Can anyone suggest a similar breed to a husky?
I'm looking for a breed similar in appearance but which can be happily let off the lead during walks.
I already have a Weimaraner - so it's important that any new addition to the family would be happy with a dog already in residence.

Most of the Arctic dogs have a high prey drive which makes them (in general) unsuitable for free running unless you are somewhere suitable :)

I own 3 elkhounds..they are always mistaken for huskys .They are not an easily trained breed but it is possible to train them to be off lead with time and patience.One of mine is unreliable but we're working on it(doesn't run away just wants to play with all the other dogs) and the other is excellent.(pup is too young to be out)
They are dog freindly as a rule .
Archer

Depends I think what it is the guest likes about the Sibs, if it is the looks then may be an Elkhound would be too chunky for their tastes, the husky weighs about the same as an Elkhound but is taller and in most cases of a lighter frame. Also there is far more variation in the colour of sibs compared with the Elk this is always grey, well it is in this country.

Perhaps if the guest would like to join us and let us know just what it is that appeals we may be able to find a spitz to suit.

Hi Guest,

As Melody says, Husky breeds tend to have very selective hearing!!  Once you let them off the lead, something will interest them and zoom.....off they run!  This apply's to Siberians, Malamutes and Samoyeds.  In my experience, Malamutes are slightly better.  I find when Tundra runs off he tends to stop and look behind him to see where 'Mummy' is!  Whereas when my Samoyed runs off, that's it....she's gone and she is very hard to get back.  Siberians are the same....they do have a very high prey drive and will run and chase after anything that moves.....even leaves!

There are other breeds such as the Finnish Spitz which are a lovely breed.  I don't really know much about them but as Jackie say's please join and we can help you a lot more.

Charlene

Hi Jackie
no doubt to us and many people elks are not like huskys but there are many people who think they do. As you say depends on how 'husky like' they want the dog to be.Was only going by what 'joe public' think elkies look like....
Archer

i have afew photos of my friends elkies up in my shop,(makes a change from my hundreds of collie pics that are up!)& EVERYBODY thinks they are huskies that comes in the shop,they are good clear pics too,defintally very elkhound looking!

Yes and hers most definately go off lead, lol!!!

There are also Buhunds, and I am surprised that one poster considers Samoyeds difficult in this reagard as I see a lot of pet ones in Bristol all very good off lead.

Of my five 3 are very good, one tends to please herself, but causes no trouble and always returns, even if I have to wait a little.  The puppy looks like she will be as good as the older 3.

Finnish Spitz are generally less reliable off lead than the Elkhounds, but older ones can be quite good, in the country one away from the owner could well be shot as a fox.

The Finnish Laphunds are smaller and very nice, and not too bad off lead, as of course are Keeshonds.

Joe Public thinks EVERYTHING looks like a Husky .......including Elkhounds, Malamutes, Akitas ....

:rolleyes:

:D

Yep - according to Joe Public, all Spitz breeds are huskies!
:)

Well I suppose that most of the northern spitz are, but not all were used exclusively for load pulling. And you are all correct, I have lost count of the time that mine have been called huskies or wolf crosses.