[.ca] Siberian Huskies For Dummies (ISBN 0764552791)

Well intentioned:
Well, this book is a good dog primer, with a lot of material specific to Siberians. I really liked the fact that the author covered both history and the wonderful sport of mushing. The training and medical info is also useful and well done if basic. The thing that annoyed me is that the author suggested that buying a puppy at a pet shop was OK, and also said something about Alaskan Huskies being awful pets that no one should adopt. As a person who has owned both Alaskans and Siberians, I found this comment untrue and annoying. Many Alaskans make wonderful pets, even retired sled dogs. In fact I recommend adopting a retired sled dog if you are interested in a recreational mushing- I did. It reminds me of what people used to say about Greyhounds 20 years ago, that they make awful pets. That is also untrue! Why put a stamp of approval on puppy mill pet shop Siberians, while keeping well cared for Alaskans from getting a chance at a good retirement home? Maybe she thought pet shops would not carry her book if she criticized pet shop puppies. However, if you look at the book as a lifeline for a first time owner surviving thier Siberian's puppyhood, the book can literally be a lifesaver. She says yes, the puppy will grow out of many behaviors- hang in there! Your Husky needs company and training, please provide these things! It's a working breed, please let it work if possible! In these areas, the author does a good job. I just didn't like the untrue comments on Alaskan Huskies ( many of which are part Siberian) and the wishy-washy acceptance of the puppy mill industry and buying a Siberian puppy that way. That's a BAD idea and really brought an otherwise good book way down in my eyes. Find a good breeder who cares about the dogs, either racing or show, or try a rescued Husky if you have the time to deal with an unknown background.

Great information that I have not seen in other books:
My wife and I are VERY new at the Siberian Husky thing (we just adopted our first guy last Saturday from a rescue - a two year old named Yukon), but decided to pick up a few books to read up on them. Maybe we didn't buy the right books, but it really seems like this one has a lot of information that other do not have. I also suggest "Siberian Husky: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)," as it is a great, comprehensive look at the breed, and includes information found in "Siberian Huskies Complete Owner's Manual" (which is itself a good book, but tends to skimp in a few areas). I would pick this book up as an addition to your library but, if you are going to really research these great dogs, I recommend buying one or two others to go along with it.

Great for New Sibe Owners:
A great book with a wealth of information. It touches on almost every problem you will come across with your husky.

Good Information for the First-Time Husky Owner:
For anyone thinking of adopting a husky, this book is a good resource. It does not intend to scare potential owners away from this awesome breed, but it does accurately present the joys (and hardships) of owning a Sibe. Sibes are wonderful, but they are definitely not for everyone - especially for the lazy. Far too many people adopt dogs without properly considering the time and commitment that goes into their care. A husky can be a challenging dog (as opposed to other breeds) for a first time dog owner. They need a lot of exercise to keep them fit (physically and mentally), they are food thiefs extraordinaire, they are not to be trusted off leash, and escape artists (yes, they can climb a 6 ft chain link fence or dig under it). Huskies that don't do at least some of these things are a rarity indeed. Potential owners need to be ready to deal with these issues or they could have a lost or injured dog on their hands before they know it. My Sibe was a rescue who originally came from a pet store - he was not the product of good breeding practices and has many health problems as a result. Personally, I would not buy an animal from a pet store and I don't think that this book is necessarily condoning this method either. The fact of the matter is that dogs will continue to be sold in this manner so long as there is a demand - the authors realize this and simply take the time to point out the risks associated with buying dogs from stores. They also provide advice for people purchasing their dog from a pet store - what info to look for, what to be wary of, etc... I would rather have an informed dog buyer at a pet store than an uninformed one. This book does not claim to be the "be all end all" on husky info... it repeatedly states, "Do your research." So read this book, read others, talk to breeders and owners, go to shows, sledding competitions and you may get a glimpse of life with a husky. But nothing prepares you like living with one!

Awesome Book!:
My fiance and I recently got a siberian husky puppy. She confused the heck out of us with the things she was doing. When we got this book it solved alot of our problems. It explained to us why she was doing the things she did. If you have a husky you should definatley pick this book out!