On 25 Jul 2003 06:19:49 -0400, (Melinda Shore) wrote:

In article ,
sighthounds etc. wrote:
Aside from the Pied Piper problem that occurs sometimes when I try to
walk through the house, it's fairly easy to live with multiple
Greyhounds and Borzoi.

It's kind of funny to turn around when I'm walking up the
stairs and see all the dogs coming up the stairs after me,
and walking through the dining room in hot weather (four
flat dogs) is sometimes a balance-on-one-foot exercise while
I try to pick a path.

We're on one floor, except for the basement where the kitty boxes are
(and which is therefore off limits to dogs). That's a good thing,
because otherwise they'd trip me on the stairs. I've heard it said
that it doesn't matter how big your house is because all the dogs will
be in the same room with you anyway. Our house isn't that big, but
the rooms are big. Still, it's quite a feat to walk through the
bedroom without stepping on anyone, and I can't balance on two feet,
let alone one. My dogs sure know what "sorry, sorry" means!

How old are your other dogs?

Image and Saber are 7, Duncan is 6 (how did that happen?),
and Emmett will be three on Halloween. They're mostly
pretty quiet in the house, although Saber and Emmett usually
have a couple of rasslin' matches each day.

How apropos that Emmett's birthday is on Halloween. See there, now,
they're pretty well spaced. It looks like the right time for you to
get a puppy (sure it looks that way, for me, hee hee).

Mustang Sally

On 25 Jul 2003 10:33:59 -0400, (Melinda Shore) wrote:

In article ,
sighthounds etc. wrote:
Still, it's quite a feat to walk through the
bedroom without stepping on anyone, and I can't balance on two feet,
let alone one. My dogs sure know what "sorry, sorry" means!

Have they become more careful around you, do you think, or
are they just as likely to bang into you as they were before
you got teetery? One of Image's former teammates went to
live with someone who also has balance problems, and I'm
told that when the new owner is feeling particularly
unsteady the dog parks himself next to her so that she can
put her hand on his head. It sounds great but not very
Siberian-like.

No, it doesn't sound very Sibe-like. I've heard stories about
Greyhounds doing things like that too, and it doesn't sound very
Greyhound-like either. Even my therapy dog doesn't want to be an
assistance dog - - he was completely freaked when DH brought him to
see me in the hospital - - I was supposed to be on the end of his
leash, not in the bed. I remember a discussion on Sibernet-L of Sibes
as seeing-eye dogs; I thought that could really be dangerous.
Actually my dogs don't bang into me much, and now that you mention it,
I wonder if they did bang into me more before? It's one of those
things that you don't notice unless they leave a huge bruise, and I
never remember where I get bruises anyway. I guess it's possible that
they are more careful about knocking into me, but unfortunately, they
don't get out of the way when they see me lurching towards them or
looming unsteadily over them. One of my Greyhounds did, at first - -
he skeedaddled whenever I got close, which made me feel badly, but now
that it's clear the problems will be permanent, I kind of wish he'd go
back to that. Not leave the room, necessarily, just clear a path. I
do get pushed over all the time, mostly by the Sibes, when I'm
squatting to pet/groom/whatever them. The rule is that if you knock
me down, you have to help me up, but they rarely follow it. I was
putting socks on today and Anna the Borzoi happened to be standing
nearby, so I used her to steady myself, and she just stood there, and
an idea was born...she's a tall, sturdy dog, and I'll bet she'd like a
job of her very own.

That's certainly been a primary consideration - I don't want
to be in the position of having all my dogs simultaneously
becoming too old to sled, and Emmett is (finally!) more-or-less
mentally mature.

Well, as mature as he'll be until he's old, anyway.

We'll see how things go with the whelping, etc.

Keep us posted!

Mustang Sally

"sighthounds etc." wrote in message
...
On Thu, 24 Jul 2003 13:58:12 GMT, Ruud wrote:
- One of the things I keep reading is: do NOT let the dog off the
leash or he will get away. Now, I'm more or less used to shepherd dogs
(german and belgian) and had thought I would provide my Husk with some
running activity by taking him to the park, have a nice ball-throwing
session. I understand now that I can NOT do this? How do I excercise
the dog then? Are they really that bad at getting away?

Yes, you understand correctly that you just let your Siberian off
leash in the park. There is a world of difference between a German
Shepherd Dog (and other herding dogs) and a Siberian Husky. Sibes are
runners and seem to have an inbred wanderlust. They are also
excellent escape artists and can often climb, dig under or chew
through fences. You need to exercise your husky on leash - - - jog
with him, take up sledding or carting or another similar sport, find a
fenced area when you can let him run. BTW, not too many huskies enjoy
fetch either.

This is true from my experience as well (limited as it may be!).
My brother has a husky mix (looks like a Sibe w/ short legs &
tipped ears), when we are out together, his dog is always the
first one that comes up "missing", she is off investigating everything.
My boys rarely leave my eyesight, and if I don't see them and call,
they are back to me instantly (a Collie-mix and a Belgian Sheepdog).
However...if you're used to a Belgian Shepherd of any breed/variety,
you'll most likely find the Husky to be waaaaay friendlier with
everyone, including strangers.


- Can I compare them in final size to say a male german shepherd
dog?

No, he'll be smaller. Males generally aren't over 60 lb, and about 24
(I think?) inches. There really isn't much to compare between an GSD
and a Siberian. g If I were you, I'd get some good breed books, or
even better, read FAQs and breed descriptions on some of the Siberian
Husky rescue groups' web sites.


I'd say smaller than a male GSD, more like a small-end male Belgian
(50-60#, 23"-25" tall), but more substantial in bone. However...I
would equate the shedding factor of a Husky to equal or even
greater than a GSD or a Belgian. :-)

A Sibe isn't necessarily going to want to do
something just because you asked him to and he loves you. Siberians
are intelligent, independent and easily bored. If you're used to
shepherds, you have some surprises coming, and I'd really suggest you
start reading! G

:-) Yep. Sammi, to me (a person used to herding breeds), is a PITA
to work with. Except that she's got a wonderful sense of humor
that just keeps me laughing & humble (I've been doing mini-obedience
sessions with my brother's 7 yr old daughter, teaching her to train
Sammi basic manners & a few tricks).
Shelly & The Boys