bottom layer is oily so they have good airconditioning and heating, it's just they do not do as well in the heat if you overly exert them.
You do have to get used to their annoying wierd bark when they decide they want something or are interested in other things.

And, btw, any dog bites. It's easy to blame the owner, but the truth is that even the most trained dog is still an animal. Treat it with respect and treat it with the idea that it can bite, and accidents are less likely to happen.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
huskies are great dogs, but like to escape. They will dig, and will try to get out of any fence if given the chance. They are very bright, and learn very well. They are also very playful, very loyal, and very obediant dogs. I use to have a husky and it was by far the best dog i ever had. The only thing is unless you are in decent weather, it is really a shame to have one in high humidity or heat. They have two layers of fur, and the bottom layer is oily so they have good airconditioning and heating, it's just they do not do as well in the heat if you overly exert them.
You do have to get used to their annoying wierd bark when they decide they want something or are interested in other things.

And, btw, any dog bites. It's easy to blame the owner, but the truth is that even the most trained dog is still an animal. Treat it with respect and treat it with the idea that it can bite, and accidents are less likely to happen.

I keep hearing that Huskies will run away...that kinda scares me. I wouldn't want to accidentally lose my dog just because it decided to escape.

 

[theblackbox]

they come back. they are just big on exploring and they love to run. a good fence and a watchful owner curbs the behaviour

 

[I Saw OJ]

My parents had a husky when I was in high school heres a couple things about that dog, and I think huskies are known for in general

• Digging, he would dig dig and dig the yard up

• Always trying to escape, he would rip blanks out of the fence and run off. Went to the pound more than once.

• Killed animals smaller than him, cats, birds you name it, however he was great with humans of all sizes.

• Full of energy, likes to run run run

• Too damn smart for his own good

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
they come back. they are just big on exploring and they love to run. a good fence and a watchful owner curbs the behaviour

How hard are they to train? I hear their independence sometimes makes them try to "run the show"