Long story short, I am interested in the sport of dryland dogsledding (or "mushing") and a few months ago I was offered a Siberian Husky for sale who had trained in the Yukon and done 100-mile races. This dog still trains and races now with his current owner, so it would be a great introduction to the sport to have a trained, experienced dog who can (quite literally) show me the ropes.

HOWEVER, I turned it down because I convinced myself that I'm crazy for even considering it. I also worried that I would be way out of my depth. He is still available so I could potentially still get him, and I can't help but wonder: was I crazy for NOT saying yes to what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

For context: I have seen Huskies in person but have never owned the breed, my family used to have Rotties so I'm used to large working breeds, however I currently have a spaniel! I could provide up to an hour of walks and/or bikejoring a day, but I worry that wouldn't be enough. Also where I live I could only train for half of the year (or less) due to heat, so the other half of the year would just be walks. I'm also not sure I could handle the dog hair (although he's an outside-only dog).

I know most of you don't have experience with mushing, but if you have ANY experience with Huskies at all (sledding or not), please let me know your thoughts! Was I crazy for turning down the opportunity to own a trained sled dog, or am I crazy for still considering it??!! (Note: the dog has no known behaviour problems but owner previously advised high non-dig fences, as per most advice pertaining to Huskies).

Not mad but sensible for doing your research
I can't answer your question but suggestions.  Read the breed standard in here.
Maybe speak to breeders explain what you are wanting to do.
Why is he being rehomed or did I miss that ?
Can u speak to other sledgng clubs and also i wonder if you spoke to welfare you might get an idea of how so mamy end up in rescue and what problems people find
We have a family near us who own a team who you often see walking them . They travel to different countries to race as well as dry racing  certainly their lives are all husky .

The only one I knew was very hard work.  he had a new to dogs owner which was a huge part of the problem but he was not an easy dog in any respect.   incredible escape artist,6 foot fence no problem to get over.  

very very high prey drive .had to be really watched round any dog smaller then him ( bit the family cat he grew up with badly at a year old- cat needed stitches and had to be rehomed to family member as was close thing- it had to be the cat rehomed not the dog as no one would have taken that dog )  had no respect for owner and bit her a couple of times when told to do something. (usually trying to put a collar on)

I met him as a little puppy and the sod raised his lip at me for telling him to stop jumping up!  owner had sense to get a very good dog trainer to train both of them but he was like a full time job .  that poor woman worked SO hard on him and with any other dog she would have had an obediance champ with all that work- she really got good at it but it was like trying to wear down granite .

was never able to be off lead as even after many months of devoted training had zero recall. his only interests were pulling on lead, wanting to run off and hunt. oh and to keep him half way sane his owner walked him many hours a day as was like a caged beast with less and became very vocal if wasn't getting that exercise.  her husband had bought the puppy as a surprise for her and he was from sledging stock so had major need for work

the adult dog you have been offered I would avoid, if he is such a paragon of sledging why is he for sale?  and why hasn't he been snapped up by some other keen sledger? 

I can see the appeal of these dogs, beautiful and a fun sport but I'd get more hands on experience first, there must be places you can go and actually get that.

Do you have space outside for kennels? All the huskies I know spend a lot of time outside, and they're almost feral inside, even oldies being quite destructive. They do better in packs and with outside space, high fences and platforms to stand on and watch the world go by.

> the adult dog you have been offered I would avoid, if he is such a paragon of sledging why is he for sale?  and why hasn't he been snapped up by some other keen sledger?  <br />

I agree with this, and your whole post Weimed, they are not like normal domestic dogs at all. Very pretty but an awful lot of work.

I used to see a lot of him as my weimaraner was the only dog he could be trusted with up close so we used to walk together a fair bit (my weimaraner also needed a lot of exercise) 

the only reason they got on was because when he was a little fluffy pup he attacked my weimaraner (not play bite- he meant it- drew blood) and my first weimaraner was extremely good with puppies, she flattened him, roared in his face and held him (did not hurt him) and after that he was her loving submissive pal for life.

I really felt sorry for that women, she had always wanted a dog, was early retired and fit. her husband knew she had always admired huskies on tv and bought him for her. of course she fell for him, fluffy and beautiful, within minutes she would never let him go but such an unsuitable dog. over 10 years her entire existance dictated by a dog who wasn't even much attached to her.  she was a 'good' owner who never gave up but frankly I think she should have.

I think as Chaumsong says he would have been happier kennelled outside in a big secure run with other huskies but thats not really a pet

> the adult dog you have been offered I would avoid, if he is such a paragon of sledging why is he for sale?  and why hasn't he been snapped up by some other keen sledger?  <br />

This was where I went to with this.

Personally I'd spend a lot of time around breeders of lines who sled and what sort of set up they have and what they do with the dogs for exercise and brain engagement when in the off season.

I'd echo the comment about if this was such a great dog,why is he being rehomed and why hasn't he been snapped up by other sledding owners?

I'd also consider looking at the show lines, see how they compare as they'd still be able to sled but less likely to need as much work put into them. They are a highly vocal breed and you'd need a garden with more than 6ft fencing, I'd look at 8ft plus. They can live inside well, I know some who do have them living inside.

I do prefer the chunkier type of Husky and even in the show ring you see 2 different types. Stable character is what you'd ideally want as they need to be a pet too.
I'd seen a few who have reliable recall off lead but that's few and far between.

Have you looked at Malamutes or Samoyeds? For me both breeds are less needy and highly strung and both can do the sledding too. If you arent looking to compete they might be options with the Samoyed being the easiest of the lot.
Ease yourself into owning a sledding breed, going all out for a strong working line when never having owned one before I feel will put you in over your head.

> I'd seen a few who have reliable recall off lead but that's few and far between

I think any responsible husky breeder would insist that you NEVER let them off lead, unless in a very secure field. I have a few friends who breed them and they never let even their oldies off lead, this is a breed not only with a high prey drive but they're bred to run away form your voice

The Sibe club say "So, you’ve decided you want a Siberian Husky. You would quite like to be covered from head to foot in dog hair for a couple of weeks, twice a year. Your garden is way too tidy, and would be improved no end by several large craters. And you are looking forward to all the extra exercise that having a dog who can never be let off the lead out in the open will involve. (Helpful tip – buy a walking belt if you like both your arms to stay the same length, these dogs were bred to pull!)"

> Samoyed being the easiest of the lot. <br />Ease yourself into owning a sledding breed

That's a great suggestion, Samoyed although still noisy are real all rounders and much more trainable.

Hi furriefriends, yes I have read the breed standard. Have done quite a lot of research and have also spectated a dryland sled race. There is also someone local to me who has a few Huskies and travels around racing during winter, so it is my intention to speak to them too. The owner told me he is being rehomed because he is older (10 or 12, I forget) so she wants him to have a quieter life, plus she explained that out of all her huskies he is the one most suitable for a pet home, so I believe it is a genuine sale.

> the adult dog you have been offered I would avoid, if he is such a paragon of sledging why is he for sale?  and why hasn't he been snapped up by some other keen sledger?

Hi weimed, see my reply to furriefriends - it is a genuine sale, and I'm assuming he hasn't been bought by another dogsledder for the simple fact that he's older. However he would be ok for me because I would be doing low-level training and competing.

> Do you have space outside for kennels?

I haven't got outside kennels, but I do have the space and have been looking at options.

> Have you looked at Malamutes or Samoyeds?

Hi suejaw, I did look into Malamutes but I prefer the Husky look and build, a much lighter build and less fluffy than a Malamute. I'm not overly keen on the look of Samoyeds. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

As an aside but related.

I was out with my girl several years ago, early one Sunday morning. Walking up a narrow path, I noticed a man coming the other way on a three wheeled trolley contraption, with handlebars, pulled by a pair of huskies. Deciding that we were best off out of the way, we stepped off the path up the bank and stood behind a bench. Huskies carried on down the path going like the clappers when they must have got a whiff of my dog. Well they hesitated for literally a split second but it was enough for the tow rope to slacken and wrap itself round the front wheel. The driver (musher?) went sailing through the air landing in an undignified heap on the floor with two very confused huskies peering at him. Fortunately, only his dignity was injured and after untangling the rope they continued on their way. I’ve never seen them since. Presumably they train on softer surfaces than tarmac now.

(Helpful tip – buy a walking belt if you like both your arms to stay the same length, these dogs were bred to pull!)"

So true and did make me smile.

I noticed you have a spaniel do u think with how high maintaining a husky can be that you will have time for both ?
Also if the current owner is retiring this dog and you want to dry sled how will that work ?

I am genuinely curious but, isn't 10 - 12 years of age a bit old for sledding?

> will have time for both ?

I think so. I'm home most of the time so it's not as if he'd be left at home while I'm at a 9-5.

> if the current owner is retiring this dog and you want to dry sled how will that work ?

Again, I think so because he is currently training and competing on a 6-dog team. He's at the right age that most sledding dogs would either retire completely or go to someone like me who will still sled but not as much and at a much lower intensity.

> isn't 10 - 12 years of age a bit old for sledding?

Hi CaroleC, from the research I've done it seems that most sled dogs can and will train and compete up to that age. He's at the right age to semi-retire, and as I said in the original post the sledding season is very short - literally a few weeks in winter.

Seem's to me your mind is made up to go for it

> 10 or 12

I can't believe someone is selling a dog of that age, free to a lovely retirement home I'd imagine. All of my friends dogs have retired by that age. You can't expect a 10 or 12 year old dog to pull you. He may manage to continue for a year or so with some stronger, younger dogs but then they would be too fast for him. Then you've got an elderly pet who may well live for another 7 or 8 years with the increased vet bills that older dogs bring. I just don't think it's a great idea I'm afraid.

I was going to say similar. To the op if you do go for it i sincerely hope it works out. Far too many in rescue. Would the owner allow you to foster for a while to see how it goes for both of you

> Seem's to me your mind is made up to go for it

Not at all - I'm not currently in contact with the owner so there's no obligation for me to take him. Simply after advice :)

> Would the owner allow you to foster for a while to see how it goes for both of you

It's an idea, but would that be fair on the dog - and sometimes it takes a while for a dog to settle down with a new owner and new surroundings?

Hard to know but dogs do go into kennels . Just a thought as returning dog if it doesn't work out wouldn't be good either.
Personally I think the op needs to be very sure its right for her and the dog

I could provide up to an hour of walks and/or bikejoring a day,

Don't move as quickly as I once did, but our spaniel gets around 3 hours a day, an hour of lead walking for a Husky would think is restrictive.