Rescued Husky - before and after - awwwwww

Huskies are definitely escape artists, and a very stubborn, independent breed. I've met one who was ok off leash - and that owner was lucky. They are working class dogs and what were they bred to do? Run and pull sleds. The Iditarod is a 110 mile a day pace. Think about that capability.

They escape to run and run and run, and follow there nose, and explore. Perhaps to be with the owner. And, being one of the closest breeds to a wolf, they have a hunting instinct - so they will chase prey, or elk or deer... They will eat or harass your neighbors chickens or what not.

My first I adopted when she was about 5. When I first had her, I tried leaving her at home while I was at work. She went through my second floor window. She climbed over the 6' chain link dog run I built. She went through the dog run after I put a top on it. She came with me everywhere after that. (It was against the rules at work, but they looked the other way.)

They are also known to dig under fences to escape. I talked to experts - vets and trainers - and they said the only way to contain a Husky is to have cement around the bottom of your enclosure, or have the bottom of the fence deeply buried. If you use chain link, you have to secure every point where the chain links meets the railing. Also, needed is something like inward leaning wiring on the top of the fence. Perhaps underground electric fences or those radio controlled collars might work.

If you go to a shelter, you will see many Huskies or Husky mixes. Probably about one year old. By that time, they are no longer the cute puppy and the owners have probably picked them up from animal control about three times. And the owners have realized their mistake in getting that breed.

I think the ideal situation is to have someone home with them all the time - maybe leave them home alone for about 6 hours max. And get them a lot of exercise. A buddy dog or two is also a good idea because they tend to have a very strong pack instinct.

My first Husky wanted to be wherever I was. Except for letting her out to go to the bathroom, I did not need a yard. My second wanted to be outside until bedtime, unless it was super cold.

Another thing that can happen is that they get out for a run and lose their way home because rain has washed the scent away. And, as I mentioned, they tend to be people friendly. I know someone who had a Husky that got out of their yard (they can also open latches) in Bailey, CO. They picked it up 90 miles away in Colorado Springs - probably hopped in a strangers car.

Many things can happen. I've noticed that friends and neighbors don't do as good of a job watching dogs as the owners do. I know of an Aussie Shepherd that escaped from the owner's friend who was dog sitting while the owners were on vacation. They think the dog was trying to find them. It was run over on the highway about 60 miles from their home. I've seen similar things enough times that I will always find a good kennel for my dogs if I go on vacation.

Exactly. There's a world of difference between a real breeder and a puppy mill.

Blitz came from a REAL breeder. I had to sit in a room and meet all 6 of her kids - one at a time, each trained to greet people differently, while she watched behind a two way mirror. That was a caring breeder. She stopped the interview and was ecstatic to give me one of her kids after her extremely large rottie came in and growled right in my face and instead of freaking out, I asked him what he was talking about.

Bred animals need loving homes, too. I have not one problem with having a purebred from a great breeder. I have also no problem with, and encourage, falling in love with a little guy that is in danger.

What I have a problem with is abuse, abandonment, uncontrolled breeding, and people who breed for money while abusing the dogs that support their living.