Choosing a dog is a big commitment – he or she will be with you for quite some time! Releashed Rescue wants to help you find the best match for your family.
The Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog breed with a thick coat that comes in a multitude of colors and markings. Huskies are the BEST breed when raised, socialized, and exercised properly but the worst when not. It is easy to see why many are drawn to the Siberian’s wolf-like looks, especially with the popular TV show Game of Thrones, but be aware that this athletic, intelligent dog can be independent and challenging for first-time dog owners. Huskies also put the "H" in Houdini may need a fenced yard that is sunk in the ground to prevent escapes. This high-energy breed can be destructive both indoors and out when bored or not given adequate exercise.
Currently there is an epidemic that even 3 husky rescues in the Atlanta area cannot control. This epidemic is the overbreeding and selling of huskies to consumers under educated about the breed that keep them until about the age of 1 and then dump them. The thirst for huskies comes from the show Game of Thrones and the fascination with direwolves of the Stark clan. This happens with most breeds that are in a current movie or show but normally subsides in a year. The husky fascination is going strong after 3 years. Releashed Rescue has seen a 300% increase in the numbers of huskies needing rescue and most of these dogs were purchased as puppies, never given proper socialization and now need extensive rehabilitation to rehome. Releashed has a kennel on 35 acres used exclusively to rehabilitate the ones needing rehabilitation and a network of about 20 foster homes that will keep the ones ready for a home. We still cannot keep up with the demand.
This is not a breed for everyone but make wonderful pets for people who are willing to commit the proper amount of time to exercise, train, and socialize them. Pets are a lifetime commitment so be sure to do plenty of research on the right breed for you before adding one to your family!
So, in thinking about what kind of dog you’d like to adopt, we’ve put together some things you should consider…
Why do you want a dog?
How long will your dog be home alone?
Do you plan on having a mid-day dog walker or sending your dog to doggie daycare?
What to consider when getting a new pet
How much time do you personally have to exercise your dog? What kind of exercise do you plan to do? (running, walking, dog parks)
Who in the family will have the primary responsibility for walking the dog?
Will your dog be living with small children? (Now or in the next 5-10 years)
Will your dog be living with other dogs? Cats? (Now or in the next 5-10 years)
How upset will you be if your dog chews your things?
How upset will you be if your dog has house training issues?
Do you have time to house train a puppy? (Puppies generally need to go potty every few hours – a good rule of thumb is one plus the number of months old they are. So, a 3 month old puppy needs to go out every 4 hours – including through the night.)
Does your home/apartment have breed or weight restrictions?
Do you have a yard? Is it fenced? How tall is the fence?
Does anyone in your family have allergies to consider?
How much will shedding bother you?
Do you plan to move in the next 5 years? Will your dog be able to move with you?
How much can you afford to spend on care for your dog? Cost estimates can vary greatly, but we’ve put together a few websites to give you a sense of what to expect.
