i need a texas name!

[Giselle]

I still think you're going to have trouble. In Greys, an adoption group wouldn't DREAM of placing a high prey drive dog in a cat-home. Even though your kitty may live primarily outside, you must must must supervise your Siberians whenever they go outside. When excited and outside, your pups' prey drives will resurface.

Our group recently hosted a chain of lure coursing trials. One Greyhound owner let her dog run the course. However, when she brought her dog home, her dog proceeded to kill the family cat. This Greyhound had lived with the family cat for *years*, but when the Grey ran on the lure coursing field, her prey drive resurfaced, and the story unfortunately ends in death. I would highly recommend you reconsider acquiring Houston. You know, I sort of have the same situation as you. I could not stand Greyhound puppies for a minute. Contrary to their calm elders, Grey puppies are notoriously known for their landsharkiness. Therefore, I devote my life to show Pekingeses and adopting retired racers, who are years past puppyhood. Perhaps you could do the same

[lv4dogs]

Originally posted by Giselle
I still think you're going to have trouble. In Greys, an adoption group wouldn't DREAM of placing a high prey drive dog in a cat-home. Even though your kitty may live primarily outside, you must must must supervise your Siberians whenever they go outside. When excited and outside, your pups' prey drives will resurface.

Any reputable breeder won't place a pup with a high prey drive in a home with cats or other small critters either.

[lute]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
Any reputable breeder won't place a pup with a high prey drive in a home with cats or other small critters either.

i think that was really uncalled for. my friend is a very reputable breeder. we've already talked about the cat. i watch the dogs very well when they go outside. they don't go off leash unless they are in the kennel or at the park on the other side of town.

[LuvGold00]

Lute,

I think it's great you are involved with shows, and love it! Good for you! But from someone who has been there, I think instead of getting another puppy so quick you should focus on Gracie, and getting her Championship. It's very difficult to train and show two dogs at the same time, and even more difficult when they are both still puppies. Regardless of the breed. Before you make your final decision you should think about your future, if you get another Husky, then that's another space taken up which could have been occupied by a Dane.
Whatever you choose, good luck!

[Glacier]

I've been trying to avoid this thread, but...

lute, please be careful. As you know I have both huskies and cats. My higher prey drive huskies are never allowed to even see one of my cats. I have warned my neighbors who let their cats outside that if their cats come over here, they are dead and I will not take responsbility for their animal being on my property. If one of my dogs got out and killed someone's cat, that would be my responsibility. Check your local animal control by-law. In many places a dog that is off it's owner's property and kills or injures another domestic animal can be classed as dangerous and immediately euthanized--regardless of breed or situation. That's what would happen to my dogs if they killed someone else's cat while on a walk-about. Your cat would likely be much safer from your dogs in the house--not to mention safer from a multitude of other dangers.

Stop letting Gracie play with your cat at all. If her prey drive kicks in, it doesn't matter if you are six inches away, your cat is dead.

Huskies are pack animals. They are much more likely to show their natural instincts when they are with other huskies--their pack. One high prey drive dog can trigger another with no prey drive to hunt!

I take great care to make sure my cats are safe and it's still not enough. My cats stay inside, I have two doors on all entrances to my house just in case a door gets left ect. On May 26, 2005, I was gone for 90 minutes in the evening. When I left all 8 cats were inside and perfectly fine. I came home to find Dominique's broken body in the yard. I have no idea how she got outside. She was killed by the dogs she had lived in perfect harmony with for over five years. I've had some pretty horrid stuff happen to me in my life, but finding Dominique was the single worst moment of my life. That moment is forever seared into my mind. I miss her every day, I still cry for her every day. I have struggled to rebuild my relationship with my dogs every day. Almost every husky-cat owner I know has a story of their husky killing a cat. Ask yourself honestly if you will be able to forgive Gracie or Houston if they kill your cat? It's extraordinarily hard to rehome a confirmed small animal killer.

I adore my dogs, but it has been a struggle to remember that they were just dogs being dogs and doing what they have been bred to do for 1000's of years. I have forgiven them. I will never forgive myself.

I don't mean to deter you from a second husky if that's really what you want. They are wonderful dogs. But, trust me, you don't want to go through this, especially if you aren't fully committed to the breed. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Den Anne Pen]

I agree with everyone else.

My sister has a husky and a akita mix while her Akita mix is worse with small animals she'll go after anything in the yard birds, skunks,racoons,ect. when they are together it''s worse Luna the husky would play with the cat before they got VAl but since they got her the cat stays upstairs because with the 2 of them her additude changed with the cat.

I am raising 2 puppies right now there 2 months apart and i'll tell you it is it's beyond a fulltime job. I would'n get 2 puppies again at the same time. Don't get me wrong i love them and don't regret getting them but i also relize they'll be no social life now for about another year. I really would'nt suggest getting 2 pups at once.

Also you have to watch out with having 2 pups at the same time because they will bond to eachother and not to you. So that means EXTRA time with eachone and also letting them know your the alpha.
It really is ALOT ALOT of work.

Good luck with what you decide
I'm not trying to preach to you just let you know it's beyond a fulltime job

[lute]

Glacier-
i'm so sorry about Dominique. what a terrible thing to come home to. i love my cat to death, but if i had to i could rehome her. my best freind just recently adopted a cat i was fostering. she had just lost her cat of 19 yrs. she said if my cat, PiddyBob, ever needed a home to let her know she's take her in a heartbeat. she would be a fully indoors cat and have her buddy(the foster cat) back. i've thought about it. i'd get to see her whenever i wanted because my friend lives 2 blocks away. i think that what i'm gonna do is get Houston and if he even looks at the cat wrong PiddyBob will go live with my friend.

[slleipnir]

I think what Glacier is trying to say is...you're not always going to be there for your cat. Like she said, her dogs lived fine with the cats till one day she was out....this could happen to your cat...you might think "if he looks at the cat wrong..." but I honestly don't think it will happen like that...You could think "Oh, awesome! Houston is gonnaplay with her like Gracie!!" then the dog could suddenly decide to kill it....I don't know much about it, but should you take the chance? Is it fair to rehome your cat just so you can have this dog?? No offence, but if I had the choice of getting a dog and rehoming my cats...there would be no dog. My pets I have now are family and I made a life long commitment to them. I guess if you feel she will be happy there then whatever is best for the cat...however, if you're getting the dog you should probably rehome the cat??? Like..don't take any chances...esp if you said he has a high prey drive...I duno, like I said, I don't know anything about this sort of thing...I'm just a little worried about the cat.

I hope everything goes well for you. Are you going to keep showing Gracie along with Houston?? Good luck

[dukedogsmom]

I think Glacier gave you some very good information. Just think of all the years of experience she's had. If you're really set on getting another puppy, I'd rehome the cat before getting the dog. There's no need taking chances, you know?

[lv4dogs]

Originally posted by lute
i think that was really uncalled for. my friend is a very reputable breeder. we've already talked about the cat. i watch the dogs very well when they go outside. they don't go off leash unless they are in the kennel or at the park on the other side of town.

I am honestly very sorry if I caused any bad feelings and I understand where your coming from. I appologize for that but I still believe the same. A reputable caring concerned breeder would place a husky in a home with cat, but not one that has a very high prey drive.
I do believe that the breeder is a great one and you are one awesome pet owner!

[lute]

I hope everything goes well for you. Are you going to keep showing Gracie along with Houston?? Good luck

yes, i'll be showing both dogs.