Novice is sort of an understatement as I dont even have a dog - yet. Im looking to buy a Siberian Husky male/femal pup (which I have already implied on the 'Breeding' forum). The thing is is that I dont know how much it would cost to buy/feed/care? I have friends who have trained seeing-eye dogs and are willing to help me train it but an estimate of the cost of training would also be be appreciated as well. I presume that such dogs would be expensive and I am willing to pay, however I am not planning on entering any dog shows so an estimate for a pedigree and a non-pedigree would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Ps. I live in England so if estimates could be in Sterling please.

Hi Sir
Please make sure that you find a reputable breeder and the pup is kc reg. the link to SHCGB (on your other posting )should help you with lots of good info on these dogs.may i suggest you do a lot of research into this breed and then go and do some more. In my opinion these dogs are not for the novice/first time owner
They require lots of mental stimulation aswell as excercise. if they are left alone to get bored the amount of destruction that they can cause in even a short time is amazing. There are a few sibe owners on here and im pretty sure they will agree :-)

Thanks for your reply.

I am a pretty active person and regulary run for exercise, on top of this I have a large back garden for it to roam. I will research the breed and buy litarature so that I may prepare myself as much as possible.

Hi Sir,

We are in the same position as you, as in we are 'first time puppy owners', we have both had dog's as children but never had sole responsability of a dog. We have just had the news that our breeders dog is pregnant, so we are a little way further down the road than you are, but the reason I am replying to your post is in response to JaneandKai's post. She is dead right that some breeds just aren't for the novice owner, who hasn't a clue about how to look after them correctly, however if you are prepared to put in the time to learn, and be aware of all of the breeds traits and look for others experience to help you along the way, it will be OK. We are getting an Australian Shepherd dog, which is one of the breeds not advised for a first time owner, but I feel that from the theory side of things, we are pretty much as prepared as we can be, we realise that we will come across problems when we actually have a our puppy at home, and will be relying on others help to get through these problems, and we understand that no matter how much we try to prepare for the physical side of owning a puppy, until the pup is here and we experiencing it for ourselves, we will have pretty much no idea what it will be like.

I suppose what I am saying is that it is all relative, some people wouldn't be able to care for the easiest dog going, others will do everything possible to make sure their dog is cared for in the best way they can. If you are in the latter you will need to be prepared to make mistakes, to gain from others experience, to teach yourself how to, but most of all give a rather difficult dog everything s/he will need - most of all love, even on the day they have wrecked you kitchen/carpets/used your leg as a lamp post/chased the post man down the road!!! ;)

Good luck :D

Hello Sir,

I totally agree with Natalie. My OH is a first time dog owner (I had Rough Collies and GSD's growing up) and we got an Aussie a few months ago. She is totally lovely and very rewarding - but my OH would have found it very difficult without (a) me helping him; (b) going to regular puppy classes; (c) doing loads of reading; and (d) endless patience and being prepared to make and correct mistakes.

Think about what you ultimately want to do with your dog - maybe there is an easier breed which can suit you? (there are many energetic breeds out there). Also remember that for many many months your puppy will not be able to do much exercise. We are a very active couple and we've had to stop our all day walks/mountain bike rides ... and it'll be sometime before we can start again.

Try and find a reputable breeder who will have spent time and money on the puppies to ensure they are as healthy and well adjusted as they possibly can. Also, find a breeder who you get on with - they are invaluable sources of advice as they know their dogs.

I've no idea on how much your chosen breed costs - but please don't be tempted to buy on the cheap as this can so often prove to be a false economy. Puppy/training classes are cheap - but feed/vets bills can be large ... and if I count in the amount of hours I need/want to spend with my puppy she's off the scale expensive! Strong-willed, intelligent, athletic dogs are fantastic and very rewarding (I'm biased!) - but also hard work and not suited to everyone.

Good luck with your puppy ... and let us know how you get on ...

Natalie - have you been doing any more puppy preparations? Let me know if you'd like any aussie web links ...

Hi again AussieRocks (I wish I had have been a bit more imaginative with my name!!! ;) ) :D

Actually, I am still going through and trying to replace all of my favorites list, so if you get a minute I could do with a heads up to some more!! I must have had about 100 sites saved, now I have about 15!!! I have found the grooming guide that I really wanted, can't for the life me know how I remembered the name of it!!! And I have got all the show sites back, I had about 10 sites just to do with raw feeding, but now have none!!! Blooming computers, more trouble than their worth!!! :rolleyes: ;)

How is your pup doing? I bet she is starting to show her true personality now she is settled in! Our kitten was as sweet as can be when we first brought her home, a few weeks down the line and she was climbing the curtains, running around like a madd'en and just basically being a kitten!! :)

Nat xxx

If you go to the husky page of champdogs you will find a breed guide,a list of breeders and a list of breed clubs.
I would suggest you are totally honest with the breeders as to your lack of experience as you have been with us.Ask questions and be prepared to answer lots too.You will get some knock backs because of your lack of experience HOWEVER you need to find a breeder who is willing to help and advise you throughout your dogs life.The support of your pups breeder is invaluable...be careful you buy from a good reputable breeder.Huskys have become very popular very quickly and many people have jumped on the band waggon breeding poor examples with only regard for making money.I know someone who brought from such  a breeder and the dog has cost thousands in health problems and is a very sorry looking husky to boot poor sole.
You should be expected to visit the breeder so they can see how you interact with the dogs...don't be worried.If you show you are willing to learn and take advise a good breeder will 'take you under their wing'.
I know you don't want to show but don't be afraid to approach 'show' breeders...they all produce pups that need pet hoems...and thet doesn't mean they are substandard except they may lack that 'little something' needed for the ring.They will still outstrip your pet bred pups easily in most cases.
Good luck. 
Archer

Litters I have found average cost is £600-700
Parents should be hip scored, and I think eye tested
Archer

good reply Nat!

Sir

I would go along with what has been said regarding a Husky being a challenge to the novice dog owner.  The are the most amazing, beautiful,enigmatic creatures I have ever had the pleasure to be close to but they are easily bored - a mater of seconds when playing with toys, and need a lot of mental stimulation.  As with all dogs they need regular excersise, the down side is that most people will advise you not to let your Husky off the lead. This means longer walks and running with your dog if possible.  If you have a good sized garden where your dog can run free you have to make it Husky escape proof - please note this is not dog escape proof.  Huskies are amazing escape artists who not only jump and climb they dig like deamons and once free running they keep running in a straight line, they do not circle like other dogs they just go.  It is easy to be lulled into a sense of false security if your puppy Husky does not run away, does not dig but they hit adolescent time and it all changes.  Some will respond fantasticaly well to recall others will not even give it a second thought.  I am granny to a lovely Husky boy and I thought I was prepared having had dogs all my life but these are something special and although they are incredibly loving, they are also very independant.

If you find a breeder who is willing to have you visit and learn what Huskies are all about, and I know there are some out there, you could then think about adding one to your family.  Go to shows and ask as many questions as possible.  Good luck with your search.

just to add to echo's reply about fencing

It needs to be atleast 6foot high all round with another 2 foot buried into the ground. If its wooden be warned that they are likely to chew it if they can so check it every day for signs of damage. Check any plants in the garden for toxicity and any that arnt toxic to dogs wont last long anyway lol, and watch out for holes. :D :D

hi again Sir the breed clubs states that a fair price for a husky puppy is between

£500 & £600 although i have seen them charged higher than this some up to £700 i would definately steer clear of any 1 who is asking for up and above £700 this is much too high a price for a Siberian Husky :-(

you will need to make sure that the parents have been hip scored and eye tested and make sure the breeder is reputable the breed clubs i gave you in the "can you let a husky off lead" will send you details of reputable breeders if you contact them :-D also there are breeders listed on champdogs
your breeder should be willing to offer you a lifetime of advice whether you need advice after 2 days 2 years or 10 years

as the others have said be honest about your worries and aks any questions that you may be worried about they are a challenging breed at the best of times but for a 1st time dog owner you will have your work cut out ;-)

as long as you find a good breeder i think you will find that you will be asked a lot of questions also a good breeder will vet all potential owners some will do home visits too

huskies will easily get bored they thrive on company, which usually leads to getting another for company, some breeders wont consider you either if you are working full time and no 1 is going to be around for the pup,

you will also need to make sure your garden is very secure for a siberian most owners build kennels and runs or buy in galvanised panels to make a dog run from

good luck again dont hesitate to p.m me or ask any more questions if you need any more help

Michelle & gang 

Thanks everyone!

I have read all of your posts and have really learned from your advise. Some people have said that a Husky is not recommended for a first time dog owner but I couldnt see myself with any other kind of breed - were some what alike :) . I am already considering steps to husky proofing my garden (to which digging under the fences may be a problem) but I hope I can over come this. I used to have chipmunks (a total of 35) for seven years and no about routine and commitment; plus Ive caught chipmunks that escaped over 50 times :D !

I will do what ever it takes so that any Husky that I may takes leads a rich and happy life.

You may just find a slight difference or two between chipmunks and a sibe ;) :D

Vet costs , food , treats , TOYS TOYS AND MORE TOYS! You can't get enough!

It is quite expensive , i believe i had a topic up asking everyones annual costs..

Found that topic for you

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=561296#pid561296