Sibes and other northern breeds

monkeys23

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#41
Erm, had a dream that I had another sled dog last night. She was very light red, but brighter than Zander, and her name was Cinnebar. We were all hiking in the snow. :dunno::rofl1:
 

Romy

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#42
Erm, had a dream that I had another sled dog last night. She was very light red, but brighter than Zander, and her name was Cinnebar. We were all hiking in the snow. :dunno::rofl1:
This was obviously a prophetic dream, and you must go get her now.



Mellow for a husky! Good with dogs and cats! Can be trusted in the house! :D
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/24347630
 

monkeys23

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#44
Unfortunately the preamble to their adoption app says: Effective immediately, we do not adopt to people living in apartments. We will not make an exception to this. :(

I live in a basement apt of a house. Its in a house, but still an apt.
 

monkeys23

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#47
Be prepared? lol

And realize you'll never be one step ahead of the Sibe. LOL

Honestly if you'e never lived with one before I would suggest fostering through a good rescue before acquiring your own. Seems to be a lot of people on pit bull forums who've also had a sibe and every one has said they will never get another Sibe when the current passes lol.
 

Lyzelle

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#48
And realize you'll never be one step ahead of the Sibe. LOL
That. So, so that. I've seen so many trainers try to make excuses for Sibes like, "Oh, well, you just have to MAKE them do this! Or MAKE them want to do that! Or you should just totally expect it next time!"

There is nothing to expect, because you are never going to see it coming. And you aren't going to "make" them do anything. :rofl1:

Other than that, they really are extremely independent. They honestly couldn't care less about you, and they are more apt to figure things out themselves than follow you anywhere or take any of your praise. They get bored easy. Need tons of exercise. They will run. Period. The only ones I have seen that don't run are typically from the softer show lines. They were bred to run and they will run. Recall is a dim light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh, and they are total demon spawn as puppies. Think of rebelling teenagers. In a todder's mind. With claws, teeth, and a LOVE of chewing and digging.

That's a Sibe in a nutshell. :p

I would definitely recommend fostering first.
 

monkeys23

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#49
Gawd I love sled dogs. :D

Apparently after I left for work, mind you both my roomies are RIGHT THERE watching Deadwood not ten feet away!, and Lily immediately stuck her head in the trash after my roomie's McDonald's bag. Oh Lily I heart you! :D
 

frostfell

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#50
LOL Well straight off I only want 1. Im not looking to "get into" a new breed, I just want one thing thats bigger, fluffier, prettier, and can work and play and function for more than 45 seconds. Iv been breed-digging for a year or so now, and considered and discarded GSD and Akita, and now am looking into Mals and Sibes. Im definitely not firm, but its looking like the Sibe will work, provided I find the right individual DOG for me. I dont need something clingy, my bullies arent, and I like it better than the velcroness of the pits I used to have. I want something I can do WP with, but that is also okay with other dogs and with strange people. I dont want d/a or h/a. Indifference is fine, dangerous behavior is not. I want something not prone to the drama and hysterics and screaming and wimpyness that the GSD seems prone to. I want something built in a way that it stays sound well into 10+ years. I want something affordable (Japanese import Akita I am looking at YOU). Obedience isnt so important as long as I can get some basics, loose lead walking, pay attention to me, any kind of recall at all (like in the freaking house or yard), and training for weightpulling. I dont need picture perfect sits or downs or heeling. Iv already approached a breeder and described what I want, just waiting on a reply. I know breeds come in a spectrum, so for how sibes are, Im looking for the calmest most confident male puppy, the thinker, the one that isnt too fussed with anything, unflappable, curious, not dramatic or timid. Not physically calm like doesnt run or want to play, but personality calm. If a car backfires out front or I drop a pot on the floor, or I need to trim his nails, I dont want drama. That kind of calm.

What other traits of a Sibe do I need to watch out for? Are they particularly voracious chewers like the bull breeds, or just more "curious as cats" and into everything?
 

Lyzelle

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#51
Oh, Sibes are definitely dramatic. They will scream, yell, and throw all out temper tantrums that your next door neighbors will hear if they don't want to do something. And I do mean SCREAM. They are extremely vocal dogs. Some of the most dramatic I've seen. Calm is not in the breed description at all. From skittish to happy, from excited to angry...they are dramatic and LOUD about darn near everything. Dixie's Violet is just one of the few that don't talk.

They are often skittish, unfortunately (and it shouldn't be the norm). I haven't met many that were comfortable in their own skin, let alone the world around them. Part of that is bad breeding, but it's also important to raise them confidently. It WILL be hard. These are some of the most infuriating puppies you'll ever see, and you'll WANT to discipline hard. But they aren't mentally built for it these days. As bratty as they are, you have to give in or deal with a very skittish unsure dog in the future.

Recall, like I said, isn't likely at all. Even your own yard will NEED to be fenced or the dog will need to be on a leash. Period. Open space = run. And they will be gone in about 5 minutes.

As far as chewing, they are horrible chewers/random eaters as pups. There's a pretty significant number of Sibe pups that die from obstruction from the things they ate because an owner wasn't looking. Zander was nearly one of those pups. He ate an entire handtowel at the age of 9 months. Keep in mind, this handtowel was in a kitchen drawer. They are SMART. Zander can also open doors.

They definitely have some cat-like tendencies. More independent, dramatic cat than obedient dog.

But if you want a watered down version, a heavy show-breeder is the way to go.

ETA: Although, a heavy show-breeder might not be the best choice if you want to to weightpull. Many of the show dogs don't have decent enough conformation to excel well in it. Too short and heavy. Malamute might be a better option for that. Just be wary of the "Giant Malamute" breeders. Not much different than a "mini" Aussie breeder or such. Just out of standard dogs with ridiculous price tags.
 
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Lyzelle

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#53
....They are cute? LOL

Everyone takes away something different. I personally love the vocal and naughty tendencies, but not everyone does. I like the challenge of training, but most people don't enjoy the fact that they aren't into their owners so traditional training methods don't always work. I love all the energy, but most hate that they are wrecking balls of disasterous fury if they don't get a run every day. Personalities can be scary and amusing. Also annoying, if you aren't used to it.

Everyone takes away something different. But it is definitely more like having a toddler than a dog.

Maybe look into Rhodesian Ridgebacks? That is the breed I'm looking into for a dog with the better Sibe qualities, but far more manageable and reliable.
 

frostfell

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#54
I want something puffy :c I know that seems stupid, but I want something I can really get my fingers in and enjoy petting and cuddle with. As convenient as the washnwear guys are, their coat isnt very nice to pet. Not very plush. Even when I look at Sibes, GSD, Akitas, and Mals, I look at the longhaired varieties. I just find it more appealing aesthetically, and tactiley (is that a word?)

I am open to other breeds however. I looked at the Berner for about half a second until I read the height and weight. Too big.

Maybe I will foster a Sibe puppy. I dont know. I mean a foster is going to show me what my puppy MIGHT be like. Considering Im going to be ultrapicky and select the most unflappable, rational puppy out of whatever litter I buy from, and that I will pass on as many puppies as I need to until I get the right personality for me (as opposed to being okay with anything thats got blue eyes or something arbitrary), the experience of a random foster rescue puppy that may not even be purebred or well bred, isnt going to be ANYTHING like the experience of my eventual dog, if and when I get him. Thats my main concern with that plan of attack.
 

Romy

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#55
Honestly, aside from size you described several malamutes that I know down to a T. They were surprisingly good off leash and a lot easier to handle than how people are describing sibes in this thread.

A stable rough collie could fit your needs too. They're not a conventional weight pull breed but a well built one can do it. One of my friends that breeds collies does bikejoring with hers. I've found that as far as herding breeds, they are waaaay less dramatic than the shepherd breeds and are more independent. Most like an aussie, but more willing to take direction than an aussie.

Samoyeds are actually a herding breed too, and are more biddable and reliable off leash. And oh so fluffay! Their temperaments are pretty ideal for what I like as far as being more independent than GSDs and more biddable than a sibe. I just wish they came in colors other than white because white hair on everything isn't my ideal. It's something I'd consider though.
 

~Dixie's_Mom~

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#56
Violet doesn't yodel or woo and roo like most huskies but she definitely does talk. She's always been very growly. Not aggressively, but of she wants outside she growls, if she's annoyed or feeling ignored she growls, etc. She also screams. Used to scream a LOT in the crate, but is now perfect in the crate. She screams if being bathed, Especially if at home (if we take her to the groomers to self-groom she doesn't scream, just whines). She will also whine in the car, or if she needs to go outside or wants something and is being ignored.

Also, the bit about eating things...omg. She swallowed an entire adult gym sock and nearly had to have surgery to remove it. It was scary. They definitely like having something in their mouths when they feel like they can get away with it.

There's more "bad", and quite a bit of good, but I have to leave for work soon so I'll add on later.
 

Romy

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#57
Oh my gosh you guys, you just reminded me of the most awesome OB class session EVER. :rofl1::rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

The class met in a big room with the instructor in the middle and everyone standing in a circle facing her, with our dogs at our sides. We were all standing at attention, watching her when a dog, I can't remember if it was a sibe or a malamute, start horking loudly.

Everyone turned to stare at the horking dog while his owner patted him consolingly. Then he made a horrible wretching sound, and puked a frilly red lace thong right in the middle of the classroom floor.

Her face turned bright red and everyone started laughing so hard. It was awesome. Sadly, they never came back. I wish they did.
 

RBark

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#58
What is good about them is an excellent question.

Ollie and Kobe both showed typical nordic dog traits, although Ollie is probably the more typical personality-wise.

I found them both trainable, with some challenge. Kobe is, in fact, off leash dependable. I ended up having to use a e-collar to do so... most definitely not my tool of choice -- but for seeing the overwhelming joy he had running among the open fields, I felt my choice was the correct one. Regardless, he is otherwise relatively obedient "with a twist". And the "with a twist" part is because I've indulged it, not because it could not be trained out of them.

Sure, he sits, he heels, he does everything. He just does it with his own particular brand of humor. I like this video, where I'm trying to tell him to give me a high five. You can see Kobe is TOTALLY doing this on purpose lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q3_AIpBuuw&feature=share&list=UU92EBh0czSlAU3es74Q43bw

Relatively, Priscilla (and most dogs I've known) were more generally obedient and while they may play loose with the rules, it's not quite in the same way.

I enjoy their sense of aloofness. Both Kobe and Ollie did not cuddle with me at night (once a month or two, at most). They happily did their own thing without involving me, played with me when we felt like it but otherwise ignored each other.

Most of the huskies and malamutes I've known have a strikingly distinct personality compared to most dogs (not in a "better" way so to speak, just different).

I've found that while I do want a retriever or sport dog, maybe two at most before I get overwhelmed by it.. I could have 20 Malamutes or Huskies and be perfectly happy and not overwhelmed. They just get along with my lifestyle so well.
 

Lyzelle

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#59
Good post, RBark. Unfortunately many people use shock collars on their Sibes and I see it often. I personally disagree with it(and prefer management), but it's an overall good post that really shows how different people take away different things from the breed.

nordic dog traits
But this. OMG this. This is one of my biggest pet peeves lately and I have no idea who started it. But Sibes, Malamutes, etc, are NOT NORDIC. :eek: There is nothing Norse about the breed. Nor is "Nordic" a proper substitute for "Northern" as it only relates to certain countries in Northern Europe. It's Spitz, Laika, or just Northern.

If I could strangle the person who came up with "Nordic"...and I have a feeling it was a show breeder.

/rant :cheers:
 

Lyzelle

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#60
Oh, and Zane just pulled a Lily. While I was cooking dinner (back turned to the trash can) he dove in for a green bean. That's all he wanted. Just the green bean. :rolleyes:
 

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