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Temperament
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What is the proper temperament of the Siberian Husky?
The Siberian Husky has a delightful temperament, affectionate but not fawning. This gentle and friendly disposition may be a heritage from the past, since the
Chukchi people held their dogs in great esteem, housed them in the family shelters, and encouraged their children to play with them. The Siberian Husky is alert, eager to please, and adaptable. An aggressive dog is not a team dog, and therefore a lousy sled dog. Siberians are an EXTREMELY intelligent and independent breed. They can be very stubborn, owing to their original purpose, and they are
easily bored. This independent and stubborn nature may at times challenge your ingenuity. His versatility makes him an agreeable companion to people of all ages and varying interests. However, this is not a breed that is typically recommended for first-time dog owners, as mistakes are easy to make and sometimes difficult to fix with this remarkably intelligent and opportunistic breed.
While capable of showing strong affection for his family, the Siberian Husky is not usually a one-man dog. He exhibits no fear or suspicion of strangers and is as likely to greet a would be thief as warmly as a trusted family member. This is not the temperament of a watch-dog, although a Siberian Husky may unwittingly act as a deterrent to those ignorant of his true hospitable nature, simply due to his intense personality and appearance.
Due to the increasing popularity of the breed, many Siberians are being bred without proper consideration of the special characteristics outlined here that make the Siberian Husky a unique breed. If you plan to purchase a puppy or older dog, please take into account this temperament summary. Siberians that show these temperament characteristics are good representations of the breed, and make excellent companions.
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I've heard that Siberian Huskies are "cat killers" is this true?
They can be. It depends on how they are socialized as puppies and how strong their prey-drive is. If they are not socialized to smaller animals as puppies, they will likely kill most small animals they encounter (rabbits, squirrels, cats, etc). Siberian Huskies, as a breed, have a very strong prey drive. What this means is that most have the natural instinct to hunt. Small furry animals that run away, are likely to be chased, and unfortunately in some cases killed. I do not recommend bringing a Siberian Husky into a home with a cat. While some will do all right in this situation, most will not. Only on one occasion have I placed a puppy in a home with a cat. The cat was 12 weeks old and the puppy was 10 weeks old. The fact that they grew up together allowed the cat to become a "pack member". This same dog did not regard neighborhood cats in the same way.
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I have a newborn/small child. Is he/she safe with my Siberian Husky?
It is never a good idea to trust any dog around a small child unsupervised, no matter how docile the dog (and child) seem. Be extremely careful and supervise the dog and child. Gradually introduce the situation to both to make them both comfortable. Bringing home a hospital blanket that the baby has been wrapped in can help the dog get accustomed to the new scents before the baby arrives, and since it was brought home by you, it is received in a positive light. This advice has nothing to do with the Siberian Husky breed in particular, as Siberian Huskies are supposed to be able to get along well with people as well as other dogs because of their "team" instinct.
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I've heard that Siberian Huskies are "high strung". Is that true?
Yes and no. Siberians are a very energetic breed. As a working dog, they need something to do, some way of challenging their intelligence and an outlet for their energy. If they are not provided one, they will find one for themselves - occasionally with destructive consequences.
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I've heard that Siberian Huskies are mischevious? Is that true?
Yes and no. Siberians are very intelligent dogs. They will often do things that surprise their owners. They can get into things that one might think are impossible. When Siberians are bored, they can become quite mischievous, inventive, and destructive. This is typical of working dogs. This is why it is so important to include the Siberian in family activities and give him plenty of attention and exercise.
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