yeah, about killing things... mine killed a goat. my girlfriends sister had her out in the country while i was out of town, and when i got back, i had a bit of a surprise.
My pound shepherd was in the pound for killing chickens so maybe I shouldn't have said he loves everything 
.
.Originally posted
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.
What everyone has said about Huskies is true. I had one that died of Kidney failure when he was around four, but he definitely liked to dig, escape (ran through the highest power invisible fence available) and didn't come back on his own. He went to the pound a few times and funny thing is, always had a few families lined up to adopt him. He would pull us on a sled in the winter, and scare the UPS man away. Oh, he was definitely smart too.
I wouldn't recommend one unless sledding is one of your hobbies.
Edit: And yes, they do kill things. Mine played with oppossums but didn't kill them. However, one time he ran away to a place where this dude raised gamecocks (which is illegal of course) and broke into the cages and got one. A neighbor down the way called us and said our dog was in their front yard with a red face. He was eating the fvcking chicken.
lol, and just as I post I read this. Man, dogs really love chicken, eh?
Inappropriate love towards chickens anyway . My female shepherd has never been an escaper but my male one and my male mutt both are. One goes over the fence and the other goes under. I too have one of those invisible fences backing up my chainlink one and it works fine. I did have to buy the stubborn dog version for the male shepherd though.
Could always get a husky shepherd mix. I see them in the pounds/rescues all the time and they are usually good looking dogs. Get the best or worst of both.
. My female shepherd has never been an escaper but my male one and my male mutt both are. One goes over the fence and the other goes under. I too have one of those invisible fences backing up my chainlink one and it works fine. I did have to buy the stubborn dog version for the male shepherd though. Could always get a husky shepherd mix. I see them in the pounds/rescues all the time and they are usually good looking dogs. Get the best or worst
of both.
IronWing
No Lifer
- Jul 20, 2001
- 73,530
- 35,224
- 136
I grew up with a husky/shepard mix. He lived to be fifteen. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Also they like to run. German Shepards are prone to hip displasia (sp?), a chronic wasting of the muscles in the hips so getting a pure bred shepard is not a good idea. Either breed will demand a lot of your time. They want to be with you, always. I'll add more later today when I have more time to wax poetic.
Before deciding on breed you might want to consider gender. The questions you asked depend more on sex then type of dog. Generally female dogs are lower maintenance then male ones. On average they smell less, run away less (male dogs are always looking for a thing to hump especially if there is a female dog in heat in the neighborhood) and less aggressive (get into less fights). The downside of a female dog is that you will have problems 2 times a year: you have to keep you pet on leash and fight other dogs, there is also bleeding but they usually clean after themselves. One more thing is that you should breed a dog at least once for it to be healthy ( no such problem with males obviously).
When choosing breed you should mainly look on energy. I suspect that huskies on average are more difficult to make tired as they are smaller then shepherd and were selected for stamina to pull a sledge. It all depends on your stamina actually: if you jog every day and hike regularly you might want to get husky so it would follow you around , if you prefer walks and relaxing get lower energy dog (so you can make it tired in say 30-40 min walking/throwing ball/stick). If a pet is bored it will eat things and dig holes. Other things like aggression/obedience are matter of training/authority (dont let your dog run the house, show it who is the boss, you have to dominate).
Generally speaking owners resemble their dogs even physically. Go to a park and look around you will notice facial resemblance. So , just look into a mirror and compare to a picture of husky/shepherd , get the one that looks more like you
On a more serious note about breed, I used to own a collie. They are really nice dogs. Collies are the same type as husky/shepherds in terms of intelligence but probably more friendly, smell less and have nicer fur but lots of it (could be annoying). About bathing I dont know why you should wash a dog unless it was digging in a garbage pile. We washed our dog (with shampoo etc.) 2 times a year. There was actually no reason to do this , she did not smell at all unless she got wet. Of course you might want to wash paws before letting it into your house.
In any case all dogs are fun, good luck.
When choosing breed you should mainly look on energy. I suspect that huskies on average are more difficult to make tired as they are smaller then shepherd and were selected for stamina to pull a sledge. It all depends on your stamina actually: if you jog every day and hike regularly you might want to get husky so it would follow you around , if you prefer walks and relaxing get lower energy dog (so you can make it tired in say 30-40 min walking/throwing ball/stick). If a pet is bored it will eat things and dig holes. Other things like aggression/obedience are matter of training/authority (dont let your dog run the house, show it who is the boss, you have to dominate).
Generally speaking owners resemble their dogs even physically. Go to a park and look around you will notice facial resemblance. So , just look into a mirror and compare to a picture of husky/shepherd , get the one that looks more like you
On a more serious note about breed, I used to own a collie. They are really nice dogs. Collies are the same type as husky/shepherds in terms of intelligence but probably more friendly, smell less and have nicer fur but lots of it (could be annoying). About bathing I dont know why you should wash a dog unless it was digging in a garbage pile. We washed our dog (with shampoo etc.) 2 times a year. There was actually no reason to do this , she did not smell at all unless she got wet. Of course you might want to wash paws before letting it into your house.
In any case all dogs are fun, good luck.
I have had several German Shepherds and can not imagine owning any other breed. They are energetic and intelligent, so they need exercise and an interesting environment or they will find something to do that you probably won't appreciate (digging, chasing other animals. etc.). They tend to have hip problems but not dramatically more than other large breeds. Get one from a good breeder and have a vet check the dog out. Be ready to spend some time training the dog in some basic commands and you will have a loyal and trustworthy companion.
Kelemvor
Lifer
- May 23, 2002
- 16,928
- 8
- 81
Do you want a dog for the protection aspect or more just for a family pet? I'd personally go with a Golden Retriever. They are one of the friendliest dogs you'll ever find. Area great with other dogs, cats, children, infants, etc. Are very intelligent and trainable. We have a Golden now and are fostering a second one until he can be adopted. They are just so loving and caring I don't know that I'd ever get a different breed.
If you're in or near WI, we got ours from http://www.grrow.org/ They might have links to other rescues around too.
If you're in or near WI, we got ours from http://www.grrow.org/ They might have links to other rescues around too.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
We had 2 purebred shepherds on the farm. Both a couple of the best dogs I ever had.
We got Toby from the vet hospital that my sister works at. He had been beaten & stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken leg. He came to us with a shy disposition and was very afraid of people at first. He grew into our family and we had him for 13 years before he was hit by a truck while chasing a rabbit. He was such a great friend of mine, I miss him a lot!
R.M.E. (pronounced "Army" - I didn't pick the name) was purchased from a police-dog breeding kennel and was with us for about 5 years before he too was struck by a vehicle coming home from doing the bitch across the road. He was a fantastic dog but never got the training he deserved.
x 2
I love German Shepherds... they are great dogs. The only other dog that I remember loving as much was our Bouvier from when I was a kid.
We got Toby from the vet hospital that my sister works at. He had been beaten & stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken leg. He came to us with a shy disposition and was very afraid of people at first. He grew into our family and we had him for 13 years before he was hit by a truck while chasing a rabbit. He was such a great friend of mine, I miss him a lot!
R.M.E. (pronounced "Army" - I didn't pick the name) was purchased from a police-dog breeding kennel and was with us for about 5 years before he too was struck by a vehicle coming home from doing the bitch across the road. He was a fantastic dog but never got the training he deserved.
I love German Shepherds... they are great dogs. The only other dog that I remember loving as much was our Bouvier from when I was a kid.
Originally posted by: triacontahedron
Before deciding on breed you might want to consider gender. The questions you asked depend more on sex then type of dog. Generally female dogs are lower maintenance then male ones. On average they smell less, run away less (male dogs are always looking for a thing to hump especially if there is a female dog in heat in the neighborhood) and less aggressive (get into less fights). The downside of a female dog is that you will have problems 2 times a year: you have to keep you pet on leash and fight other dogs, there is also bleeding but they usually clean after themselves. One more thing is that you should breed a dog at least once for it to be healthy ( no such problem with males obviously).
When choosing breed you should mainly look on energy. I suspect that huskies on average are more difficult to make tired as they are smaller then shepherd and were selected for stamina to pull a sledge. It all depends on your stamina actually: if you jog every day and hike regularly you might want to get husky so it would follow you around , if you prefer walks and relaxing get lower energy dog (so you can make it tired in say 30-40 min walking/throwing ball/stick). If a pet is bored it will eat things and dig holes. Other things like aggression/obedience are matter of training/authority (dont let your dog run the house, show it who is the boss, you have to dominate).
Generally speaking owners resemble their dogs even physically. Go to a park and look around you will notice facial resemblance. So , just look into a mirror and compare to a picture of husky/shepherd , get the one that looks more like you
On a more serious note about breed, I used to own a collie. They are really nice dogs. Collies are the same type as husky/shepherds in terms of intelligence but probably more friendly, smell less and have nicer fur but lots of it (could be annoying). About bathing I dont know why you should wash a dog unless it was digging in a garbage pile. We washed our dog (with shampoo etc.) 2 times a year. There was actually no reason to do this , she did not smell at all unless she got wet. Of course you might want to wash paws before letting it into your house.
In any case all dogs are fun, good luck.
Thanks for the great information. I still don't know which would be better a husky or shepherd. I definitely would like to run with my dog fairly often so either dog would leave me in the dust there.
The whole escaping thing would get on my nerves. Maybe I should look more into shepherds or a mix of shepherd/husky.
If Anyone has more info feel free to share.
uh no especially the last part. The male female thing doesn't really matter personality wise. If you neuter a male dog they will be no more likely to run off then a spayed female dog. Some dogs just like to run off more then others male or female. A female dog will not bleed twice a year if she is spayed and it would be stupid not to have her spayed and letting one breed once doesn't make them healthier. Thats just dumb.
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,998
- 126
I had a Shepherd and think they're a great breed. They're smart, easily trained, VERY loyal to the family while not being a danger to others as long as they're well trained.
The downsides: They can be agressive if their owner lets them get away with it. There are also hip dysplasia issues.
The downsides: They can be agressive if their owner lets them get away with it. There are also hip dysplasia issues.
I have a Shepherd/Husky mix. The mother was a pure husky and the father was a pure shepherd.
http://www.pbase.com/xchangx/kimball
He's a great dog and really smart. He hasn't shown one sign of aggression, no growling, no showing top teeth, very friendly, but sheds a whole lot.
http://www.pbase.com/xchangx/kimball
He's a great dog and really smart. He hasn't shown one sign of aggression, no growling, no showing top teeth, very friendly, but sheds a whole lot.
That is complete bull crap.
No matter what kind of dog you get you should have it spayed or neutered.
I have a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever mix.
Will this be an inside dog? The shepherd will patrol at night because that is pretty much what shepherding is all about. So if you are a light sleeper and have wooden floors get used to hearing toe nails walking around the place at night.
All in all the shepherd is a great dog. You also get the added bonus of people associating them with police dogs so that can be an added deterrent to would be criminals.
lupi
Lifer
- Apr 8, 2001
- 32,539
- 260
- 126
I've got an alaskan husky/lab/wolf mix from when I lived in the NW. Once trained a very loyal and obidient dog. About 125lbs at 10 yrs old. Around 36 inches tall. The only time he ever smells is if he stays outside for abit while its raining. Since he has a tendancy to molt his fur, we don't bath him but take him to get a real short hair cut about twice a year, otherrwise it looks like you got a pack of dogs in the house.
I have a husky. She is a very smart dog, but can be stubborn at times. Loves the outdoors, and is very strong (sometimes hard to walk). She sheds quite a bit if you do not keep her trimmed, especially when she gets her winter coat. She also doesn't like the water.
If you like the idea of cutting your pet balls out good luck with this. It is your personal choice. Next thing we should do maybe is to cut their legs so they don't run away or cut their throats so they don't bark ... oh, sorry, they already do this. There are situation when neutering is necessary but there is no point doing this to a family pet.
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