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Can Siberian Husky Live Comfotably In A Flat?
Posted on Nov 13th, 2009 in Questions & Answers | 9 comments
Hi, we are planning to get a siberian husky for ourselves, we’ve read some information about the dog and are quite happy thusfar. I am planning to go jogging once a day 3-4 times a week. However during the week we work and we would have to leave the dog alone in our flat, how will the dog handle that? Can he/she be alone for long periods of time? Resources would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
A dog can be alone that long, a puppy can’t.
I would never do that to myself. Huskies are VERY active, three jogs a week isn’t going to do it. Heck, three jogs a day may not be enough for some of them. In addition, they are very vocal dogs, which is not good when you’ll have neighbors so close.
every dog is an individual, but the breed on a whole would NOT do good in that type of environment with that little exercise. If you could provide more then it is possible to have a happy husky in such small living quarters. Husky’s love the outdoors.
Hate to rain on your parade, but the breed, a flat, and your very limited amount of exercise will all make for a very bad match. I suggest you do some more investigation on other possible breeds that will not need much exercise and will be comfortable being left alone while you are at work, but no dog should be alone for long periods of time.
You might want to do some more research. Sibs are an extremely active breed – a breed that easily runs for 8 hours a day – EVERY day. Jogging 3 – 4 times a week just plain isn’t good enough. This breed needs to run every day and they need a fenced yard to run off their energy. This dog could never handle living in the situation you describe. They’ll go nuts and become destructive because of it. Get yourself a good book on them – talk to breeders, any good breeder will let you know.
Oh a question, I’m perfect for.
I have two Alaskan Mal’s and I live in an apartment. If you value the things you have in your flat, you will not leave your pup out of hte crate when you are not home until you are ABSOLUTELY certain that they can be trusted. Husky’s and Mal’s are notorious for rippping things to shreads when left alone if they aren’t properly trained first. That being said, at one year old.. Both of my pups live out of the crate for the most part.
Exercise is absoultely the most important thing to remember. You have made the right choice of dog, as they are gorgeous animals that can be your best friend. They do need good exercise though, a good jog is always good for em. Something jsut as simple as playing fetch in the common ground near your flat will be great for them.
They can be alone for at least 8-10 hours. As that’s how long mine wonder my apartment on most days.
Sibs have lots (and lots and lots) of energy and left unattended even for a second can get bored and destructive. We take ours to the dog park and doggie daycare as often as we can, take him for walks and work his mind, but still if we turn our back on him for even 1 second he’s into something. We NEVER leave him loose when we won’t be able to keep an eye on him. If I need to go anywhere he either goes with me or is in his crate. When we go to work we crate him. He doesn’t mind his crate at all, even after 8 hours. So, that’s what I would suggest. Instead of leaving him alone to roam around the house when you’re out, buy an airline type crate (you can get them from most pet stores like petsmart).
Also, not knowing where you live, sibs do not like the heat. So taking him for a jog on a hot day is not a good idea. Make sure to stop and get him in the shade and allow him to rest. Mine doesn’t like to be out in the sun at all unless there is water for him to cool off in, otherwise he doesn’t leave the shade.
Does the flat have a yard? I am upset that every answer for every husky question talks about how bad they are. They are a beautiful and wonderful breed, but you have to agree to make the commentment before buying one!! Ie…your husky may be OK with the lifestyle…..but without a fence you will have to walk him on a leash EVERY time he has to go to the bathroom or outside…they will run away….if he is not OK with the 3-4 jogs/week, trust me, he will let you know, by destroying everything you own. If you are willing to recognize this means he needs more attention or exercise and are willing to provide such, you can be a great husky owner, don’t let them tell you otherwise! But you have to adapt to the dog! That being said, my dogs are in crates sometimes 8+ hours/day (I usually come home for lunch but can’t always) and they are more or less fine – the days I don’t come home for lunch, they are crazy when I get home and need a lot of exercise and attention. Most times I leave my older one out (1.5-2 years), and she is almost always fine. It will depend on your particular dog’s personality what they will do – and start in small doses…leave for 30 minutes, 2 hours….etc until they are ready. And with this breed, I am completley convinced you will evenutally need 2 to make a pack, so be prepared for that (your sibe will let you know)
So basically, yes they can be alone for periods but be prepared to make up for it….they are very much like kids…..
Please – I beg of you – DON’T!
If you want a perfect running partner and an apartment dog, get a retired racing Greyhound. They are BIG dogs, but gentle, quiet, and have been crated for 23 hours of the day, so will think your apartment is huge…
They are the most grateful, sweetest, gentlest dogs, and won;t get you booted from your apartment.
A Husky needs to be outdoors, and they do NOT adapt to apartment living – it’s wrong to even ask one to try.
You will need a professional petsitter to handle your dog, and you won’t get one when they find out you’ve acquired a dog that has been bred to PULL…Greyhounds walk beautifully on a leash, light as a feather, and get along with most other dogs except those that resemble Jack the Rabbit.
Please don’t get into this situation – breed rescue will only be forced to clean up after it, or your dog will be euthanized at the pound – it happens every day. There is a much better solution.