How do you choose a Siberian Husky breeder to acquire your new puppy from? What separates bad breeders from good ones, and good ones from great ones? Here are the things you need to consider when dealing with breeders of Husky puppies and looking for a new pup.

Initial Research

First, look for breeders in your area. You can use our Breeder Directory as a starting point, or the SHCA Referral Directory, and also consider breeders in your neighboring states if there aren’t many local to you. You want to be able to visit the breeder, on at least two occasions, so it makes sense to choose from breeders you can easily visit. Buying from a breeder that will freight the dog to you, without checking you out first, is a sign of a breeder who is more interested in selling puppies than finding the right one to match your requirements.

It should go without saying (but we will say it anyway) you should avoid pet stores, puppy farms and any other party who you suspect is not breeding for the betterment of the Siberian Husky breed. By working with a responsible breeder you are likely to get a healthier puppy that is socialized, pay less for the puppy (no retail margins), and are helping to stamp out poor breeding practices.

You should also start forming a relationship with your local vet and ask him or her for referrals to local breeders, breeding clubs, or Siberian Husky clubs that can help you locate a breeder.

Before visiting a Husky breeder always give them a call first – nobody likes unannounced drop-ins! They might out presenting their dogs at a show (another good sign they are working on improving the breed). You should ask them if they are members of any breeding clubs, and/or who mentored them: either of which is a sign of a dedicated breeder. You should ask about their history with the breed: why did they choose to breed Siberian Huskies and how long have they been doing it for? This will help avoid inexperienced breeders.

The breeder is also likely to ask questions of you and what kind of puppy you are looking for, what environment you live in, and other questions to help decide that you will be a responsible pet owner. Beware of any breeder that encourages you to rush your decision without checking you out.

Responsible breeders do not breed every year, and it is likely that you talk to kennels that do not have any puppies available at all. You can ask for referrals to other breeders: good breeders know other breeders in the vicinity. You might even need to be patient and wait a number of months until new litters are born. The breeder will most certainly be able to keep your details on hand for that event and contact you in the future.

First Visit

On your first visit, your aim is to evaluate the breeder and the premises and start forming a relationship. A good breeder will show you around and let you inspect where the puppies spend most of their time. A clean and maintained environment is what you are looking for.

Also, do the puppies seem happy to have you around? Responsible breeders will socialize dogs early and get them used to new sights, smells, sounds, and experiences. If most or all the puppies run away at your sight it could be a warning sign that this socialization has not occurred.

The size of the property, the number of dogs on site, website, advertising, and other promotional material from the breeder is not an indication of the quality of the dogs being bred.

Resist the urge to make a decision on this first visit, no matter how cute and adorable the puppies are! You and the breeder should be working together to find a puppy with a temperament suited to your lifestyle. The breeder should be asking lots of questions about you in order to suggest potential puppies for you. In turn, you should feel comfortable talking to the breeder, asking the hard questions such as the health of the breeding line, documentation demonstrating the parents are healthy and resistant to Siberian Husky health issues such as eye and hip disorders. Registration papers are good but just remember they only demonstrate the parents were registered, and do not indicate the overall health prospects of the pups.

A breeder should be respectful of your decision to visit other breeders and find a dog that suits you. Any breeder who puts the ‘hard sell’ on you is most likely in it for the money, and not the long term future of the dog.

Second Visit and Collection

Now you want to start getting serious about making a decision – asking more questions that might have been raised when you visited other breeders. If it takes you a third, fourth, or further visit to help make the right decision then so be it. Breeders are generally very happy to have responsible pet owners visit them, and not let their puppy leave as the result of a rushed decision.

A good breeder will not let a puppy go until at least 8 weeks of age, after the first round of vaccinations and worming treatments. They should be able to provide you with a schedule of future health activities you need to undertake, plus written information on diet and care for your puppy. Desexing (‘spaying’ or ‘neutering’) is also likely to be a discussion point and may have already been taken care of for you. Responsible breeders don’t want to encourage future breeding of inexperienced owners.

Most good breeders, if not all, will be able to provide some sort of guarantee as to the health of the puppy. Responsible breeders will also be willing to take the dog back if you are unhappy, or unable to care for it. If convenient you should be able to get the puppy checked out by your preferred veterinarian just to make sure there are no hidden surprises.

Finally

Congratulate yourself for taking the time and effort to find a responsible breeder! Enjoy your new family member and the years of good times ahead you will have with your Siberian Husky. Be sure to join a local club and also get into training and grooming habits early, because Huskies grow up very quickly!

Are you thinking of buying vitamins for your Siberian Husky? Wondering what the best vitamins or best food are for dogs? Here is our advice on what to feed your puppy to give it a balanced diet, and avoid unnecessary and expensive supplements. Think of it as cheap pet insurance. If you want real insurance for your husky and you wonder if it’s worth your money spend, we were giving some tips and advice before purchasing pet insurance for a husky puppy right here – Is Pet Insurance Worth It For A Puppy

A balanced diet starts with normal food

You probably already know this expression from childhood: you are what you eat. If you eat healthy food, you will feel good and healthy. The same applies to your pets. If you feed them good quality pet food they will feel better and have fewer medical complaints.  Spending a little more on better quality food for your Husky could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in vet bills over the lifetime of the dog. This is especially true for Siberian Husky puppies who need the best food you can afford, to give the dog the best chance at growing into a healthy adult.

What makes good dog food? If you see the words “Complete and Balanced” on the label then that is a good start. The FDA imposes strict rules over the “Complete and Balanced” phrase. Only quality pet food can quote that wording on its packaging. Furthermore, look closely at what is going into the food. Is it real meat with a high protein percentage? Is there other nutritional information such as the presence of vitamins, Omega3 fish oil, or other additives that would benefit the dog? Then that is also a good sign.

Generally speaking the more expensive the pet food the better quality it will be, as quality pet food costs more to produce. It has more meat and less filler. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes expensive pet food isn’t any better than the cheap ones. You might want to ask around your local dog clubs, breeders, vets, and even your neighbors to see what they recommend and where to buy it from.

Do dogs need vitamin supplements?

No! Well…. maybe.

Tens of millions of dollars are spent each year on pet supplements in the US alone. There are a number of vitamin companies marketing vitamin products; NuVet, ProSense, Nutrivet, and many others. Their job is to convince you that your beloved pet needs their product to be happy.

They also have affiliate programs and advertise on many Siberian Husky websites to make it look like they are recommended for Huskies. The reality is for the vast majority of Huskies do not need vitamin supplements. If you are feeding your dog quality pet food, with some variety or rotation in the meals, then you are doing great!

There will, of course, be exceptions. If you feel that your Husky is experiencing problems such as difficulty moving, appetite problems, or is easily exhausted, then a trip to your vet is warranted. The problem might be diet-related, or it could be something else entirely. Your vet is going to give you knowledgeable advice and help pinpoint the issue.

The problem with guessing and trying out supplements is that the imbalance that your pet might have could be made worse by choosing the wrong supplement. Just like in humans there are some vitamins that are good in small doses, but in larger doses can actually make you feel worse! Feeding your dog the wrong supplement could be doing more harm than good. So take care.

Also, don’t forget there are some foods that disagree with dogs and you want to ensure they are eliminated from your pet’s diet immediately.

What are the Best Vitamins for Huskies?

So having convinced you not to supplement your dog’s diet, there are a couple of things that are generally considered safe to feed to your pet. You could at least try and see if they make a difference.

Glucosamine is a supplement well known to help humans with joint pain such as arthritis, and many Siberian Husky owners swear by its effectiveness on animals. You might already know that Siberian Huskies are predisposed to health complaints such as hip dysplasia, and glucosamine can aid in the discomfort your dog might exhibit.

You can buy glucosamine supplements on Amazon, I use this one – Liquid Health K-9 Glucosamine Hip and Joint Formula. I like this supplement mostly because it comes in liquid form, so my husky has no problem slurping up. I simply add the correct dosage to my dog’s favorite food or water every day.

Omega3 (fish oil) can help with coat and skin complaints, as well as joint pain. Omega3 is sometimes added to pet food so check out the packaging and you might be able to avoid extra supplements altogether. If your Husky has dry or flakey skin, or you just want to improve the health of his or her coat, then fish oil could be beneficial. I normally buy this one – Welactin Omega-3 Skin and Coat Support on Amazon, and my Huskies love it.

There is one particular situation in which a multivitamin for dogs might be of benefit. If you are cooking the dog meals yourself and not using prepared dog food from the supermarket or pet store, then there is a chance that some required vitamins and minerals are missing.

This would particularly be true if you tend to use the same meat and not introduce variety such as vegetables or added vitamins. In this particular circumstance then a multivitamin could help “fill in the gaps” with the nutritional profile. Then again, if you are cooking meals for your dog the chances are you are doing so because you know what is going into the food and, with purpose, introducing variety not present in commercial foods that you can obtain or afford.

Where can I get more information?

Your vet should be your primary source of advice for health issues with your pets. They have the up-to-date knowledge and experience needed to diagnose problems accurately. Since you should be taking your Husky to the vet regularly for a checkup, these appointments are the perfect opportunity to ask the question of whether vitamin supplements are suitable. If the answer is yes, you should narrow down precisely which vitamins the dog requires, and in what quantity.

Conclusion

Get your vet to help suggest what vitamins might be of benefit

We recommend you do not feed your Husky multivitamins or vitamin supplements without consulting your vet first. At best you might get lucky and your dog benefits from them.

If you are feeding your Siberian Husky quality pet food then there is little more than a supplement can do.  At worst you could be causing an imbalance in your dog’s dietary intake and might cause some harm, even if only mildly.

So if you think you have a problem, take notice of what’s on the label of your pet food, and perhaps try a different brand or nutritional make-up and see if things improve. A simple tweak to the diet might be all that is needed to improve your Husky’s health!

Have a Siberian Husky puppy and looking for games to keep it entertained and occupied? Here are 5 playtime ideas you can try…

1. Fetch and Drop-It

Everyone knows to fetch, and the chances are your Husky puppy will pick it up very quickly. Find a small, durable, rubber toy that can fit in your puppy’s mouth, but is not so small that he or she might be tempted to eat it. Balls are great because they bounce along the ground and help train your puppy to predict moving objects.

Just as important as retrieving the toy is dropping it on command. Use a simple command such as ‘drop’ and be sure to use feedback and treats to encourage this behavior. The drop command might come in handy later if your puppy likes to steal other things around the house, such as your shoes and socks!

We found KONG Squeaker Tennis Balls to be a great toy for playing fetch and drop with your husky. We tested different sizes and the medium one seems to fit perfectly since your husky still would be able to chew it, which is what they like to do as well. 

2. Freeze

If your puppy likes to get excited and boisterous (and Huskies are likely to) then try this game of bringing things to a halt. When the excitement is high and your puppy is bouncing around, call ‘freeze!’ and stop.

Totally freeze up: in movement and facial expression. Sure your puppy won’t understand this at first, but when your puppy does quieten down, give some positive feedback and a treat to acknowledge he or she is doing the right thing.

Like ‘drop’, the ‘freeze’ command will be handy later on when your puppy gets out and about. Being able to bring an over-excited Husky to calmness in public areas, or when guests are present, is an essential skill.

3. Find the Toy

If your puppy has a few toys there is a good chance it prefers to play with one in particular. So give this toy a nickname to identify it – the name doesn’t matter so just pick a characteristic that is easy to remember. For example, if the toy is a rubber chicken, you might call it ‘chookie’.

Now, use this name whenever your puppy picks up that toy. Over time your puppy will learn the association with your nickname and that toy, which you can use during fetch. Furthermore, you can hide this toy around the house or yard and ask your puppy to ‘find chookie’. Once this toy is “learned” move on to other toys or objects. Dogs have a remarkable ability to learn words and Siberian Huskies are no exception.

4. Treat Toys

A chew toy such as a Kong or Nylabone is going to keep your puppy engaged for long periods of time, and the toy itself should last months or years of heavy chewing abuse. Our favorite is a Kong toy (you can check the price on Amazon here)

Typically, stuff a Kong toy with dry dog food in with peanut butter and leave it to your Husky to get the treat out. For an added challenge, we freeze it for 4-6 hours before giving our huskies to play.

We like to stuff it with any treats, peanut butter, cheese whiz, a mixture of kibble and yogurt works for us as best, or literally with nothing at all – it doesn’t matter, your husky will go crazy for this toy, particularly if they’re a chewer or chaser!   

This is a great toy to leave a dog that is left alone in the yard. A Husky’s temperament is inquisitive and, if left to become bored, may become destructive.

So a toy such as this is a good distraction if you are out or unable to keep an eye on the dog. It also can prevent so many behavioral issues, like destructive chewing or excessive vocalization from boredom or anxiety. 

5. Soccer

Find a ball that is too large to fit in your Husky’s mouth, and reasonably soft or bouncy, and simply play soccer with him or her. At first, your puppy might try to grab the toy in its jaws – but after he figures this can’t be done he will start pushing it around. A good alternative to fetch if you don’t want puppy slobber all over your hands!

Whatever game you play just be aware that a puppy can tire out quickly, so limit physical exercise to 10 minutes at a time before rest. As your Siberian Husky puppy grows, you can extend this playtime, plus of course mix it up with walking or jogging your dog for exercise.

The Siberian Husky is a great family dog – not too large, active, and will put up with some rough play from children. A Husky’s natural behavior is to play, run, and be part of the “pack” – which will be your family.

The stories about the Eskimos who bred the Husky are the best evidence of how this breed relates to children. The birth of a child for these northern people is a big event, but a baby’s life is associated with various difficulties due to severe northern conditions.

Eskimos use their beloved dogs as nannies and a source of heat. They get the entire flock into their home and put the child between the dogs. And so the little Eskimo grows up surrounded by warm and friendly husky dogs.

Of course, for modern people living in warm and comfortable apartments, such excessive trust in dogs may seem strange, but this story clearly proves that children and huskies get along well with each other. 

How to introduce a husky to a newborn baby?

If introducing a new baby to a home that already has a Husky, you want to be aware of potential jealousy issues. The Husky might have already been the “baby” of the house and could soon find itself having substantially less attention paid to him or her.

Weeks before the baby arrives you probably want to think about moving the Husky outdoors and away from constant attention. This will help the Husky get used to being alone a bit more, plus free up the house for all the “baby stuff” that is going to happen soon, including new furniture, playtime, visitors, sights, and smells. Gradually you can introduce the Husky to the new family member and make acquaintances.

Things to consider before introducing a Husky (whether puppy or adult) into your home, or before you bring a baby into a home that already has a Husky:

1. Supervision

You no doubt already know that children need to be supervised around dogs. This means watching them at all times, not just a glance every other minute.

In most cases, children up to 10-13 years old can not independently coordinate their actions in relation to the husky. Their behavior is often the opposite of what the dog considers polite.

Children are mobile, emotional and do not always understand what a pet may not like. Frankly speaking, the younger the child the more attention you need to pay. Kids and puppies are not aware of their size and strength and can hurt each other.

Young kids might think pulling the tail of the dog is funny, but the dog might not think so! You are going to need to keep a close eye on both and be prepared to jump in and separate them should play get too rough or either start to become agitated.

2. Responsibility

Even if your kids are aged a little older, say, early teens, the family pet is still ultimately the parent’s responsibility. After all, they are the ones buying the food, paying the vet bills, and often cleaning up afterward! A family pet can help teach responsibility to kids, but it isn’t a substitute for good parenting.

3. Allergies

If your kids have problems with allergies (or even if they don’t) you might want to see how they go around other dogs, or even go and get an allergy test. Huskies can shed a lot of hair which could trigger sneezing or other hay fever-like reactions. While no dog is truly hypo-allergenic (free from an allergic reaction), there are plenty of other dog breeds that are better suited if members of your family are sensitive to animals.

4. Exercise

Huskies need a fair bit of exercise to help them from becoming bored and destructive. Ask yourself if you are going to have time? Especially if you have young kids that need a lot of attention, is your Husky going to get the exercise he or she needs?

Are Siberian Huskies Aggressive Dogs?

The purebred Siberian Husky completely lacks aggression at the genetic level and it should not be any serious problems if you have a small child in your family. Huskies is a very smart dog with high intelligence and understands perfectly what is possible and what cannot be done in relation to a child.

Nevertheless, due to their size, you need to make a small adjustment to the behavior of the husky, so that its excessive playfulness does not hurt the child.

Unfortunately, the problem of aggression in dogs remains relevant and in most cases. we are the ones to blame for such behavior. Rude treatment, improper socialization, ignoring basic needs as well as lack of training, poor nutrition, social stress, including stress caused by poorly established rules of behavior for the dog can increase the degree of irritability and reduces their tolerance for attitude towards children. Let’s look at few examples below.

Things Your Child Should Never Do to a Siberian Husky

1. Come too close to the husky bowl with food or take it away from the dog, while the dog is eating. Explain to your child that you can not approach the animal’s bowl when the husky is eating, as it might irritate the animal.
2. Make sure that the child does not approach the husky frontally. Instead, ask them to turn their body slightly to the side. Your child should avoid bending over the dog’s face, not to touch roughly his head, legs, or back and not to shout in the dog’s face. Most dogs are comfortable being petted on the chest, the shoulders, and the base of the neck. When petting these areas, teach your children to reach in from the side, rather than moving the hand over the top of the dog’s head.
3. Steal toys from the dog. Parents should make sure that the child and the husky do not use the same toys. To build tolerance when your child accidentally takes a husky’s toy, dogs can be trained to give up their toys for a reward or special treatment.

It might seem that with so many rules, it is very difficult to establish a good husky-child relationship. But it is not so.

Firstly, the dog perceives the child as a member of her family, as an integral part of it. Secondly, a husky who is well integrated into the family, seeks peaceful relations with the child, just as with other family members and relatives. To do this, husky tries to avoid conflicts, either trying to physically get out of unpleasant situations or to show some negative attitude to what is happening by means of reconciliation.

Any dog uses a number of signals to express its attitude to the world, and Siberian Husky is not an exception.

How to Tell if Your Husky is Uncomfortable?

• yawning
• licking nose
• turn away, sit down or lie down with its back turned to the child
• slowing down the movements or may completely freeze in place

If the child does not respond to these signals, the husky can begin to growl quietly. If the child ignores this signal, the dog growls more loudly, then its behavior becomes more aggressive and could even lead to a bite.

That is why parents must constantly monitor the way of how the child plays with a husky, and teach how to read the signals from the dog to know when to stop and leave your Husky alone for a while.

Tips to help establish contact between the child and the husky

1. Socialize your husky at the early stage. Make sure you get your husky puppy out on the street. It will help him to adjust and expose to a wide range of noises and behaviors. Allow him to interact with people and other dogs, so he would gain confidence at the earliest stage of his life and it would become normal for him.
2. Allow your children to treat husky with treats. Let the child also take part in the care, training, education of a husky puppy. The feeding process strengthens friendships and is even included in the canister therapy program. As a result of feeding, the dog and the child will begin to trust each other more.
3. Teach your dog a basic commands (“Stop”,”Sit”, “Come”), endurance. Regulate the state of rest and activity, do not subject the dog to stresses, emotional experiences in order to avoid the mental disorders of the pet. It is best to take a training course with a dog handler. I found Doggy Dan’s online training techniques and philosophy are the best fit for our Siberian Huskies. You can sign up for a 1$ trial for 3 days and see if you like it.
4. Exercise your husky on a regular basis. They are very energetic dogs and lack of exercise could lead to naughty behavior and frustration (jumping, chewing), which might be a problem if you have a small child in the house.
5. Never let your child play rough with the husky. Even though husky are super friendly, do not allow your child to poke, pinch, pull on their hair, or play aggressive games with them. Children are very mobile, create a lot of noise, run, play, their mood can suddenly change. Until they have developed social communication skills, they can accidentally cause husky pain or upset them for some reason. Always be present when those two interact and make sure they enjoy each other, without making anyone uncomfortable.

On the other hand, perhaps you already have a young family and want to introduce a dog? The same principles apply. Take things slowly, supervise constantly, and embrace the new family structure.

With a bit of forethought, you can introduce children to your Husky, or introduce your Husky to the family, in a way that lets everyone know they are part of the family and loved. And want to know how good it can get? Check out this video on how patient, playful, and tolerating a Husky can be around kids:

Siberian Huskies are surprisingly good at taking care of themselves, licking themselves clean much like cats. However they do need particular attention paid to the coat when they molt, plus a regular grooming session once a week can help keep your Husky puppy looking fabulous. And who doesn’t want a fabulous-looking Husky?

Grooming For Young Husky Puppies

It is really important to start grooming Siberian Huskies early in the puppy stage. Their coats develop within weeks of birth. Also in the first 12 weeks of their life, they are most accommodating in learning new behaviors and routines that will last a lifetime. However if you have adopted a dog that has grown out of its younger puppy stage, it is never too late to start!

How often should you groom your Husky?

Once a week, for the life of the dog, you should do some basic grooming. It is important to stand the dog up to get it used to be groomed in this fashion. A standing dog makes it much easier for you to get through your grooming tasks efficiently and effectively.

A weekly brush of the coat will help keep it neat and tidy and dislodge any loose hairs or dirt that might be stuck in there. Brushing also helps avoid matting. Matting is likely to occur if you don’t brush your dog, and he or she likes getting wet in the rain, snow, and ice. You can find more tips about brushing, as well as our favorite tools we use right here – “The Best brush for Huskies“

Molting

The molting (hair shedding) process usually happens once a year as the weather starts to warm up in spring and summer. Some dogs might shed twice a year, and some none at all, depending on the environment. A young Husky puppy is unlikely to fully shed in its first summer but might drop a few hairs around. When your puppy reaches 10-14 months old a major shedding will occur as the “baby” coat makes way for a thicker adult coat.

The molting process will typically start with a few sprinkles of fur dropping loose before the real action begins. A Siberian Husky will shed a lot of hair. A LOT. The bigger the Husky is, the more hair it will shed. If you have ever seen how much wool a sheared sheep gives, you are on the right track.

You will need out your Husky with some brushing. You can start with a larger, wide-toothed comb and brush out as much loose hair all over the body. Look for a comb or rake with rounded teeth (like this one  –PawsPamper Extra Wide Undercoat Rake) to avoid scratching the dog’s skin. You can use a fine-toothed comb for the head and neck areas where the fur is thinner.

Here is a video that shows just how much effort is needed to keep your Siberian Husky looking good, and how much hair can be shed in just one grooming session:

Washing

Most owners will only give their dog a bath once a year, after shedding. You could get your dog professionally washed, or you could take your dog down to a local hydro-bath to do it yourself.

If you have the space you can do it at home – just make sure you use a shampoo formulated for pets and follow the directions on the bottle. After washing you may towel-dry your Husky and, if you feel it is necessary, a light blow dry with a hairdryer at its weakest heat setting.

After the dog tries this is a great time to apply any flea, tick, and other parasite controls that dogs in your area require.

Other Grooming Activities: Eyes, Ears, and Nails

For the eyes simply grab a damp cloth to wipe the area clean of excretions, dirt, etc.

For the ears check once a month for signs of infection, mites, or other parasites. Any redness, discharge, or unusual odor will require a visit to the vet to check it out. There are also ear-cleaning lotions available that you can apply yourself if you want your Husky to look its best.

Nail clipping needs only be done from time to time. Once a month have a look and see if the nails need a trim. It really depends on the environment your dog is into whether nails are under control or not. Like all grooming, the earlier you start the better. You can start clipping the nails of a puppy at just 4 weeks old to help it get used to the sensation of the clippers.

Things To Avoid 

•   Over-washing your Siberian Husky is a no-no. Oils secreted by the skin help protect the dog. Bathing will wash those oils away. A bath just once or twice a year is fine, or of course if your dog finds its way into something really messy and needs a helping hand.
• Shaving the coat of your Husky is also to be avoided. The outer coat helps repel water, whilst the inner softer coat insulates the dog from both the heat and the cold. Let the coat do its job and you will have a happy Husky.

Finally, like all pets, clipping whiskers is not necessary. The dog doesn’t like it.

Your lovely young cute Siberian Husky puppy is going to molt. You can not avoid it, so get used to it! Importantly, start with some basic grooming as early as possible so that your puppy gets used to being handled. You might have to brush and vacuum up the hair left behind, but think of it this way: at the end of the molting process you are going to have a dog with a lovely coat to protect him or her for months!

Are you are looking for a totally unique gift that will surprise your family, bring everyone together, and make this the best Christmas ever? A Siberian Husky puppy will sure do that! But before you rush out to the pet store let’s look over all the things you need to know, how to approach the purchase, and how you might do things a better way to make life easier for you, your family, and of course your future four-legged friend.

Why a Husky Puppy for Christmas can be a good thing

Before we dwell on the negatives, let’s consider the positives of bringing an animal in to your life around the holiday season.

First, a pet can greatly enrich you and your family’s life. Whether you are living alone, with a partner, perhaps have kids as well, a dog can give you all unconditional love for many years ahead. If you have had a particularly difficult year the introduction of a new family member might be the change you need to focus on the positives of life and enjoy the simple pleasures of companionship.

The exercise requirements of a dog (and especially Huskies) might be the kick-start you need to implement a better health regime. A pet for Christmas can reward your children for maturing and showing compassion, empathy, and responsibility throughout the year.

These are all great reasons to justify a puppy for Christmas. Before we start looking let’s just be sure you know what you are getting in to…

Why a Husky for Christmas might be a bad idea

There are many articles on the internet, particularly from animal welfare organizations, that will tell you that giving a pet for Christmas, or as a gift at any time of the year, is a bad idea. They are right: over 20% of abandoned or relinquished animals into shelters were given as gifts. Dogs need a lot of attention: feeding, training, exercise, and play. They are not a toy that can be put back in the cupboard for later. Every day they need to be tended to and this continues for many years to come. In the weeks and months after Christmas, many dogs are given up because the impulse purchase and excitement in December have worn off in January.

Siberian Huskies are particularly challenging, especially for those new to the breed. They need more exercise than most other dogs. Their temperament means they can get bored easily. Like most dogs, they grow large fast, and that puppy will quickly become an adult-sized dog. We suggest you check out our articles on the Siberian Husky breed, grooming, training, and health issues to make sure you know what you are getting in to. Even simple family activities such as a vacation or weekend away will require you to either transport your animal or look for carers while you are away.

Introducing a puppy to the family during the holiday season is particularly challenging. You might not be at home at regular times, and at others, you might have many visitors around interrupting family routines. You could be stressed and tired as well. Puppies need a stable environment and constant attention. They might need a dozen small feeds each day, and another dozen toilet training drills. Do you have that much free time and patience at this time of year?

Finally, let’s debunk the myth that introducing a pet to your children will help them become more responsible. The fact is that a pet should be a reward for showing responsibility during the year. Rarely the introduction of an animal changes the behavior of a child to become more responsible. If your kids are not able to clean up their toys, or their mess at the dinner table, will they suddenly start cleaning up after your dog? Probably not.

We aren’t suggesting here that a Siberian Husky is a bad idea. What we are asking is that you carefully consider the timing of a puppy purchase and maybe consider an alternative approach.

A better approach to giving the family a puppy for Christmas

Want to make the introduction of a puppy easier for you and your family? Here are our tips for making life easier, and who wouldn’t want that at Christmas time?

Timing

Trying to make a puppy a surprise on Christmas morning is going to be difficult. From the moment you pick up the puppy you are going to have to:

• get it home,
• feed it,
• start training,
• exercise it,
• potty train it,
• clean up after it,
• get it checked out by your vet,
• get it registered with the local authorities,
• …and the responsibilities continue.

Do you really need that overhead just before Christmas?

Furthermore, if you really want a Siberian Husky puppy there might not be any available, at least from responsible breeders. Mommy Huskies are not machines that pop out babies on demand! Responsible breeders will only breed every second year, or much less. Responsible breeders also breed when the mother and father are ready, and not to meet seasonal demand.

Conversely, bad breeders, also known as backyard breeders or puppy farms, will purposefully time the birth of puppies to coincide with the lead up to Christmas. They capitalize on the emotion of the season, breeding to maximize monetary returns and not the love of the animal. If you start seeing puppies in pet shops, or ads in the paper for popular breeds such as Siberian Huskies, there is a good chance there is an unscrupulous breeder behind the scheme. Do you really want to encourage this kind of behavior?

Instead, you should consider acquiring a Siberian Husky at another time of the year. At least a few weeks after Christmas when the joy of gift unwrapping has worn off, family routines are back to normal, and you can discuss how you will introduce a puppy into your family. Start talking to breeders. Use our Breeder Directory to help find one in your area. Talk to them, visit them, find out when they will next breed and release puppies. We have some specific guidance in approaching a breeder.

A teaser present

If you are not going to unwrap a puppy on Christmas day, provide a teaser or proxy in its place. A Kong Toy, a Huskies for Dummies Book, a natural dog food, and a leash for puppies, or a dog crate all these recommended items make for intrigue and interest on Christmas morning! If the excitement in the family lasts into the New Year that’s a good sign that the puppy wasn’t just a passing fancy.

Adopt, don’t shop

Millions of pets are abandoned each year in the USA alone. Try contacting your local animal shelter in the weeks after Christmas and let them know what you are looking for. The popularity of Siberian Huskies (and the demands they place on unsuspecting owners) means they turn up in pounds especially after the holiday season. Local Husky rescue organizations are always looking for new homes. Our rescue organization directory is growing to help you find a Husky in need near you!

Old dogs are not bad dogs

Yeah we know – a Siberian Husky puppy is just sooooo cute! But will you consider an adult dog instead? First, they are likely to be trained to some extent and socialized. Potty training a Husky puppy can take weeks and require attention many times a day. Are you up for the challenge? Plus an older dog might be more moderate in behavior, better socialized, and less anxious. This can make training easier especially if you have not got experience in training Huskies.

You might also not be sure about making such a long commitment to raising a puppy and owning it for many years. Perhaps you want to try out a Husky for a shorter period of time to see how you go? An adult dog is a great way to introduce yourself to the breed.

So you still want a dog for Christmas day. How do you make it happen?

Start Early

Start looking NOW! As in from October onwards. Use our breeder directory to find someone local to you who you can talk to and visit. At this time a breeder will know if a female Husky is going to give birth leading up to Christmas and you can start expressing an interest in puppies. If you leave it late you might be forced to buy from a pet shop or puppy farm, which we strongly recommend you avoid! If you find yourself in mid-December and have not got a puppy organized you have left it too late, unless….

… adopt or rescue

Pounds, animal shelters, and specialist Husky Rescue organizations are always looking for loving homes. Christmas is a great time to help out animals that would otherwise be left alone while the rest of us are home with family. Local rescue shelters might also let you take a dog home on a temporary basis to see how things work out. Many shelters actually require this before adoption.

Whilst the idea of handing back a ‘Christmas Present’ dog might seem an awful tease, it’s in the animal’s best interest. Plus it is a good test to see if your family can rally together to look after a potential new family member. If things work out well you can ask to adopt the animal outright.

Even if the intention all along was to simply foster a dog for a few weeks over the holidays, and hand back later, this gives your family a taste of what to come. You will also learn about the Husky breed and be in a better position to consider what you are looking for in a puppy. You can see how well your regular routines change, especially with respect to exercise.

Work out logistics

Are you going to surprise the family with a dog on Christmas day? It’s going to be hard to keep a puppy under wraps for the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. Do you have someone else who can help you out? This can be a double-edged sword: you might surprise the family, but that bonding between puppy and owner is going to be weaker if somebody else does it for you. Huskies are looking for a pack leader: how are you going to provide that model if you aren’t there to train and command him or her?

And don’t even think about hiding the puppy in the garage or back shed! Even small puppies need attention and exercise. Confining a puppy in a closed indoor environment is not a healthy way to start the puppy’s new life with your family. Suspicions also will arouse when your puppy is out back howling out of loneliness!

Food

Be sure to have appropriate food for the holidays. Human food from the table is definitely out, as are many other foodstuffs that are toxic to Siberian Huskies. With the rush of the holidays, you want to be organized in advance. Your breeder will recommend a menu to follow. Make sure you have enough food to get you through the days when shops (or online deliveries) are closed around Christmas and New Year. If you are curious about what would be the best food for your future Siberian Husky, you can find some information here – The Best dog food for Huskies

Bed, crate, and toys

Your Husky puppy will need a bed of course, in a not-so-cold environment. A crate for training is a good investment. Some toys for mental stimulation will be needed, plus you can wrap more up under the Christmas tree. You will need a leash so you can take your Husky outdoors and walk him/her.

These initial investments need not be expensive and you might find bargains at your local thrift store or simply buy it at Amazon.

Training

Puppies need training from birth to help them socialize and behave better. We recommend starting with Doggy Dan Training course which is very comprehensive, affordable, and most importantly it gets results.

And a few more things…

Registration or licensing with your local council, a vet check-up, and immunizations are all essential for young Husky puppies and should not be forgotten about.

Conclusion

If you are new to Huskies we recommend delaying the purchase or adoption of a puppy until after the Christmas season. However, don’t let that stop you from buying a present or two to put under the tree as a sign that you are committed to the idea.

If you really must have a Husky around Christmas you need to get organized early. Puppies are allocated from breeders around their birth so you don’t want to miss out. Try and avoid pet stores or opportunistic breeders who might be looking for a quick buck, and not operating in the animal’s best interest.

Also, consider fostering an animal in December to see how your family goes with it. Think of it as a trial run and should it work out, you can consider adopting the foster pet, or at least know more about the breed before you commit to raising a puppy.

Like all dogs, looking after a Siberian Husky is a rich and wonderful experience. Long after the toys are unwrapped, played with, and forgotten about, a dog will continue to be a part of your life. Take your time in working out what you want, and how to make it happen. It will make a big difference in the months and years ahead.

Marry Christmas!

Want to buy a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder and not sure where to find one? Here’s how…

Ways to find a good husky breeder near you

If you are new to the breed you will want to look for breeders close to home. You will be able to visit a few of them and pick one that you feel comfortable with. Being able to physically visit means you can quickly identify any potential puppy mills or backyard breeders. Being local means you are not pressured to make a decision on the first visit and can come back again after you have time to think about what you saw, or to visit other breeders.

1. Use breeder directories

Directories of Husky breeders are a great place to start. We have our own breeder directory or you can use the Siberian Husky Club of America’s directory here, or the American Kennel Club breeder search here. Please note that just because a breeder appears on a reputable web site, or is registered, it does not give you a guarantee that they aren’t a puppy farm. You should always do your homework – and we have some specific advice on choosing a Siberian Husky breeder.

2. Use search engines

Head over to your favorite search engine (Google, Bing, Ask, Yahoo, whatever you prefer) and use the term: husky breeders in <your state>, or husky puppies in <your state>. You can put in your state name or your 2-letter state code. Examples:

• husky breeders in California
• husky puppies in CA

You might be able to find some breeders this way, but like referral directories, a good breeder web site does not guarantee anything. You need to make contact and talk to the staff. Many breeders do not have web sites, simply because they don’t breed as a business, they do it for love. So to find these people you need to ask around…

3. Talk to local dog clubs

You can make contact with your local dog clubs, or just turn up when they meet and ask around. If there is a Siberian Husky dog club in your area that is a great place to start. Alternatively, you could expand the search a little and look for alternative but similar breeds such as Alaskan Husky or Alaskan Malamute.

If you are in a smaller town and do not have specialist dog clubs, try the general dog club and ask if they know anyone who breeds Huskies. Good dog breeders don’t work in isolation: rather they actively participate in the local community to share knowledge and news.

4. Talk to other dog owners

Your best bet is to find dog obedience or training school and have a look at who turns up. If anyone has a Husky then you can approach and find out where they got their puppy from. This is also a great way of checking out the reputation of local breeders and steering clear of any bad ones.

If walking down the street and you pass a Husky you can also ask the owner for advice. Most dog owners are more than happy to stop and talk about their dogs and share advice!

5. Ask local vets

Breeders have to get their puppies checked out by experts, and generally, have a preferred veterinarian to assist. Vets in the area might know of some breeders and can pass on contact details.

5. Check at rescue shelters

Shelters and rescue organizations sometimes need to place dogs in the temporary care and are likely to be aware of local breeders who have the facility and expertise to look after a stranded dog.

6. Ask other dog breeders

Good breeders will be happy to talk about other breeders in the area. If you know of at least one Husky breeder near you, chances are if there are more than that breeder knows who they are.

7. Do NOT ask pet shops

Whilst some pet shops are brilliant, many are not and are just front to puppy farms. Unless you have a pet shop that is very reputable and doesn’t keep puppies in small glass cages, you might want to steer clear of getting advice from one.

Conclusions

Looking to buy a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder and not sure where to find one? Try using web directories and search engines to find breeders near you. If that fails try talking to people in your community such as dog clubs, vets, other Husky owners, and breeders, for a referral to breeders that they know of. It might take a while but the more effort you put in now, the better chance you have at finding a breeder that has a puppy perfect for you!