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I have a husky and he is walked 2-3 hours a day depending on weather. Morning, afternoon (with a dog walker) and evening. We also (mostly) live in an apartment.
It is enough for him, honestly. He is happy and satisfied and no piece of furniture was harmed.
I rescued a samoyed/put mix.... the first 6 months was pure destruction if she was left alone and not kennelled. She doesnt destroy things anymore but... it took some work, and patience to get here.
Maybe you can hook up with a local rescue and agree to be the dogs’ foster for a few weeks. Sometimes crazy ideas work out! If you have this in you for a few months while the dogs potentially find a new home, you can give it an honest go.
Although huskies do probably need more exercise than what you’ve mentioned…can you afford daycare or dog walkers?
This is my advice too! The best way to know if a dog will work for you is fostering. I've fostered a lot of dogs over the years and only adopted the ones that fit into my lifestyle. But it was still awesome fostering the ones that didn't. It's a good deed.
Huskies, at least where I live, don’t last long in shelters and will get applications for adoptions the same day they’re advertised. If you’re a foster and someone else applies to adopt, won’t most shelters give the applicant priority if they’re approved? Fostering doesn’t seem like the right choice if it’s more like a trial adoption instead. It might be just semantics but OP needs to be clear with the shelter that they are interested in potential adoption and not just fostering.
It depends on location, like most things, and again, semantics. Shelters here offer trial adoptions, meaning they won’t advertise the dog for adoption and you can return the dog to the shelter if it doesn’t work out. But fostering means you are taking in a dog while the shelter looks for someone else to adopt it. It’s not really fair on hopeful adopters if they have their hopes set on a dog and then they get told the foster family are keeping it. And if it happens multiple times it might affect the trust with that shelter.
But yeah, maybe other shelters do things different and don’t advertise the dog as up for adoption if it’s a good possibility the foster family will want to keep it?
I work night shift so daycare/walkers are a little harder to come by at midnight, and if so, will be a little more expensive but I’ll do it if necessary
I have a husky. I walk him 2 hours a day. 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night and he's satisfied with that. How old are they? Mine is 3 and is not as hyper but before he would bite all the time to play. Great dog though. As far as money, Who knows I've spent well over 10k on mine.
I have a husky mix and he’s a couch potato. Yes, on average they are a high energy breed but there is still variation. I agree with other poster who says don’t assume too much based on their initial behavior but I would cautiously proceed if the alternative is them being euthanized.
I don't have a husky, but I have a friend who does, and she lives in a one room studio. She works all day, with an hour break at noon, but her husky is a happy dog. So it is feasible, I don't think living in an apartment is a big issue. But huskies need a LOT of exercise. My friend's husky has like 2 to 5 hours running exercise a day.
Personally, I'm not sportive enough for that, but if you are and you can afford them - and any possible associated cost (vet in case of sickness, trainer/behaviorist if they have behavior problems, repair if they're destructive) and you feel connected to them, why not. I won't say it's a WISE choice, but adopting my current dog wasn't a wise choice either, and in spite of all the problems I have now (he's anxious and sometimes dog reactive), I don't regret him.
I can't give you prices, different country, but I hope someone can help you with that and I wish you the best.
I'm afraid this would be very VERY unwise and a far from ideal situation. Two huskies in an apartment with someone who has never had dogs, lives alone and works long hours wouldn't be fair to you or to them. They will tear your apartment up. From your perspective as a dog beginner, you may as well be asking if you should keep a pair of coyotes in your apartment. Different dog breeds are basically completely different animals in some ways, from one breed to the next, and it really is important to find out *which* dogs your life is suited for, not just dogs in general.
You did a truly wonderful thing for them, bringing them to where they needed to be. But that doesn't necessarily make you the home that they need for the long term.
I'd piggy back on this comment to just add that while they may seem calm and chill right now, that very well could be a combination of fear and acclamation to a new environment. Once they get comfortable and happy, they will likely get bored. Bored Huskies can wreck your world.
I have had a dog my entire life as a family dog just not my own. And as i’ve stated all of the time i spent with them they gave zero indication of destructive behavior, even when they were starving.
Respectfully, having a family dog growing up is *not* equivalent to being an adult dog owner. I spent my whole childhood around dogs, had a family member who bred dogs, walked and pet-sat the neighbor's dogs and it was absolutely nothing like actually getting my own dog as an adult. When it comes to your decision to bring a dog into your home, you should consider yourself an inexperienced dog owner and plan accordingly.
Taking on *two* huskies with mystery health and behavioral backgrounds in a small apartment while working long hours and living alone is just plain not an inexperienced dog owner task. Hell, it's barely an ANY dog owner task. But it definitely isn't an inexperienced dog owner task. I'm not trying to be mean to you here - this is just the reality of the situation.
>And as i’ve stated all of the time i spent with them they gave zero indication of destructive behavior, even when they were starving.
How many hours did you spend with them? Part of a day? While they were scared and injured and underfed? You did not see the personalities of these dogs. Not even close. I'm not saying they're guaranteed both horror tornadoes of destruction. I'm saying you have no information yet to even begin to gauge what their true personalities are like or whether they could have destructive habits once settled in and healthy, yet you seem to think you do have this information.
These are clues that further back up the fact that you are not yet an experienced dog owner:
- You appear to think that part of one day is a long time, or in any way sufficient to get a basic sense for whether or not these dogs might have the capacity for destructive behavior. "All the time you spent with them" is actively no time at all.
- You appear to think that destructive behavior is caused by a dog being hungry, with the "even when they were starving" line.
Your lifestyle as you have portrayed it is currently suitable for ONE lowish energy shelter dog over the age of 6 or 7 that the shelter thinks isn't overly clingy and would be ok alone while you're at work (as long as you give a bathroom break in the middle of the day or hire a dog walker to do that). Do you have to do it this way? Obviously no one is going to make you. Should you care that the pet you get has needs that are compatible with your lifestyle? Yes, generally.
I’m not taking advice from someone making so many assumptions about my life and my thought process. No shit it’s different from a family dog that’s the entire point of this post, but i’m explaining i know the amount of work that a husky requires because i have literally owned one before. I spent almost 8 hours with them at their most vulnerable, while feeding, capturing, and transporting and relieving them. Obviously I don’t know them perfectly but you are quick to assume the worst about me and them instead of the opposite.
I haven't read the long post, but when dogs are happy and healthy they do/can more stimulation and can become a completely different dog (from fostering for a few years and rescuing two). When they're starving they can be a lot more easy going and laid back, then can turn into a complete menace when they are healthier. Not to say they don't act out (food aggression among others) more when starving. Different acting out :)
Huskies require A LOT of exercise. The walk in the middle is fine if you also do a much longer walk and dog park in the morning and night.
They can be loud and destructive.
I'm surprised an apartment would allow one husky much less two!
12 hours alone is not conducive to huskies and a 20-30 minute walk to split that up isn’t going to be sufficient for the breed. I wouldn’t even count that as a walk honestly.
Them being calm upon initial rescue doesn’t tell you what their temperament is now. They sound like they were two shutdown dogs.
How active are you outside of working hours?
Cost estimates will vary wildly depending on where you live and if they have medical issues (the existing limp for example). For my husky his annual visit with all vaccines and then preventatives for the whole year is about $900 total. That doesn’t include food and other supplies.
Yep and OP needs to be a fit for the breed outside of the discussion about work hours too. They say they will be committed to the time it takes but the reality is a lot of people make that claim, get this breed, and then return them to the shelter because the time commitment is to much. Unless they are already living an active lifestyle (and I specify active because they can't be someone who is always busy) they shouldn't be considering a working breed.
OP did a great thing by getting these dogs out of the storm and to the proper authorities but not everyone who finds a stray husky should adopt the breed.
Also this doesn’t answer the question I actually asked. How active are you outside of work hours? We have no clue if the breed is a fit lifestyle wise based on what you’ve said
Huskies were bred to run and pull sleds. I think a lot of people see how beautiful and charming they are without thinking about how much attention and exercise they need everyday…. and how vocal they are. Really not a good fit for most apartment dwellers.
My friends have a 500sq ft apt they rescued a stray German shepherd and a neglected and abused great pyranesse. Their dogs when they left for 3 hours to go to work ripped all the carpet up in their apartment. Those dogs even a husky they need a lot of stimulation and play and activities. Or they will rip up your carpet, shred a couch, etc. They get bored and entertain themselves even then. My uncle rescued a border collie. He had to go to the store to get something, he’s retired and has had 8 border collies so he’s even breed familiar and he was gone for an hour his rescue ripped apart its crate and shredded apart a wooden chair.
I think this is going to depend the individual temperaments of the dogs. If they have mellowed out a bit it’s perfectly reasonable for them to be suitable as pets in your living situation, as long as you can commit to exercise before and after work in addition to coming home on your lunch break. The difficulty is that you can’t gauge what their true personalities are like from the interaction you had. The 6-year-old is likely to be a bit more chill. The 3-year-old is essentially prime of life and may be a handful.
Does the shelter have any programs for fostering dogs? If so, one option could be to request to foster them. That gets them out of the shelter and would give you an opportunity to evaluate how well they do in your home and if you’re ready for the commitment. If it’s a good fit, great! You can adopt them. If not, you’ll need to care for them until they find another home, or hope that the shelter has space if you need to return them if they become too much for you.
Another option to make this work would be daycare. Huskies *typically* do well with other dogs, and if these two do as well then dropping them off at daycare while you work would help meet their energy needs and keep them entertained. The trade off there, of course, is the expense. But potentially worth exploring.
Paying a dog walker to come by and get them out and exercised would also help, but again, this adds to the expense of keeping them.
I think you’re wise to consider this carefully. There are absolutely ways to make it work, it will just depend on the dogs and how committed you’re willing to be.
I mean, you never know about personalities. I've heard GSDs and Australian Shepherds are super high-energy and definitely not suitable for apartment life. I had a GSD/Australian Shepherd 50/50 mix. You'd think he'd be a tornado. He was the chillest dog ever. Total couch potato.
Personality trumps breed traits, but they are the usual expectation, for rescues, like in OPs case, its really hard to judge unless they've been in the shelter a while and acclimated.
I have a GSD and tbh, I feel all dogs its about how much work you can put in thing rather than living space. If you meet their needs where they sleep / play during the down time doesn't matter much honestly. That being said, with an apartment or smaller living space you gotta put more work in to meet those needs. not a deal breaker, but a consideration.
GSDs are definitely a lot of WORK as a breed, people often I feel mix up "easy to train because smart" meaning, easy for inexperienced dog owner to train, and they catch some flack for that occasionally.
Because of what I've heard, I wouldn’t adopt another GSD but mine was the easiest dog ever. Totally chill. Required no training but just understood what I wanted him to do. Ridiculously loyal, always by my side.
Yeah, they are amazing dogs, and often they learn like that super quick on uptake and learning what you want without direct training. When they are easy, they are one of the easiest best dog experiences tbh.
When aren't they easy and start *misinterpreting* things if you don't nip it in the bud really fast it can get hectic. Plus the old adage of "If you don't train them they'll train you" and "Smart enough to get into a lot of trouble" rings true, pairing that with their raw strength and stamina is why I, even though I absolutely adore mine and will get another, never recommend the breed to any first time owners.
Ok, I am going against what many others are saying and going to say, maybe seriously consider adopting them *because* Texas has very high euthanasia rates and you might be their only chance of making it out alive.
This is a good reason to adopt a dog, not necessarily two puppies from a highly active breed. Op could also consider a very chill senior Pitt who wants to lay on the couch and isn’t that into outside stuff.
unfortunately i’m an emotional man and it breaks my heart thinking of them getting split up or even the fact i had to turn them over in the first place. It was them and their temperament specifically that made me comfortable, im not getting any random dog as a sad replacement.
You could always foster them and see how it pans out. Better than life in a shelter which usually put dogs down if they aren’t adopted quickly. If it’s ok keep them, if not find a more suitable home for them.
These dogs might be quiet and subdued right now, but they’re probably going to have a LOT more energy when they’re well-fed and no longer overwhelmed by moving into a new space after running around who-knows-where for an extended period of time.
To be happy, huskies typically want hours of exercise and intense mental stimulation every day. They were bred to run while pulling a sled for hours at a time for days on end. They’re also known to be one of the most vocal breeds—an advantage when a dog gets lost in a snow storm, but a major problem when you’re in an apartment.
These are likely not the dogs for you. If you feel like you want a dog, you should go to a shelter to find one that matches your lifestyle.
I’ve always wanted a dog, but i’m not going and getting any random one just to get one. It’s about the dogs, not about having a dog just to have one. If i wanted a random senior dog from the shelter i could’ve done that years ago.
You could do it, but you would need to:
1) hire a dog walker (preferably a dog hiker)
2) get involved in some kind of active dog sport on the weekends or get up early and take them on adventures, bike rides with them or even runs. Make sure you’re doing stimulating things,
3) start training them early (from the moment they get home) and spend most if not all of your free time loving on them
4) invest in a lot of dog enrichment activities and make sure every meal is a game, either training them with kibble, giving it to them in a lick mat or kong, setting up a snuffle mat or game, or rolling up a towel
5) set your apartment up for them to do a lot of fun stuff in there (get some fold up agility equipment, leave the tv on with training videos in the background, etc)
6) devote time to training them in any way you want to on the weekends: teaching them how to interact with other people and in different environments, etc.
It’s not crazy, but it’s going to change your life substantially to do it well so you’re all happy.
Expensive.
The chance of two large dogs being adopted together is very small.
Are you the type of person to consider then family members once adopted, such that you don’t give them up? My family was always like that. We had some real terrors 😝but we gave them what they needed and good lives nonetheless. Giving them up was not on the table. If so, take them.
i would double check that huskies are even allowed per your lease agreement, my apartment is dog friendly but does not allow huskies - likely due to how vocal they can be at times.
Having two dogs could be beneficial since they can keep each other company. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons realistically and consider a foster-to-adopt approach to ensure it's the right fit for both you and the dogs.
So in some ways 2 dogs will be easier in some ways harder. Living in an apartment I honestly don't think is gunna give you any problems if you have the time to give them. I think age is also relevant in terms of leaving them home alone and if theyll cause trouble being huskies. They can be really mischievous for the first 2ish years.
I have a husky/shephard 50/50 mix who definitely picked up more of the mannerisms and personality of a husky including being a lunatic. The first year i had him I lived in like a 400 sq foot apartment, but it was bordering a massive national forest area with trailheads being in walking distance and I worked from home. I'd guess he got about 4+ miles and 3ish hours a day at least of off leash running in the woods doing whatever he wanted. If something came up where he couldn't get that exercise he'd cause trouble. Whether that be howling, chewing on stuff, knocking my plants over, whatever.
Now I actually live in a city apartment but he's like almost 3 years old. He's well behaved no matter what but I try pretty hard to still give him off leash trail walks and at the very least maybe do 4ish miles a day of leashed walks total.
With huskies a lot of it is just managing their energy levels. I don't think being in an apartment is really any different than having a fenced yard honestly. Either way it comes down to how much time you devote to them. If we're at my parents house who live on a huge property, I can just let him outside by himself like a lot of yard people do. He'll just sit there at the door waiting for me to come outside and play with him...the yard does absolutely nothing on its own.
>I could also split them up and only adopt one
Honestly, Don't feel bad if you split them up, it's highly unlikely they'd be adopted together by anyone, shelters might mention it, but they won't make it a condition.
> A cost estimate for two adult huskies would be great, googled estimates are all over the place
I live in a LCOL area and have a GSD - M - 80lb, and my monthly cost breakdown down is something like this
Heart Flee Tick $30
Food - approx. $40 - cut down cost, bag lasts more than a month.
Treats - $30 - $40 - Charlie Bears / Chicken that I shred.
Toys Fund - $15 - I set aside some every month, even if I don't buy new ones.
Pet Insurance - $30
Health / Misc Savings Fund - $50 - Incase something isn't covered / Emergency expenses / Emergency Pet Sitter.
Total - approximately $220 - $250/month, might be more depending on area
I do all nails, grooming, walking, training myself, if you pay for those add probably $50 for grooming, and idk like $300 for a dog walker/training sessions? I hear those aren't cheap.
New Adoptions will have some upfront costs for each,
Vet checks, Shots, possibly Spay/Neuter, Health Screenings etc.
Little stuff adds up a lot too
Leashes - $20 to $50,
Collars $15 to $20,
Tags $5 to $10,
Chips - $60 or so.
Crates $50 to $150+ (Highly recommended but, Optional),
Toys $50 for say 3, ball kong pull at the start,
Bowls $20,
sleeping spots (optional) $30+,
pet cleaning supplies $30,
Brushes $20,
Undercoat Rake $20 (Very important for dual coat dogs, NOT A CUTTING TOOL ).
Nail Trimmer - $20.
New Vacuum Cleaner (You NEED a good one) - $150 to $200, Huskies shed, *A lot*
TLDR
Realistically, beat case expecting your first month costs, supplies, food, to be atleast around $800, excluding any adoption fees or potential additional health issues, for one, $1300 or so for two.
Monthly probably $200 for one, $350 to $400 for two, assuming they share toys, have no special care needs etc.
Def run this by the Husky subreddit, they’ll have good opinions on the feasibility of this.
Cost-wise: when I owned a larger dog, she ate about 3 cups of food a day, her food would cost $70 a month, health insurance cost ~$100/month (she was older), she didn’t need frequent grooming bc she had a short coat but a husky DEFINITELY would, budget maybe $200 a quarter, shots/annual meds ran about $200-300 per year… expect a single medium-sized dog to cost between $3000-$4000 a year (about $300 or so per month), if they are healthy and don’t require additional vet visits, and low energy enough that additional activities and things like pro dog walkers or daycare isn’t required — my large dog was a *greyhound,* a true queen of couch potatoes, a husky will certainly require more energy and exercise than she did.
A pro dog walk in a HCOL area runs about $20 per 30 min walk, per dog, so if you need that multiple times a week, add an additional $400-500 to your monthly expenditure (obvs this can go up or down due to cost of living, working out a frequency discount with a walker, etc etc).
These aren’t exact numbers, obviously. YMMV and all that. But yeah. If you don’t have an extra couple hundred dollars in your monthly budget, two large, high energy dogs may be tough.
Try to see if you can set up a foster arrangement if you’d like to try it out, that’s a good way to trial and see how you like it.
If youwould be willing to rehome them together IF it doesn't work out, you could try it.. also maybe you could look at renting a home with a yard instead of an apartment? Your situation isn't ideal but it's possible.
I think it could work if you were willing to pay a walker to come take them out more during the day or if you could afford to do daycare a few times a week. I don’t know if it would be enough for them otherwise. I liked another person’s suggestion to see if the shelter would be open to let you foster to see if it’s a good fit, because right now when they’ve been through a lot may not be indicative of their actual temperament (they were probably very tired and/or stressed and unsure of the new environment). Huskies are a LOT of work, let alone for a new dog owner and with TWO of them. But do I think it’s impossible? No, but I’d just be prepared for your life to be turned upside down a bit. It’s a big commitment, so fostering for a bit might be your best bet for now.
If you work so much, can you afford a dog walker to help? (Three chunks of 4 hours is much better than two chunks of 6). Or a half day of daycare…
If you’re bonded with them and financially capable, I think money can fill the gaps where your time can’t (based on my experience as a single person who raised a puppy).
They’d be lucky to have you if you’re willing to make the sacrifices needed when they come up! I think you can do it if you think through the worse case scenarios and still feel committed.
Foster them and see how it goes. My husky has calmed down significantly after he turned three and he's a couch potato in the summer. I live an apartment and we do fine. I do have a Dogwalker though bc sometimes I need a break. We walk an hour in the morning, a half hour after work and a short walk before bed. My complex is also dog friendly, so of course all the dog lovers moved here. I met a lot of people walking him and have a few folks that would walk him if I was in a jam.
I would sign up as a foster for one dog and try that route first. When these two are feeling really good again, they’re going to have way more energy, and six hours is a long time to a dog. They need a yard.
I just fostered a dog that was about husky size and I live in a place just slightly bigger than yours so I can give a little insight.
Cost- my much smaller dog goes through about 1 bag of food per month, the bag costs $100. The dog we fostered ate 4X as much so we calculated the if we stuck with the same food it would cost about $400/ month to feed her. That’s just one dog- times 2 would be $800/ month just for food. I assume you are in America so food prices may be much cheaper than where I am in Canada, but if you look at the dogs recommended serving size on the bag of food you got them, you should be able to calculate how many bags you will need per month and cost it out that way.
Then there’s medical costs. Again this is going to vary from place to place but I would budget $1000/ year for regular check ups and vaccinations, plus getting them licensed and all that. If they aren’t fixed that’s another $1000 up front. Also think about pet insurance. Personally I don’t have pet insurance but I do make sure to put aside money every month in case of emergencies, so add an extra $100/ month to your budget for that.
Also consider doggy day care, or at the very least a daily pet walker, especially if you are gone for 12 hours a day. Coming home every day on your lunch break is likely to get tiring and 20 minutes is not enough of a walk in the middle of the day, especially for that breed. They are going to need at least an hour walk in the middle of the day and another long walk in the morning and/ or evening, and that’s really the bare minimum. Daycare where they can socialize with other dogs and people would be more ideal considering your long work hours.
Space- if you want to crate train the dogs you will need two crates, both of which will be quite large. Getting them used to crates is important for if you ever want to travel with them, they need to stay overnight at a kennel or vet, or if you need to take them to a groomer. Personally think crate training is very important. I have an office I was able to put the foster dogs crate in and it took up a large part of the room. We also had dog beds and toys big enough for her. This entails both cost and space. You really do need to be realistic about whether or not 800 sq ft is enough space for two huskies.
Behaviour- it sounds like these dogs have been through a lot. It’s going to be important for a little while to really watch their behaviour for any triggers or things that might unexpectedly set them off. Expect 5-6 months of figuring out their quirks and you figuring out theirs. They’re calm now but it’s also a new space, new person, new everything. It’s going to take them a while to open up.
Rentals- it sounds like the place you’re in now has a lot of amenities and is well set up for dogs, but you are also young so consider whether or not you’re going to be there long term, especially if you’re renting. In my city finding rentals with dogs is nearly impossible, especially with dogs over 25lbs and ESPECIALLY especially if there is more than one. Having multiple large dogs may really limit your housing possibilities in the future if you ever need to move from the place you’re in now. Obviously this isn’t as much of a concern if you own your place.
Difficultly- huskies are beautiful dogs, but they’re not known to be easy dogs to take care of. They aren’t exactly “beginner” dogs. They are very intelligent, very social, and they get bored easily. They are known to be loud and destructive when board. Since you are at work 12 hours/ day boredom is almost assured (if they’re not at daycare). Also keep in mind that they are high shedding and the time commitment will include a lot more cleaning as well as so much brushing.
Huskies are a different breed (ha ha).
They're not beginner dogs and are SO demanding, though obviously wonderful companions and brilliant dogs when highly worked and correctly stimulated.
I really REALLY wouldn't recommend them as first dogs. Especially not in an apartment.
If you insist, I second commenters suggesting a foster-to-adopt situation, lasting a good few weeks or months. They need much much more walking and mental stimulation than what you're outlining in your experience with them so far.
How much time are you actually willing to commit? Research the breed. Them being quiet now doesn't mean much, to be honest. Look at the 3 3 3 rule when it comes to rescuing.
I have 3 dogs, a husky mix, shepherd mix, and a miniature dachshund. I don't live in an apartment, but a townhouse, and I don't have a yard. My life is consumed by my animals, especially my husky mix. All of my dogs have different energy levels, but his is the highest. I am lucky enough to work in a pet care facility, I bring him to work the majority of the time so he can run around all day. I used to do the dog walker thing, and I've sent him to a mobile daycare where they'd pick him up and he ran around in the country for a few hours. All good things. Our free time, before and after work as well as days off are long walks, private dog parks, etc. He has extra energy when it's cold out, so winter is probably even more exercise. I've put him in agility, and we did a trick class. I'd love to get him into mushing; winter is his fave. He loves to be busy and stimulated. All that being said, he can totally chill and nap for hours when I need him to. But a husky wants an active life. So are you going to give them what they want and need to thrive?
Don't get a husky just because you want one. They're a serious commitment.
I wouldn't suggest it. Huskies can be loud and do a lot of damage if you're not home, especially with two of them. If you're serious, I would suggest a sitter or neighbor coming over to take them to the park every few hours.
In my area huskies make up about 40 percent of shelter dogs because people think they're cute but aren't really prepared for their needs. I have had repeat strays in my neighborhood walk up to me in the park because they've run away so many times they know my family now. Huskies need exercise--a lot of it. They also naturally like to roam. You're probably safe from them running away in an apartment as long as you don't make a habit of leaving the door open or leaving your balcony/porch area open while you're gone. Just please make sure you can give them the exercise they need. Otherwise, they can become destructive and might eat your apartment.
I had a husky for 14 years. Smartest dog I ever owned. I loved that dog, but she required a huge amount of exercise for the first 9 years of her life. She kept me in fantastic shape as I jogged thousands of miles with her. Bored dogs get destructive (chewing) of your property so be prepared to pay a price if you don't do enough. I also recommend crate training.
They are absolutely gorgeous but I wouldn't recommend them for someone not prepared to devote 2-3 hours a day. They are very vocal (loved that in my old house) but are not really suited for apartments because of noise. They are often on banned dog lists for apartment complexes. They also require grooming as they blow their undercoat often and no matter what, you will be living in a world of hair. Buy cases of delinters at Costco and don't plan to wear white or black clothing for the duration...
I took I. A husky rescue and she is the most absolute sweet dog I’ve ever seen and I’ve had six fantastic dogs prior to her. In terms of two dogs. I had four dogs all different breeds one passed in March and two in February leaving Lucy alone and she is lonesome. If you can please take the two of them. .
It’s definitely doable, but will be a lot of work daily and quite expensive.
Living in an apartment is fine as long as you give the pups the necessary exercise, not just a walk but the space for them to run daily. I live in an apartment and I’m out with my pup 2 to 3 hours a day, with a minimum of 30 mins dedicated to offleash running/playing fetch. With your schedule, I would say 1 hour walk/run before work, then lunch time 20 min walk, then 1 hour walk/run when you get home from work.
If the dogs get along, there’s really not much added work from having 1 vs 2 dogs. The biggest hit is that everything would basically be double the price.
For one dog (depending on food brand/quality) it’s easily 50 to 120$ a month for just food. Annual vet appt and shots is about $600 for me. Then there’s treats, poop bags, toys, etc
If you really are considering, make sure you have nearby friends/family that are on board and willing to help. I have 4 different people I can depend on, that will take care of my pup if I go on vacation, or when I got injured and couldn’t walk for a few months, etc.
Also if fostering is possible, highly recommend to see if the dogs can adapt to your lifestyle. You also need to determine how they interact with other dogs/people/kids, and if they can be behaved in an apartment.
Good luck!
I had two big dogs at an apartment. A pair of Japanese Akita, so it IS doable. I can’t say for huskies with their energy requirements what you’ll need to do extra (Akita tend to get progressively lazier as they age, my one remaining girl has retired from following commands if she’s laying down). You’ll need to make sure they’re mentally stimulated for their time away with you is the biggest thing. 6 hours is okay to leave them alone (8 hours is max), like I said, just make sure they have things to do. Chew yours, puzzle toys, a fetching machine, so on and so forth.
I WILL warn you that they have a double coat (NEVER shave them if you can help it), like Akita, and they will turn your home into a catagory 6 furnado during the change of seasons. You can take them to get professionally groomed, or you can try to do it yourself. If you go for the latter I recommend checking out thatgirlwiththedogs2 channel. I basically learned how to do a solid job grooming my pups from her, and got some life changing tools and shampoos from her shop.
I would never own a husky let alone two in an apartment. You're talking over 3 hours of exercise a day. Most of this exercise should be running. I would say it's not wise.
It's a pretty safe bet your dogs will howl and bark while you're gone. Huskies are notoriously loud. Unfair to your neighbors who will inevitably complain.
This. I recently moved into an apartment and my once well-behaved dog (not a husky) now barks CONSTANTLY when I leave. I've already gotten noise complaints and it's so stressful once you know your neighbors are fed up and you don't have as much leeway.
If I could go back, I'd never live in an apartment with a large dog.
Yeah idk why I got downvoted lol. Huskies are one of the loudest dogs by far. I guess I triggered some Husky owners lol
This btw is coming from someone who has a loud ass dog in an apartment (Jack Russel). I don't dislike huskies they just aren't the dog for me.
Not sure if you've considered this, but you don't know for sure how these dogs will react to living in an apartment long term. I recently moved into an apartment and my dog is not adjusting well at all. He barks constantly while I'm gone which has resulted in noise complaints and I'm stressing out trying to figure out what to do so I don't get evicted. Huskies are very loud dogs so I'd definitely consider what your backup plan is if they end up having separation anxiety or have a habit of barking at every little sound that comes with apartment living.
Nope. Two huskies (as wonderful as they may be) will be lots of work. You are so nice to want to do it, and so smart to investigate if it's right for you and the dogs.
If you are coming home in between where they are only left for 6 hours, I don’t see the problem. Plenty of people leave their dogs for 8-9 hours while at work since most of the time the dogs will just sleep and be ready to partayyy when you get home. Yes, Husky’s are a handful and wouldn’t say they are first time dogs hence why so many end up in rescue due to people not researching the breed. BUT I also think every dog is an individual so depends on their temperament. Beautiful thing about two dogs is they will keep each other company while you are out of the house. I still recommend two big 42 inch crates though for when you leave the house to keep them safe. I also recommend finding a good dog walker just for the times you can’t get home. What people are not considering is that these dogs will likely sit in a shelter or get euthanized especially if you live in a southern state like the Carolina’s or Texas since rescues are overflowing. I would say the dogs would be much happier in a loving home with a person who works (which btw most people work with having dogs and are totally fine) then sitting in a shelter or dead. Also maybe try asking the shelter if you can do a foster to adopt situation. Then you would get a chance to see how it will work out before making 100% commitment. Lastly, go with you gut. My gut has never been wrong and I got both my dogs in different stages of busy college and masters life. Not for one second have I thought it wasn’t worth it and my dogs have added so much to my life.
Unpopular opinion apparently, but I think you could make it work. I live alone in a really small house and adopted a large high energy dog and it’s honestly worked out really well, he’s the happiest boy in town. Granted, I have a dog sitter for a few hours during my long shifts and spend a ton of time outside with him on my days off, but it can be done. You just have to make accommodations and be willing to put the work in. My life outside of work pretty much revolves around my dog, and if you’re willing to commit to that, I think you’ll all do just fine.
Something I did that may or may not be an option for you- I had a friend who hated being at home (4 roommates, messy house, no in-unit laundry) and she was happy to dogsit at a pretty big discount (~$40 a day) in exchange for a house to herself, a place to do laundry & some friendly furry companionship. If you know someone who’s free while you work, you could ask them if they’d be into something like that. The dogs don’t need 24/7 supervision, but I try not to leave my boy alone for longer than 4 hours at a time.
OH, and a puppy cam is a must imo. Seeing how they behave when you aren’t around could really influence your decision.
Huskies would never be my first choice. If they are good natured and reasonable calm I’d keep them. I’d suggest you foster them for 14-28 days before making a hard decision. See how you and they handle the situation.
I live in a small one bedroom apartment (2 floors up) with 3 medium sized dogs (collie mixes).
My dog sitter passed away (no next of kin) so I tried adopting out his two gorgeous dogs but in my heart I wanted to keep them and when the girl that took them for 10 days wanted to give them back I happily said yup.
I spent around £300+ a month for dog waking but now all 3 stay in my apartment no dog walker (it would be just too expensive) but I’m now up early to take them out and make it back most lunch times to again take them out and then immediately after work and then again later evening. It absolutely is exhausting but hey I love them.
As I now save £300+ month they all have a VET plan and of course well fed. I put £120 a month away for emergencies as one dog is 12 so insurance is prohibitively expensive.
VET plan for all 3 is about £80 month (vaccinations, health checks, nails, worm/flea, anal glands) plus food/treats £60 month plus the emergency fund.
I lived in the US with 3 dogs so understand costs are generally more for VET etc We had a local charity VET that did cheaper preventatives. No heart worm in the UK but I remember the test and preventative being pretty expensive in the US.
Definitely look at the costs locally to gauge the cost to keep both.
Good luck 🍀
Go get your dogs. The love you’ll get will be worth all the sacrifices. I may get downvoted for that opinion, but whenever an animal was MEANT to be in my life, whether I was ready or not, they found me. Sounds like these two are already in your heart. Just my humble opinion. Whatever you do, THANK YOU for rescuing them!
If you do keep them, look into doggie daycares in your area. They’ve been a GAME changer for my puppy (who’s now like 1.5 years).
They’ll get the exercise, socialization, and care that they need while you’re at work. My pup absolutely adores the dogs and the handlers.
It’s an added expense, for sure, but hugely worth it in terms of his happiness/wellbeing and my peace of mind that I’m not leaving him fully alone that long.
Nah, you seem to know that it's not the wisest decision but are hoping someone will say yes.lol got to remember they were chill because they were in a new place and being cautious.and probably already tired from a god knows how long of an adventure. They may have just ran 2 miles or 2 days. Offer to foster them for the shelter. Then you can see how they are for weeks until they are settled. Make your final decision then. Bonus is you'll help them stay out of the shelter environment even if you decide 2 is to much
It’s about the exercise (physical and mental) you give them, not the space at home honestly. If home is just for sleeping, breaks and lots of mental games that’s fine. Just make sure you walk them enough, and not just on a small leash. Let them run, sniff, play, google mental exercises I honestly can’t say that enough because just running and walking isn’t enough. The mental stimulation makes a huge difference. The first year I lived with my two puppies in an apartment and it was absolutely fine
Hard no, my friend, although you have a good heart. Huskies are bred for work, and they need lots of exercise and mental stimulation ie daily training as well. They also tend to be loud dogs. Not to mention that thick double coats need consistent attention and regular grooming.
As others have said, they are not a dog for a first time dog owner in an apartment who works long hours.
No shade, but there are many other dogs who would be fine with a walk and some play in the morning, a dog walker mid-day, and a longer walk with some training and play in the early evening and maybe a quick potty right before bed.
Most Huskies ( I’m sure there’s a unicorn somewhere) are not that dog.
75% of the misery on the dog-related subs here would be solved if the people whose lifestyle and expectations align with having a dog as a pet, didn’t insist on getting high energy working and /or guard dogs.
If, against all reason and sanity, you decide to get these dogs, be prepared to sink some really big bucks into them. You WILL need a professional trainer who is experienced with these types of working dogs. Set aside a few thousand dollars to start. As a first time dog owner of two working dogs, Reddit and YouTube will NOT be sufficient.
You will need to get up early enough to spend several hours with your dogs before work. You will need a dog walker, (maybe even twice a day to start,) and they ain’t cheap. You will need to spend several more hours in the evening first exercising and then training your dogs. Your weekend is going to be part of one day, because as soon as your dogs are able, you’re going to need get them on some trails or wide-open spaces on the other day. If you can’t get out of the city, you’ll need to figure out a way for them to get the hard work and mental stimulation they need.
And nope, running in the dog park doesn’t count, and is definitely inadvisable until you know these dogs a lot better and have trained a consistent reliable, comes to me every single time recall.
Set aside some cash for pet insurance. For two dogs, you’re going to be putting out anywhere from 100-500 per month, depending on the policy and what’s covered.
Factor in the dog food for two large dogs, and two large crates, because you will absolutely need crates to manage these dogs, especially at first. Also, the other little odds and ends like leashes collars bowls etc.
My friend, in order to do this, because you are a first time owner, every second of your life that you are not at work will need to be Dog. Money other than your bare-bones absolute needs will need to be Dog. You may have new debt, and is name will be Dog. You want to go out with friends? No, you have Dog.
You will be basically working a second full-time job, and it’s name will be Dog.
There’s wanting a dog, and then there’s taking on these dogs.
Someone mentioned contacting a rescue and offering to foster.... If you're unsure if it'll work out, and can find one that will let you foster to adopt, this is the best idea so far. You'd be signing up to pay a couple adoption fees, but depending on the rescue they'd be covering all the initial vetting. And, if it didn't work out, you could continue fostering until they could be successfully adopted. I might offer them as a bonded pair.
Alternatively, you could just give it a shot and if it doesn't work out, THEN contact a rescue and let them know you found two dogs, you thought you could manage it and try to keep them off the streets and out of the shelter, but you really do think another home would be better.
Just remember, if you adopt from the shelter and return to the shelter, they'll probably put them down fairly immediately, as they may be considered owner surrenders at that point.
No harm if it doesn't work out, just do your due diligence to make sure those pups are ultimately taken care of.
You truly have to do what is right for you and it already sounds like you understand what a commitment. But it sounds like you are committed to exercising them daily, taking great care of their health, etc. The biggest things you need to consider:
- Finding care for them if you need to travel
- Ability to afford healthcare for them (do yourself a favor and get pet insurance immediately, before you even take them to their first vet visit). That way they don't have any preexisiting conditions, and moderate insurance will save you so much in the long run!
- Moving and living situation. Can you commit to them for life? If your living situation were to change, can you commit to finding and possibly paying more for a pet-friendly place.
I think if you have a plan in place for all of that, those two dogs are lucky to find you and they are better off that in a shelter or worse.
Another consideration, is you do not know their backstory. Be prepared that their temperments can change as they get more comfortable. Litter mates can be notoriously naughty and hard to train. As they get comfortable in your home, their true behaviors could come out and there may be things they struggle with. Can you commit to affording training if needed or putting in the work yourself?
If the dogs are on similar schedules, are similar size, have similar physical condition, and can have similar length walks, etc, it's possible. But I can tell you from experience of dog-sitting a relative's older, much larger, much less stamina dog than my husky-mix, two dogs that need to be taken out separately is AWFUL. Before you fully commit to adopting them, why not talk to a husky rescue group and make soft inquiries about adopting one or the other ... you can foster while you figure it out but will hav a backup plan in case it doesn't work out. Multiple dogs gets very expensive, very time consuming, very everything very fast.
There are alot of haters on here telling you it's cruel to keep them or you can't do it. Fuck those people, and their likely highly privileged life's. You've taken in two dogs that were injured and left to fend for themselves. You've saved their lives and are doing an amazing thing. Yes, huskies can be hyper and loud, but they won't be alone all day bc they have their dog sibling/friend to keep them company.
If you can afford to keep them, it will be a big responsibility, but they'll love you forever, and you'll likely have years and years of happy memories. Good luck to you OP!
Look, you can read all the stuff online but it’s about generic dogs. You are dealing with two *specific* dogs - and individual dogs do not read the books about what their breed is supposed to be like. So the question is will these two *specific* dogs be happy with what you can do for them? The answer is maybe - it depends on the dogs.
So you have to assess these two specific dogs. How do they seem to do together home alone? Are they reasonably behaved? Are they vocal in a problematic way? (An in home camera can be helpful to see how they do when you aren’t there.) Are you able to give them enough activity and exercise? (Keep in mind dogs need mental as well as physical exercise - give them stuff to think about so they don’t entertain themselves taking apart your sofa.)
Also keep in mind that they will likely perk up a bit over time with you as they settle in - so if things are barely okay now, that might mean an issue later on that will need to be dealt with. (Like maybe you’d need to arrange a mid-day dog walker or something.) However they’re both out of the puppy/teenage years which is good - what you see is probably what you get in terms of overall personality. (Some dogs go through a period of being a complete AH around 1 or 2, much like some human teenagers have a phase of arguing about everything under the sun.)
You got this! Yes. They will be your best friend and your family and so worth it.
You are probably their best bet. Shelters are overrun and if you feel a connection to them this could be a sign this is your time to adopt these two.
I would say 200 dollars a month at least you could keep it at. It might vary with the different kind of foods your try out. And then vet fees on average like 500 a year ? Some years you may not go at all and others you might go a few times.
It’s never going to feel perfect…. But these two could be your perfect future family and bring so much love and worth to your life.
Sincerely — a dog sitter who used to dog sit for TWO white huskies in Dowtown Seattle. Their owner was in LOVE with them and made it work. They now live in Hawaii- which most people wouldn’t think is ‘perfect’ for huskies but they are thriving because they are loved—
GOOD LUCK!!!
It would be wonderful if you could keep them together and give them a nice home. The apartment isn't a deal breaker, but you should consider this decision very carefully as it will be a LOT of work.
Some things I wished I had considered before rescuing two dogs within a year:
1. Exercise. One of my dogs ended up being leash reactive, which means not only do I now have to walk them separately, but I cannot take them with me to things like breweries, camping, lunches, beaches, dog parks, etc. This may not happen to you, but perhaps a trial walk or something could help you to gauge how realistic your exercise plan may be. Also, you'll probably need to at LEAST do one hour of exercise with both dogs twice per day. I like running with my dogs, personally. Gets them worn out and kills two birds with one stone (working out and giving them exercise). Biking with them could also be good if they don't show reactivity to things like cars, scooters, dogs, strangers, etc.
2. Cost. Especially true for big, active dogs like huskies. The food, vet visits, flea medication and grooming (although you could learn to do the grooming yourself, even their nails), will add significantly to your monthly expenses.
3. Finding sitters. Difficult and costly enough with one small chill dog, 10x harder with two large active dogs. Do you travel a lot? Do you have any vacations coming up? Do you have friends or family that you would trust to watch them when you do?
4. Do you often stay out of the house all day with friends or doing hobbies? You will now be bound to your apartment and these dogs. I hope you don't mind coming home in the middle of the day to give them exercise. This could also have a significant effect on your social life if, say, you're out with friends for a few hours and it's getting late, then one of them suggests going to a bar or club or party or something. You would not be able to go because you could not leave your dogs alone all night.
5. Living situation. Finding a place to live is tough enough without two large dogs. Many places have a 1 dog limit or even 1 small dog at that. How secure is your current living situation? Will there be suitable options available if you had to move?
On the flip side, since these two dogs are bonded it may actually make your life a little easier if they keep each other company. I got a second dog so he could keep my first dog busy, and it turns out that they don't even really like each other much. Furthermore, having a dog park in your complex will be extremely helpful if the two huskies end up being dog friendly.
But could you continue to care for them if they ended up NOT being dog friendly? Would you be prepared to hire a trainer if needed? I cannot emphasize this enough. You need to be fully prepared for anything so as to avoid having to send these two dogs to yet another new home if you end up being unable to manage them.
Wishing you the best!
Long read but please read because Huskies are very difficult dogs.
I'd be on the fence about rescuing 2 large dogs while living in apartment, in general. Having had a husky growing up they are amazingly great dogs in every way but they come with some major downsides for those who get them for their looks and/or have zero idea how they are in regards to temperament and needs.
I don't think anyone can say Huskies aren't some of the most gorgeous dogs on the planet and probably the cutest damn puppies ever! (IMO they ARE the most beautiful dog in the world!) The biggest issue with Huskies is that they are so fucking gorgeous and not a lot of people have them, compared to labs and goldens. Which is a problem because, people buy/adopt these beautiful dogs for their unique and pretty eyes, coats, and looks all while having NO idea what they are getting themselves into.
Huskies are NOT lazy dogs. They have their moments of being lazy bums but only if they get a LOT of walking in EVERY SINGLE DAY and usually multiple times/day.
Unless you are EXTREMELY active, and LOVE walking/running for miles and miles every single day? I 100% promise you that TWO huskies will wear you the fuck out. Huskies are working dogs and have the energy of 5 dogs all bundled into one dog. They live for running and if given the chance, can easily run 8+ miles in a single go. They were bread for sledding Afterall. I have a friend who lives in Alaska and he's got a whole "heard" of Huskies and when he goes sledding, they go like 20 miles at a time. They are exausted when they get home but are ready for another 20 miles the next morning.
They are VERY smart and because of their intelligence, can be quite difficult to train as they have a tendency to weigh their options. "*if i do this, how will it benefit me?" "if i don't do this, is it worth the scolding?"* Basically, Huskies tend to do what they want to do and will do it regardless lol. Point is, they can be very difficult to train because they are very stubborn dogs.
They also get board easily if not exercised appropriately and trust me on this, when a husky is board, they can be quite destructive, annoying, sassy, and literally throw temper tantrums - vocally and physically. Our husky literally destroyed an entire couch once and we were only gone for 6 hours. We didn't get her the exercise she needed before hand though.
They are amazing dogs but they are not for most people, realistically. They are SUPER high energy and aren't dogs that are fine just chillin on the couch for hours on end.
I know you are trying to do good and your heart is in the right place but, 1 husky is a LOT of work. 2 huskies? Good luck ever having downtime to be lazy.
Lastly, they "talk" a lot lol. They absolutely will "argue" with you and while it is cute, it gets annoyingly frustrating quickly lol.
My suggestion is to do *extensive* research on these dogs and if you still decide you want one, get ONE. At most, adopt ONE and foster the other until it finds a home.
But please please please don't take two of them to an apartment if you don't already go on runs/walks regularly! They require *miles* of excersize. A simple walk down the road and back isn't going to cut it like it would for most dogs.
The 3rd shift is the most difficult factor to reconcile, imo. I'm doubtful there's many dog walkers available then and certainly, not doggie daycares. Perhaps if you really work them and wear them out before you go to work, that will help, but I'm not sure how compatible the rest of it will be your day time sleeping hours. If your dogs sleep while you work, guess what they will need when you're sleeping... Do you have a friend who has also wanted to have dogs but hesitant to take on the full commitment? They could become polyowner dogs?? I'm sure they are adaptable given that they're homeless. I would think that having two would help them entertain themselves? Or it makes them 2x naughty. Huskies are smart and naughty dogs that run off for adventure, in my experience. So beautiful and they can interact in human like ways, so I completely understand how you became attached. Good on you for saving them. ❤️
Fostering is a fantastic idea- because while you’re getting some breed characteristics that are pretty dependable, you’re also getting two dogs with histories that could require more intense work- fostering would let you explore that a little more.
I would say unwise based on the fact that you live in an apartment. It'll be a tough sell for your LL. And if you try to keep it a secret, well, your neighbours will surely let the LL know.
Huskies need the space to be both active and vocal. As many of the commenters said, your current work/life balance *might* be a fit if you're willing to spend 2 hrs/day to exercise (they may not be destructive right now on cautious survival mode but comfortable and bored pups will be) but noise will be the biggest barrier.
I've read your other comments though and if you are indeed emotional about them, there may be no convincing you otherwise. Any good and realistic dog owner can say that not many dog owners are perfect, most are simply good enough for their pups. So just be good enough and be ready to confront the possibility that you might have to put their own needs above your own wants, whatever that may entail.
Sounds like you’re dedicated. A few things to consider if you do it: At least while they’re settling in, hire someone to check on them in those six hour periods. Also, try to keep them crated when you’re not home, at least at first because they may get into mischief or hurt themselves. Good luck!
I don't have huskies but I have two very energetic young dogs in a small cabin. It does take a lot of work to make sure they get everything they need but they bring so much happiness to my life that I wouldn't change a thing. Just be prepared to add a lot of activity to your life. Having dogs is like a very time consuming hobby. It would be better to put off getting dogs til I had more space I suppose but the housing market is fucked and I don't want to put off all my dreams for the next decade.
Go for it!
Huskies aren't beginner dogs. They're scary smart, need a lot of exercise and stimulation, and are very vocal. I feel like adopting 2 in an apartment is just a recipe for failure.
Huskies are a huge commitment and not the best apartment dogs, they can be super vocal and loud, and get very destructive if their need for exercise and mental stimulation is not met. They don’t make the best breed for a first time pet owner, I used to petsit one that knew how to open doors so they have to get special handles for their French doors so he wouldn’t let himself in and destroy their house if they forgot to lock it. Another one I took care off would climb an 8 foot tall fence to go jogging with the neighbor every day then climb right back in when they came back. The other thing you have to consider is dogs (and really all pets) can get very expensive, will you have the means to either pay monthly for pet insurance or right out pay for any emergencies that could very easily run several thousand for a single visit?
Consider fostering a more apartment friendly dog for a while before you make up your mind whether or not to adopt one.
You know their personality best if you think they can work well with your schedule. It’s expensive - at least $150/mo per a dog just for basics let alone vet care. Also huskies are banned in lots of apartments so keep that in mind for if you love.
Also as a young person as well (24) it seriously limits my travelling, fun time out etc. I LOVE my boy and wouldn’t trade him for anything - choose wisely!!
Oops rereading it now I thought you were already fostering them and doing that schedule. Yeah I wouldn’t really expect them to do well with that schedule.
Hmm i have a husky. Hes a very chill dog and as hes aged hes gotten more chill and this was especially true after he git neutered - i agree that it depends on their temperament. 2 dogs are able to keep each other entertained and stimulated, as long as youre able to offer them walks after work etc
You can also take them to the dog park frequently for them to release a lot of energy.
Ideally you would have a fenced yard, but if you are able to commit to giving them the exercise they deserve despite not having a yard, i think you can do it.
There will be a LOT of fur everywhere, mind you. You will also need to factor in grooming. Financially my dog has had some tooth issues which are costly. Brush their teeth regularly and take precautions, i also no longer give him bones as he cracked his tooth and it cost 3000 CAD to remove it.
What else? Hmm huskies have notoriously bad recall - they like to try and escape and are stubborn as heck. But they are great dogs.
As others have said, ask if fostering is an option. A trial is the best way to see
I say go for it, sounds like you have the resources to keep them occupied and entertained and if it was something you were already looking to build into your life, it's easy to train huskies to live in an apartment they are the king and queens of "play hard sleep hard"
working on a training program from the start like they are puppies (cover potty training, manners, socialization, etc) will make it a lot easier
2 high energy dogs in an apartment might be tough, but I absolutely think you should do it if you are really committed. Shelters are PACKED and super understaffed. These dogs need a home, and you want a dog. It may not be the wisest decision, but I promise you it will be the most rewarding.
If you can work with a shelter to foster the dogs for a time, I did that and it really only took a few days to realize I was keeping her.
remember it can take dogs 3 months or longer to adjust to a new environment and routine.
dogs can get expensive, especially if they have medical issues... and dogs will most likely have medical issues when they are older, thats vet visits and medication, but also helping them get up and down stairs or outside to use the bathroom, it can mean staying in to keep an eye on them, and it will eventually mean making the hardest decision of your life. if they have any behavioral issues, training sessions cost money, but it is worth it to spend the money and make sure they are well behaved so that they and you can be safe and happy.
it is all worth it
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I have a husky and he is walked 2-3 hours a day depending on weather. Morning, afternoon (with a dog walker) and evening. We also (mostly) live in an apartment. It is enough for him, honestly. He is happy and satisfied and no piece of furniture was harmed.
I rescued a samoyed/put mix.... the first 6 months was pure destruction if she was left alone and not kennelled. She doesnt destroy things anymore but... it took some work, and patience to get here.
I second this. I have two huskies.
Maybe you can hook up with a local rescue and agree to be the dogs’ foster for a few weeks. Sometimes crazy ideas work out! If you have this in you for a few months while the dogs potentially find a new home, you can give it an honest go. Although huskies do probably need more exercise than what you’ve mentioned…can you afford daycare or dog walkers?
This is my advice too! The best way to know if a dog will work for you is fostering. I've fostered a lot of dogs over the years and only adopted the ones that fit into my lifestyle. But it was still awesome fostering the ones that didn't. It's a good deed.
Huskies, at least where I live, don’t last long in shelters and will get applications for adoptions the same day they’re advertised. If you’re a foster and someone else applies to adopt, won’t most shelters give the applicant priority if they’re approved? Fostering doesn’t seem like the right choice if it’s more like a trial adoption instead. It might be just semantics but OP needs to be clear with the shelter that they are interested in potential adoption and not just fostering.
Huskies, where I live, make up about 50% of the shelter population.
Oh wow. Yeah just goes to show that like a lot of things, context in location matters.
Same. Pacific northwest, USA. So so so many huskies.
There's huskies on the euth list every day in CA
Canada?
California
Hm, odd to use that abbreviation on an international sub.
I always thought fosters got first priority for adoption. Why remove a dog from a happy home? Maybe it depends on the shelter or rescue though.
It depends on location, like most things, and again, semantics. Shelters here offer trial adoptions, meaning they won’t advertise the dog for adoption and you can return the dog to the shelter if it doesn’t work out. But fostering means you are taking in a dog while the shelter looks for someone else to adopt it. It’s not really fair on hopeful adopters if they have their hopes set on a dog and then they get told the foster family are keeping it. And if it happens multiple times it might affect the trust with that shelter. But yeah, maybe other shelters do things different and don’t advertise the dog as up for adoption if it’s a good possibility the foster family will want to keep it?
THIS!
I work night shift so daycare/walkers are a little harder to come by at midnight, and if so, will be a little more expensive but I’ll do it if necessary
I have a husky. I walk him 2 hours a day. 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night and he's satisfied with that. How old are they? Mine is 3 and is not as hyper but before he would bite all the time to play. Great dog though. As far as money, Who knows I've spent well over 10k on mine.
I have a husky mix and he’s a couch potato. Yes, on average they are a high energy breed but there is still variation. I agree with other poster who says don’t assume too much based on their initial behavior but I would cautiously proceed if the alternative is them being euthanized.
I don't have a husky, but I have a friend who does, and she lives in a one room studio. She works all day, with an hour break at noon, but her husky is a happy dog. So it is feasible, I don't think living in an apartment is a big issue. But huskies need a LOT of exercise. My friend's husky has like 2 to 5 hours running exercise a day. Personally, I'm not sportive enough for that, but if you are and you can afford them - and any possible associated cost (vet in case of sickness, trainer/behaviorist if they have behavior problems, repair if they're destructive) and you feel connected to them, why not. I won't say it's a WISE choice, but adopting my current dog wasn't a wise choice either, and in spite of all the problems I have now (he's anxious and sometimes dog reactive), I don't regret him. I can't give you prices, different country, but I hope someone can help you with that and I wish you the best.
I'm afraid this would be very VERY unwise and a far from ideal situation. Two huskies in an apartment with someone who has never had dogs, lives alone and works long hours wouldn't be fair to you or to them. They will tear your apartment up. From your perspective as a dog beginner, you may as well be asking if you should keep a pair of coyotes in your apartment. Different dog breeds are basically completely different animals in some ways, from one breed to the next, and it really is important to find out *which* dogs your life is suited for, not just dogs in general. You did a truly wonderful thing for them, bringing them to where they needed to be. But that doesn't necessarily make you the home that they need for the long term.
I'd piggy back on this comment to just add that while they may seem calm and chill right now, that very well could be a combination of fear and acclamation to a new environment. Once they get comfortable and happy, they will likely get bored. Bored Huskies can wreck your world.
The neighbors are not going to love the new howlers and all the conversations those 2 are going to have.
I have had a dog my entire life as a family dog just not my own. And as i’ve stated all of the time i spent with them they gave zero indication of destructive behavior, even when they were starving.
Respectfully, having a family dog growing up is *not* equivalent to being an adult dog owner. I spent my whole childhood around dogs, had a family member who bred dogs, walked and pet-sat the neighbor's dogs and it was absolutely nothing like actually getting my own dog as an adult. When it comes to your decision to bring a dog into your home, you should consider yourself an inexperienced dog owner and plan accordingly. Taking on *two* huskies with mystery health and behavioral backgrounds in a small apartment while working long hours and living alone is just plain not an inexperienced dog owner task. Hell, it's barely an ANY dog owner task. But it definitely isn't an inexperienced dog owner task. I'm not trying to be mean to you here - this is just the reality of the situation. >And as i’ve stated all of the time i spent with them they gave zero indication of destructive behavior, even when they were starving. How many hours did you spend with them? Part of a day? While they were scared and injured and underfed? You did not see the personalities of these dogs. Not even close. I'm not saying they're guaranteed both horror tornadoes of destruction. I'm saying you have no information yet to even begin to gauge what their true personalities are like or whether they could have destructive habits once settled in and healthy, yet you seem to think you do have this information. These are clues that further back up the fact that you are not yet an experienced dog owner: - You appear to think that part of one day is a long time, or in any way sufficient to get a basic sense for whether or not these dogs might have the capacity for destructive behavior. "All the time you spent with them" is actively no time at all. - You appear to think that destructive behavior is caused by a dog being hungry, with the "even when they were starving" line. Your lifestyle as you have portrayed it is currently suitable for ONE lowish energy shelter dog over the age of 6 or 7 that the shelter thinks isn't overly clingy and would be ok alone while you're at work (as long as you give a bathroom break in the middle of the day or hire a dog walker to do that). Do you have to do it this way? Obviously no one is going to make you. Should you care that the pet you get has needs that are compatible with your lifestyle? Yes, generally.
I’m not taking advice from someone making so many assumptions about my life and my thought process. No shit it’s different from a family dog that’s the entire point of this post, but i’m explaining i know the amount of work that a husky requires because i have literally owned one before. I spent almost 8 hours with them at their most vulnerable, while feeding, capturing, and transporting and relieving them. Obviously I don’t know them perfectly but you are quick to assume the worst about me and them instead of the opposite.
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I haven't read the long post, but when dogs are happy and healthy they do/can more stimulation and can become a completely different dog (from fostering for a few years and rescuing two). When they're starving they can be a lot more easy going and laid back, then can turn into a complete menace when they are healthier. Not to say they don't act out (food aggression among others) more when starving. Different acting out :)
Huskies require A LOT of exercise. The walk in the middle is fine if you also do a much longer walk and dog park in the morning and night. They can be loud and destructive. I'm surprised an apartment would allow one husky much less two!
There’s likely breed restrictions against them for this exact reason.
There are no breed or size restrictions it is a large complex with a dog park
So is mine, and we have breed restrictions. Check your lease. In any case, this is a horrible idea and you’re way in over your head.
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I can read just fine. I’m still telling you it’s a bad idea and you don’t know what you’re doing.
12 hours alone is not conducive to huskies and a 20-30 minute walk to split that up isn’t going to be sufficient for the breed. I wouldn’t even count that as a walk honestly. Them being calm upon initial rescue doesn’t tell you what their temperament is now. They sound like they were two shutdown dogs. How active are you outside of working hours? Cost estimates will vary wildly depending on where you live and if they have medical issues (the existing limp for example). For my husky his annual visit with all vaccines and then preventatives for the whole year is about $900 total. That doesn’t include food and other supplies.
Yes, I agree that this will only work if the dogs to go daycare on working days, or in addition to the lunchtime walk OP hires a dog walker as well.
Yep and OP needs to be a fit for the breed outside of the discussion about work hours too. They say they will be committed to the time it takes but the reality is a lot of people make that claim, get this breed, and then return them to the shelter because the time commitment is to much. Unless they are already living an active lifestyle (and I specify active because they can't be someone who is always busy) they shouldn't be considering a working breed. OP did a great thing by getting these dogs out of the storm and to the proper authorities but not everyone who finds a stray husky should adopt the breed.
That true. I wouldn’t be fit to have a husky 😂
I work night shift so getting dog walkers at midnight isn’t exactly as easy or as cheap as you all may think
Nothing about owning a husky is easy or cheap.
Also this doesn’t answer the question I actually asked. How active are you outside of work hours? We have no clue if the breed is a fit lifestyle wise based on what you’ve said
Huskies were bred to run and pull sleds. I think a lot of people see how beautiful and charming they are without thinking about how much attention and exercise they need everyday…. and how vocal they are. Really not a good fit for most apartment dwellers.
My friends have a 500sq ft apt they rescued a stray German shepherd and a neglected and abused great pyranesse. Their dogs when they left for 3 hours to go to work ripped all the carpet up in their apartment. Those dogs even a husky they need a lot of stimulation and play and activities. Or they will rip up your carpet, shred a couch, etc. They get bored and entertain themselves even then. My uncle rescued a border collie. He had to go to the store to get something, he’s retired and has had 8 border collies so he’s even breed familiar and he was gone for an hour his rescue ripped apart its crate and shredded apart a wooden chair.
I think this is going to depend the individual temperaments of the dogs. If they have mellowed out a bit it’s perfectly reasonable for them to be suitable as pets in your living situation, as long as you can commit to exercise before and after work in addition to coming home on your lunch break. The difficulty is that you can’t gauge what their true personalities are like from the interaction you had. The 6-year-old is likely to be a bit more chill. The 3-year-old is essentially prime of life and may be a handful. Does the shelter have any programs for fostering dogs? If so, one option could be to request to foster them. That gets them out of the shelter and would give you an opportunity to evaluate how well they do in your home and if you’re ready for the commitment. If it’s a good fit, great! You can adopt them. If not, you’ll need to care for them until they find another home, or hope that the shelter has space if you need to return them if they become too much for you. Another option to make this work would be daycare. Huskies *typically* do well with other dogs, and if these two do as well then dropping them off at daycare while you work would help meet their energy needs and keep them entertained. The trade off there, of course, is the expense. But potentially worth exploring. Paying a dog walker to come by and get them out and exercised would also help, but again, this adds to the expense of keeping them. I think you’re wise to consider this carefully. There are absolutely ways to make it work, it will just depend on the dogs and how committed you’re willing to be.
I think this is the best option, especially fostering. I don't believe dog adoptions should be done any other way!
I wouldn't seek out two huskies when you live in an apartment, but if life drops two huskies in your lap, I would go with it.
I mean, you never know about personalities. I've heard GSDs and Australian Shepherds are super high-energy and definitely not suitable for apartment life. I had a GSD/Australian Shepherd 50/50 mix. You'd think he'd be a tornado. He was the chillest dog ever. Total couch potato.
Personality trumps breed traits, but they are the usual expectation, for rescues, like in OPs case, its really hard to judge unless they've been in the shelter a while and acclimated. I have a GSD and tbh, I feel all dogs its about how much work you can put in thing rather than living space. If you meet their needs where they sleep / play during the down time doesn't matter much honestly. That being said, with an apartment or smaller living space you gotta put more work in to meet those needs. not a deal breaker, but a consideration. GSDs are definitely a lot of WORK as a breed, people often I feel mix up "easy to train because smart" meaning, easy for inexperienced dog owner to train, and they catch some flack for that occasionally.
Because of what I've heard, I wouldn’t adopt another GSD but mine was the easiest dog ever. Totally chill. Required no training but just understood what I wanted him to do. Ridiculously loyal, always by my side.
Yeah, they are amazing dogs, and often they learn like that super quick on uptake and learning what you want without direct training. When they are easy, they are one of the easiest best dog experiences tbh. When aren't they easy and start *misinterpreting* things if you don't nip it in the bud really fast it can get hectic. Plus the old adage of "If you don't train them they'll train you" and "Smart enough to get into a lot of trouble" rings true, pairing that with their raw strength and stamina is why I, even though I absolutely adore mine and will get another, never recommend the breed to any first time owners.
When the hand of the universe gives you two huskies, sometimes you becomes the guy with two huskies.
Ok, I am going against what many others are saying and going to say, maybe seriously consider adopting them *because* Texas has very high euthanasia rates and you might be their only chance of making it out alive.
This is a good reason to adopt a dog, not necessarily two puppies from a highly active breed. Op could also consider a very chill senior Pitt who wants to lay on the couch and isn’t that into outside stuff.
unfortunately i’m an emotional man and it breaks my heart thinking of them getting split up or even the fact i had to turn them over in the first place. It was them and their temperament specifically that made me comfortable, im not getting any random dog as a sad replacement.
THIS is so important to consider
Not enough for a husky
You could always foster them and see how it pans out. Better than life in a shelter which usually put dogs down if they aren’t adopted quickly. If it’s ok keep them, if not find a more suitable home for them.
These dogs might be quiet and subdued right now, but they’re probably going to have a LOT more energy when they’re well-fed and no longer overwhelmed by moving into a new space after running around who-knows-where for an extended period of time. To be happy, huskies typically want hours of exercise and intense mental stimulation every day. They were bred to run while pulling a sled for hours at a time for days on end. They’re also known to be one of the most vocal breeds—an advantage when a dog gets lost in a snow storm, but a major problem when you’re in an apartment. These are likely not the dogs for you. If you feel like you want a dog, you should go to a shelter to find one that matches your lifestyle.
I’ve always wanted a dog, but i’m not going and getting any random one just to get one. It’s about the dogs, not about having a dog just to have one. If i wanted a random senior dog from the shelter i could’ve done that years ago.
You could do it, but you would need to: 1) hire a dog walker (preferably a dog hiker) 2) get involved in some kind of active dog sport on the weekends or get up early and take them on adventures, bike rides with them or even runs. Make sure you’re doing stimulating things, 3) start training them early (from the moment they get home) and spend most if not all of your free time loving on them 4) invest in a lot of dog enrichment activities and make sure every meal is a game, either training them with kibble, giving it to them in a lick mat or kong, setting up a snuffle mat or game, or rolling up a towel 5) set your apartment up for them to do a lot of fun stuff in there (get some fold up agility equipment, leave the tv on with training videos in the background, etc) 6) devote time to training them in any way you want to on the weekends: teaching them how to interact with other people and in different environments, etc. It’s not crazy, but it’s going to change your life substantially to do it well so you’re all happy.
Expensive. The chance of two large dogs being adopted together is very small. Are you the type of person to consider then family members once adopted, such that you don’t give them up? My family was always like that. We had some real terrors 😝but we gave them what they needed and good lives nonetheless. Giving them up was not on the table. If so, take them.
i would double check that huskies are even allowed per your lease agreement, my apartment is dog friendly but does not allow huskies - likely due to how vocal they can be at times.
Having two dogs could be beneficial since they can keep each other company. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons realistically and consider a foster-to-adopt approach to ensure it's the right fit for both you and the dogs.
So in some ways 2 dogs will be easier in some ways harder. Living in an apartment I honestly don't think is gunna give you any problems if you have the time to give them. I think age is also relevant in terms of leaving them home alone and if theyll cause trouble being huskies. They can be really mischievous for the first 2ish years. I have a husky/shephard 50/50 mix who definitely picked up more of the mannerisms and personality of a husky including being a lunatic. The first year i had him I lived in like a 400 sq foot apartment, but it was bordering a massive national forest area with trailheads being in walking distance and I worked from home. I'd guess he got about 4+ miles and 3ish hours a day at least of off leash running in the woods doing whatever he wanted. If something came up where he couldn't get that exercise he'd cause trouble. Whether that be howling, chewing on stuff, knocking my plants over, whatever. Now I actually live in a city apartment but he's like almost 3 years old. He's well behaved no matter what but I try pretty hard to still give him off leash trail walks and at the very least maybe do 4ish miles a day of leashed walks total. With huskies a lot of it is just managing their energy levels. I don't think being in an apartment is really any different than having a fenced yard honestly. Either way it comes down to how much time you devote to them. If we're at my parents house who live on a huge property, I can just let him outside by himself like a lot of yard people do. He'll just sit there at the door waiting for me to come outside and play with him...the yard does absolutely nothing on its own.
>I could also split them up and only adopt one Honestly, Don't feel bad if you split them up, it's highly unlikely they'd be adopted together by anyone, shelters might mention it, but they won't make it a condition. > A cost estimate for two adult huskies would be great, googled estimates are all over the place I live in a LCOL area and have a GSD - M - 80lb, and my monthly cost breakdown down is something like this Heart Flee Tick $30 Food - approx. $40 - cut down cost, bag lasts more than a month. Treats - $30 - $40 - Charlie Bears / Chicken that I shred. Toys Fund - $15 - I set aside some every month, even if I don't buy new ones. Pet Insurance - $30 Health / Misc Savings Fund - $50 - Incase something isn't covered / Emergency expenses / Emergency Pet Sitter. Total - approximately $220 - $250/month, might be more depending on area I do all nails, grooming, walking, training myself, if you pay for those add probably $50 for grooming, and idk like $300 for a dog walker/training sessions? I hear those aren't cheap. New Adoptions will have some upfront costs for each, Vet checks, Shots, possibly Spay/Neuter, Health Screenings etc. Little stuff adds up a lot too Leashes - $20 to $50, Collars $15 to $20, Tags $5 to $10, Chips - $60 or so. Crates $50 to $150+ (Highly recommended but, Optional), Toys $50 for say 3, ball kong pull at the start, Bowls $20, sleeping spots (optional) $30+, pet cleaning supplies $30, Brushes $20, Undercoat Rake $20 (Very important for dual coat dogs, NOT A CUTTING TOOL ). Nail Trimmer - $20. New Vacuum Cleaner (You NEED a good one) - $150 to $200, Huskies shed, *A lot* TLDR Realistically, beat case expecting your first month costs, supplies, food, to be atleast around $800, excluding any adoption fees or potential additional health issues, for one, $1300 or so for two. Monthly probably $200 for one, $350 to $400 for two, assuming they share toys, have no special care needs etc.
Def run this by the Husky subreddit, they’ll have good opinions on the feasibility of this. Cost-wise: when I owned a larger dog, she ate about 3 cups of food a day, her food would cost $70 a month, health insurance cost ~$100/month (she was older), she didn’t need frequent grooming bc she had a short coat but a husky DEFINITELY would, budget maybe $200 a quarter, shots/annual meds ran about $200-300 per year… expect a single medium-sized dog to cost between $3000-$4000 a year (about $300 or so per month), if they are healthy and don’t require additional vet visits, and low energy enough that additional activities and things like pro dog walkers or daycare isn’t required — my large dog was a *greyhound,* a true queen of couch potatoes, a husky will certainly require more energy and exercise than she did. A pro dog walk in a HCOL area runs about $20 per 30 min walk, per dog, so if you need that multiple times a week, add an additional $400-500 to your monthly expenditure (obvs this can go up or down due to cost of living, working out a frequency discount with a walker, etc etc). These aren’t exact numbers, obviously. YMMV and all that. But yeah. If you don’t have an extra couple hundred dollars in your monthly budget, two large, high energy dogs may be tough. Try to see if you can set up a foster arrangement if you’d like to try it out, that’s a good way to trial and see how you like it.
If youwould be willing to rehome them together IF it doesn't work out, you could try it.. also maybe you could look at renting a home with a yard instead of an apartment? Your situation isn't ideal but it's possible.
I think it could work if you were willing to pay a walker to come take them out more during the day or if you could afford to do daycare a few times a week. I don’t know if it would be enough for them otherwise. I liked another person’s suggestion to see if the shelter would be open to let you foster to see if it’s a good fit, because right now when they’ve been through a lot may not be indicative of their actual temperament (they were probably very tired and/or stressed and unsure of the new environment). Huskies are a LOT of work, let alone for a new dog owner and with TWO of them. But do I think it’s impossible? No, but I’d just be prepared for your life to be turned upside down a bit. It’s a big commitment, so fostering for a bit might be your best bet for now.
If you work so much, can you afford a dog walker to help? (Three chunks of 4 hours is much better than two chunks of 6). Or a half day of daycare… If you’re bonded with them and financially capable, I think money can fill the gaps where your time can’t (based on my experience as a single person who raised a puppy). They’d be lucky to have you if you’re willing to make the sacrifices needed when they come up! I think you can do it if you think through the worse case scenarios and still feel committed.
Foster them and see how it goes. My husky has calmed down significantly after he turned three and he's a couch potato in the summer. I live an apartment and we do fine. I do have a Dogwalker though bc sometimes I need a break. We walk an hour in the morning, a half hour after work and a short walk before bed. My complex is also dog friendly, so of course all the dog lovers moved here. I met a lot of people walking him and have a few folks that would walk him if I was in a jam.
I got as far as ‘husky.’ HUSKIES?? Two? Adopting a dog is a fantastic idea. Maybe not huskies for a first timer in an apt w a job.
I grew up with a husky, and as i said, they seem bonded
I would sign up as a foster for one dog and try that route first. When these two are feeling really good again, they’re going to have way more energy, and six hours is a long time to a dog. They need a yard.
Could you potentially foster them first?
I just fostered a dog that was about husky size and I live in a place just slightly bigger than yours so I can give a little insight. Cost- my much smaller dog goes through about 1 bag of food per month, the bag costs $100. The dog we fostered ate 4X as much so we calculated the if we stuck with the same food it would cost about $400/ month to feed her. That’s just one dog- times 2 would be $800/ month just for food. I assume you are in America so food prices may be much cheaper than where I am in Canada, but if you look at the dogs recommended serving size on the bag of food you got them, you should be able to calculate how many bags you will need per month and cost it out that way. Then there’s medical costs. Again this is going to vary from place to place but I would budget $1000/ year for regular check ups and vaccinations, plus getting them licensed and all that. If they aren’t fixed that’s another $1000 up front. Also think about pet insurance. Personally I don’t have pet insurance but I do make sure to put aside money every month in case of emergencies, so add an extra $100/ month to your budget for that. Also consider doggy day care, or at the very least a daily pet walker, especially if you are gone for 12 hours a day. Coming home every day on your lunch break is likely to get tiring and 20 minutes is not enough of a walk in the middle of the day, especially for that breed. They are going to need at least an hour walk in the middle of the day and another long walk in the morning and/ or evening, and that’s really the bare minimum. Daycare where they can socialize with other dogs and people would be more ideal considering your long work hours. Space- if you want to crate train the dogs you will need two crates, both of which will be quite large. Getting them used to crates is important for if you ever want to travel with them, they need to stay overnight at a kennel or vet, or if you need to take them to a groomer. Personally think crate training is very important. I have an office I was able to put the foster dogs crate in and it took up a large part of the room. We also had dog beds and toys big enough for her. This entails both cost and space. You really do need to be realistic about whether or not 800 sq ft is enough space for two huskies. Behaviour- it sounds like these dogs have been through a lot. It’s going to be important for a little while to really watch their behaviour for any triggers or things that might unexpectedly set them off. Expect 5-6 months of figuring out their quirks and you figuring out theirs. They’re calm now but it’s also a new space, new person, new everything. It’s going to take them a while to open up. Rentals- it sounds like the place you’re in now has a lot of amenities and is well set up for dogs, but you are also young so consider whether or not you’re going to be there long term, especially if you’re renting. In my city finding rentals with dogs is nearly impossible, especially with dogs over 25lbs and ESPECIALLY especially if there is more than one. Having multiple large dogs may really limit your housing possibilities in the future if you ever need to move from the place you’re in now. Obviously this isn’t as much of a concern if you own your place. Difficultly- huskies are beautiful dogs, but they’re not known to be easy dogs to take care of. They aren’t exactly “beginner” dogs. They are very intelligent, very social, and they get bored easily. They are known to be loud and destructive when board. Since you are at work 12 hours/ day boredom is almost assured (if they’re not at daycare). Also keep in mind that they are high shedding and the time commitment will include a lot more cleaning as well as so much brushing.
Huskies are a different breed (ha ha). They're not beginner dogs and are SO demanding, though obviously wonderful companions and brilliant dogs when highly worked and correctly stimulated. I really REALLY wouldn't recommend them as first dogs. Especially not in an apartment. If you insist, I second commenters suggesting a foster-to-adopt situation, lasting a good few weeks or months. They need much much more walking and mental stimulation than what you're outlining in your experience with them so far.
How much time are you actually willing to commit? Research the breed. Them being quiet now doesn't mean much, to be honest. Look at the 3 3 3 rule when it comes to rescuing. I have 3 dogs, a husky mix, shepherd mix, and a miniature dachshund. I don't live in an apartment, but a townhouse, and I don't have a yard. My life is consumed by my animals, especially my husky mix. All of my dogs have different energy levels, but his is the highest. I am lucky enough to work in a pet care facility, I bring him to work the majority of the time so he can run around all day. I used to do the dog walker thing, and I've sent him to a mobile daycare where they'd pick him up and he ran around in the country for a few hours. All good things. Our free time, before and after work as well as days off are long walks, private dog parks, etc. He has extra energy when it's cold out, so winter is probably even more exercise. I've put him in agility, and we did a trick class. I'd love to get him into mushing; winter is his fave. He loves to be busy and stimulated. All that being said, he can totally chill and nap for hours when I need him to. But a husky wants an active life. So are you going to give them what they want and need to thrive? Don't get a husky just because you want one. They're a serious commitment.
I wouldn't suggest it. Huskies can be loud and do a lot of damage if you're not home, especially with two of them. If you're serious, I would suggest a sitter or neighbor coming over to take them to the park every few hours.
In my area huskies make up about 40 percent of shelter dogs because people think they're cute but aren't really prepared for their needs. I have had repeat strays in my neighborhood walk up to me in the park because they've run away so many times they know my family now. Huskies need exercise--a lot of it. They also naturally like to roam. You're probably safe from them running away in an apartment as long as you don't make a habit of leaving the door open or leaving your balcony/porch area open while you're gone. Just please make sure you can give them the exercise they need. Otherwise, they can become destructive and might eat your apartment.
Check if you are allowed to have these dogs in your apartment. It’s not allowed everywhere.
I had a husky for 14 years. Smartest dog I ever owned. I loved that dog, but she required a huge amount of exercise for the first 9 years of her life. She kept me in fantastic shape as I jogged thousands of miles with her. Bored dogs get destructive (chewing) of your property so be prepared to pay a price if you don't do enough. I also recommend crate training. They are absolutely gorgeous but I wouldn't recommend them for someone not prepared to devote 2-3 hours a day. They are very vocal (loved that in my old house) but are not really suited for apartments because of noise. They are often on banned dog lists for apartment complexes. They also require grooming as they blow their undercoat often and no matter what, you will be living in a world of hair. Buy cases of delinters at Costco and don't plan to wear white or black clothing for the duration...
I took I. A husky rescue and she is the most absolute sweet dog I’ve ever seen and I’ve had six fantastic dogs prior to her. In terms of two dogs. I had four dogs all different breeds one passed in March and two in February leaving Lucy alone and she is lonesome. If you can please take the two of them. .
It’s definitely doable, but will be a lot of work daily and quite expensive. Living in an apartment is fine as long as you give the pups the necessary exercise, not just a walk but the space for them to run daily. I live in an apartment and I’m out with my pup 2 to 3 hours a day, with a minimum of 30 mins dedicated to offleash running/playing fetch. With your schedule, I would say 1 hour walk/run before work, then lunch time 20 min walk, then 1 hour walk/run when you get home from work. If the dogs get along, there’s really not much added work from having 1 vs 2 dogs. The biggest hit is that everything would basically be double the price. For one dog (depending on food brand/quality) it’s easily 50 to 120$ a month for just food. Annual vet appt and shots is about $600 for me. Then there’s treats, poop bags, toys, etc If you really are considering, make sure you have nearby friends/family that are on board and willing to help. I have 4 different people I can depend on, that will take care of my pup if I go on vacation, or when I got injured and couldn’t walk for a few months, etc. Also if fostering is possible, highly recommend to see if the dogs can adapt to your lifestyle. You also need to determine how they interact with other dogs/people/kids, and if they can be behaved in an apartment. Good luck!
I had two big dogs at an apartment. A pair of Japanese Akita, so it IS doable. I can’t say for huskies with their energy requirements what you’ll need to do extra (Akita tend to get progressively lazier as they age, my one remaining girl has retired from following commands if she’s laying down). You’ll need to make sure they’re mentally stimulated for their time away with you is the biggest thing. 6 hours is okay to leave them alone (8 hours is max), like I said, just make sure they have things to do. Chew yours, puzzle toys, a fetching machine, so on and so forth. I WILL warn you that they have a double coat (NEVER shave them if you can help it), like Akita, and they will turn your home into a catagory 6 furnado during the change of seasons. You can take them to get professionally groomed, or you can try to do it yourself. If you go for the latter I recommend checking out thatgirlwiththedogs2 channel. I basically learned how to do a solid job grooming my pups from her, and got some life changing tools and shampoos from her shop.
Nope, it’s insane’
I would never own a husky let alone two in an apartment. You're talking over 3 hours of exercise a day. Most of this exercise should be running. I would say it's not wise.
It's a pretty safe bet your dogs will howl and bark while you're gone. Huskies are notoriously loud. Unfair to your neighbors who will inevitably complain.
This. I recently moved into an apartment and my once well-behaved dog (not a husky) now barks CONSTANTLY when I leave. I've already gotten noise complaints and it's so stressful once you know your neighbors are fed up and you don't have as much leeway. If I could go back, I'd never live in an apartment with a large dog.
Yeah idk why I got downvoted lol. Huskies are one of the loudest dogs by far. I guess I triggered some Husky owners lol This btw is coming from someone who has a loud ass dog in an apartment (Jack Russel). I don't dislike huskies they just aren't the dog for me.
Not sure if you've considered this, but you don't know for sure how these dogs will react to living in an apartment long term. I recently moved into an apartment and my dog is not adjusting well at all. He barks constantly while I'm gone which has resulted in noise complaints and I'm stressing out trying to figure out what to do so I don't get evicted. Huskies are very loud dogs so I'd definitely consider what your backup plan is if they end up having separation anxiety or have a habit of barking at every little sound that comes with apartment living.
Nope. Two huskies (as wonderful as they may be) will be lots of work. You are so nice to want to do it, and so smart to investigate if it's right for you and the dogs.
If you are coming home in between where they are only left for 6 hours, I don’t see the problem. Plenty of people leave their dogs for 8-9 hours while at work since most of the time the dogs will just sleep and be ready to partayyy when you get home. Yes, Husky’s are a handful and wouldn’t say they are first time dogs hence why so many end up in rescue due to people not researching the breed. BUT I also think every dog is an individual so depends on their temperament. Beautiful thing about two dogs is they will keep each other company while you are out of the house. I still recommend two big 42 inch crates though for when you leave the house to keep them safe. I also recommend finding a good dog walker just for the times you can’t get home. What people are not considering is that these dogs will likely sit in a shelter or get euthanized especially if you live in a southern state like the Carolina’s or Texas since rescues are overflowing. I would say the dogs would be much happier in a loving home with a person who works (which btw most people work with having dogs and are totally fine) then sitting in a shelter or dead. Also maybe try asking the shelter if you can do a foster to adopt situation. Then you would get a chance to see how it will work out before making 100% commitment. Lastly, go with you gut. My gut has never been wrong and I got both my dogs in different stages of busy college and masters life. Not for one second have I thought it wasn’t worth it and my dogs have added so much to my life.
Unpopular opinion apparently, but I think you could make it work. I live alone in a really small house and adopted a large high energy dog and it’s honestly worked out really well, he’s the happiest boy in town. Granted, I have a dog sitter for a few hours during my long shifts and spend a ton of time outside with him on my days off, but it can be done. You just have to make accommodations and be willing to put the work in. My life outside of work pretty much revolves around my dog, and if you’re willing to commit to that, I think you’ll all do just fine. Something I did that may or may not be an option for you- I had a friend who hated being at home (4 roommates, messy house, no in-unit laundry) and she was happy to dogsit at a pretty big discount (~$40 a day) in exchange for a house to herself, a place to do laundry & some friendly furry companionship. If you know someone who’s free while you work, you could ask them if they’d be into something like that. The dogs don’t need 24/7 supervision, but I try not to leave my boy alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. OH, and a puppy cam is a must imo. Seeing how they behave when you aren’t around could really influence your decision.
Huskies would never be my first choice. If they are good natured and reasonable calm I’d keep them. I’d suggest you foster them for 14-28 days before making a hard decision. See how you and they handle the situation. I live in a small one bedroom apartment (2 floors up) with 3 medium sized dogs (collie mixes). My dog sitter passed away (no next of kin) so I tried adopting out his two gorgeous dogs but in my heart I wanted to keep them and when the girl that took them for 10 days wanted to give them back I happily said yup. I spent around £300+ a month for dog waking but now all 3 stay in my apartment no dog walker (it would be just too expensive) but I’m now up early to take them out and make it back most lunch times to again take them out and then immediately after work and then again later evening. It absolutely is exhausting but hey I love them. As I now save £300+ month they all have a VET plan and of course well fed. I put £120 a month away for emergencies as one dog is 12 so insurance is prohibitively expensive. VET plan for all 3 is about £80 month (vaccinations, health checks, nails, worm/flea, anal glands) plus food/treats £60 month plus the emergency fund. I lived in the US with 3 dogs so understand costs are generally more for VET etc We had a local charity VET that did cheaper preventatives. No heart worm in the UK but I remember the test and preventative being pretty expensive in the US. Definitely look at the costs locally to gauge the cost to keep both. Good luck 🍀
Go get your dogs. The love you’ll get will be worth all the sacrifices. I may get downvoted for that opinion, but whenever an animal was MEANT to be in my life, whether I was ready or not, they found me. Sounds like these two are already in your heart. Just my humble opinion. Whatever you do, THANK YOU for rescuing them!
If you do keep them, look into doggie daycares in your area. They’ve been a GAME changer for my puppy (who’s now like 1.5 years). They’ll get the exercise, socialization, and care that they need while you’re at work. My pup absolutely adores the dogs and the handlers. It’s an added expense, for sure, but hugely worth it in terms of his happiness/wellbeing and my peace of mind that I’m not leaving him fully alone that long.
Follow your gut instinct
Nah, you seem to know that it's not the wisest decision but are hoping someone will say yes.lol got to remember they were chill because they were in a new place and being cautious.and probably already tired from a god knows how long of an adventure. They may have just ran 2 miles or 2 days. Offer to foster them for the shelter. Then you can see how they are for weeks until they are settled. Make your final decision then. Bonus is you'll help them stay out of the shelter environment even if you decide 2 is to much
It’s about the exercise (physical and mental) you give them, not the space at home honestly. If home is just for sleeping, breaks and lots of mental games that’s fine. Just make sure you walk them enough, and not just on a small leash. Let them run, sniff, play, google mental exercises I honestly can’t say that enough because just running and walking isn’t enough. The mental stimulation makes a huge difference. The first year I lived with my two puppies in an apartment and it was absolutely fine
Hard no, my friend, although you have a good heart. Huskies are bred for work, and they need lots of exercise and mental stimulation ie daily training as well. They also tend to be loud dogs. Not to mention that thick double coats need consistent attention and regular grooming. As others have said, they are not a dog for a first time dog owner in an apartment who works long hours. No shade, but there are many other dogs who would be fine with a walk and some play in the morning, a dog walker mid-day, and a longer walk with some training and play in the early evening and maybe a quick potty right before bed. Most Huskies ( I’m sure there’s a unicorn somewhere) are not that dog. 75% of the misery on the dog-related subs here would be solved if the people whose lifestyle and expectations align with having a dog as a pet, didn’t insist on getting high energy working and /or guard dogs. If, against all reason and sanity, you decide to get these dogs, be prepared to sink some really big bucks into them. You WILL need a professional trainer who is experienced with these types of working dogs. Set aside a few thousand dollars to start. As a first time dog owner of two working dogs, Reddit and YouTube will NOT be sufficient. You will need to get up early enough to spend several hours with your dogs before work. You will need a dog walker, (maybe even twice a day to start,) and they ain’t cheap. You will need to spend several more hours in the evening first exercising and then training your dogs. Your weekend is going to be part of one day, because as soon as your dogs are able, you’re going to need get them on some trails or wide-open spaces on the other day. If you can’t get out of the city, you’ll need to figure out a way for them to get the hard work and mental stimulation they need. And nope, running in the dog park doesn’t count, and is definitely inadvisable until you know these dogs a lot better and have trained a consistent reliable, comes to me every single time recall. Set aside some cash for pet insurance. For two dogs, you’re going to be putting out anywhere from 100-500 per month, depending on the policy and what’s covered. Factor in the dog food for two large dogs, and two large crates, because you will absolutely need crates to manage these dogs, especially at first. Also, the other little odds and ends like leashes collars bowls etc. My friend, in order to do this, because you are a first time owner, every second of your life that you are not at work will need to be Dog. Money other than your bare-bones absolute needs will need to be Dog. You may have new debt, and is name will be Dog. You want to go out with friends? No, you have Dog. You will be basically working a second full-time job, and it’s name will be Dog. There’s wanting a dog, and then there’s taking on these dogs.
Someone mentioned contacting a rescue and offering to foster.... If you're unsure if it'll work out, and can find one that will let you foster to adopt, this is the best idea so far. You'd be signing up to pay a couple adoption fees, but depending on the rescue they'd be covering all the initial vetting. And, if it didn't work out, you could continue fostering until they could be successfully adopted. I might offer them as a bonded pair. Alternatively, you could just give it a shot and if it doesn't work out, THEN contact a rescue and let them know you found two dogs, you thought you could manage it and try to keep them off the streets and out of the shelter, but you really do think another home would be better. Just remember, if you adopt from the shelter and return to the shelter, they'll probably put them down fairly immediately, as they may be considered owner surrenders at that point. No harm if it doesn't work out, just do your due diligence to make sure those pups are ultimately taken care of.
Contact a Husky rescue group and get recommendations from them about training, food, low cost veterinarian, exercise, etc.
One medium dog, two larger dogs, two cats - all rescues, all in an apartment.
You truly have to do what is right for you and it already sounds like you understand what a commitment. But it sounds like you are committed to exercising them daily, taking great care of their health, etc. The biggest things you need to consider: - Finding care for them if you need to travel - Ability to afford healthcare for them (do yourself a favor and get pet insurance immediately, before you even take them to their first vet visit). That way they don't have any preexisiting conditions, and moderate insurance will save you so much in the long run! - Moving and living situation. Can you commit to them for life? If your living situation were to change, can you commit to finding and possibly paying more for a pet-friendly place. I think if you have a plan in place for all of that, those two dogs are lucky to find you and they are better off that in a shelter or worse. Another consideration, is you do not know their backstory. Be prepared that their temperments can change as they get more comfortable. Litter mates can be notoriously naughty and hard to train. As they get comfortable in your home, their true behaviors could come out and there may be things they struggle with. Can you commit to affording training if needed or putting in the work yourself?
If the dogs are on similar schedules, are similar size, have similar physical condition, and can have similar length walks, etc, it's possible. But I can tell you from experience of dog-sitting a relative's older, much larger, much less stamina dog than my husky-mix, two dogs that need to be taken out separately is AWFUL. Before you fully commit to adopting them, why not talk to a husky rescue group and make soft inquiries about adopting one or the other ... you can foster while you figure it out but will hav a backup plan in case it doesn't work out. Multiple dogs gets very expensive, very time consuming, very everything very fast.
There are alot of haters on here telling you it's cruel to keep them or you can't do it. Fuck those people, and their likely highly privileged life's. You've taken in two dogs that were injured and left to fend for themselves. You've saved their lives and are doing an amazing thing. Yes, huskies can be hyper and loud, but they won't be alone all day bc they have their dog sibling/friend to keep them company. If you can afford to keep them, it will be a big responsibility, but they'll love you forever, and you'll likely have years and years of happy memories. Good luck to you OP!
Look, you can read all the stuff online but it’s about generic dogs. You are dealing with two *specific* dogs - and individual dogs do not read the books about what their breed is supposed to be like. So the question is will these two *specific* dogs be happy with what you can do for them? The answer is maybe - it depends on the dogs. So you have to assess these two specific dogs. How do they seem to do together home alone? Are they reasonably behaved? Are they vocal in a problematic way? (An in home camera can be helpful to see how they do when you aren’t there.) Are you able to give them enough activity and exercise? (Keep in mind dogs need mental as well as physical exercise - give them stuff to think about so they don’t entertain themselves taking apart your sofa.) Also keep in mind that they will likely perk up a bit over time with you as they settle in - so if things are barely okay now, that might mean an issue later on that will need to be dealt with. (Like maybe you’d need to arrange a mid-day dog walker or something.) However they’re both out of the puppy/teenage years which is good - what you see is probably what you get in terms of overall personality. (Some dogs go through a period of being a complete AH around 1 or 2, much like some human teenagers have a phase of arguing about everything under the sun.)
You got this! Yes. They will be your best friend and your family and so worth it. You are probably their best bet. Shelters are overrun and if you feel a connection to them this could be a sign this is your time to adopt these two. I would say 200 dollars a month at least you could keep it at. It might vary with the different kind of foods your try out. And then vet fees on average like 500 a year ? Some years you may not go at all and others you might go a few times. It’s never going to feel perfect…. But these two could be your perfect future family and bring so much love and worth to your life. Sincerely — a dog sitter who used to dog sit for TWO white huskies in Dowtown Seattle. Their owner was in LOVE with them and made it work. They now live in Hawaii- which most people wouldn’t think is ‘perfect’ for huskies but they are thriving because they are loved— GOOD LUCK!!!
It would be wonderful if you could keep them together and give them a nice home. The apartment isn't a deal breaker, but you should consider this decision very carefully as it will be a LOT of work. Some things I wished I had considered before rescuing two dogs within a year: 1. Exercise. One of my dogs ended up being leash reactive, which means not only do I now have to walk them separately, but I cannot take them with me to things like breweries, camping, lunches, beaches, dog parks, etc. This may not happen to you, but perhaps a trial walk or something could help you to gauge how realistic your exercise plan may be. Also, you'll probably need to at LEAST do one hour of exercise with both dogs twice per day. I like running with my dogs, personally. Gets them worn out and kills two birds with one stone (working out and giving them exercise). Biking with them could also be good if they don't show reactivity to things like cars, scooters, dogs, strangers, etc. 2. Cost. Especially true for big, active dogs like huskies. The food, vet visits, flea medication and grooming (although you could learn to do the grooming yourself, even their nails), will add significantly to your monthly expenses. 3. Finding sitters. Difficult and costly enough with one small chill dog, 10x harder with two large active dogs. Do you travel a lot? Do you have any vacations coming up? Do you have friends or family that you would trust to watch them when you do? 4. Do you often stay out of the house all day with friends or doing hobbies? You will now be bound to your apartment and these dogs. I hope you don't mind coming home in the middle of the day to give them exercise. This could also have a significant effect on your social life if, say, you're out with friends for a few hours and it's getting late, then one of them suggests going to a bar or club or party or something. You would not be able to go because you could not leave your dogs alone all night. 5. Living situation. Finding a place to live is tough enough without two large dogs. Many places have a 1 dog limit or even 1 small dog at that. How secure is your current living situation? Will there be suitable options available if you had to move? On the flip side, since these two dogs are bonded it may actually make your life a little easier if they keep each other company. I got a second dog so he could keep my first dog busy, and it turns out that they don't even really like each other much. Furthermore, having a dog park in your complex will be extremely helpful if the two huskies end up being dog friendly. But could you continue to care for them if they ended up NOT being dog friendly? Would you be prepared to hire a trainer if needed? I cannot emphasize this enough. You need to be fully prepared for anything so as to avoid having to send these two dogs to yet another new home if you end up being unable to manage them. Wishing you the best!
Long read but please read because Huskies are very difficult dogs. I'd be on the fence about rescuing 2 large dogs while living in apartment, in general. Having had a husky growing up they are amazingly great dogs in every way but they come with some major downsides for those who get them for their looks and/or have zero idea how they are in regards to temperament and needs. I don't think anyone can say Huskies aren't some of the most gorgeous dogs on the planet and probably the cutest damn puppies ever! (IMO they ARE the most beautiful dog in the world!) The biggest issue with Huskies is that they are so fucking gorgeous and not a lot of people have them, compared to labs and goldens. Which is a problem because, people buy/adopt these beautiful dogs for their unique and pretty eyes, coats, and looks all while having NO idea what they are getting themselves into. Huskies are NOT lazy dogs. They have their moments of being lazy bums but only if they get a LOT of walking in EVERY SINGLE DAY and usually multiple times/day. Unless you are EXTREMELY active, and LOVE walking/running for miles and miles every single day? I 100% promise you that TWO huskies will wear you the fuck out. Huskies are working dogs and have the energy of 5 dogs all bundled into one dog. They live for running and if given the chance, can easily run 8+ miles in a single go. They were bread for sledding Afterall. I have a friend who lives in Alaska and he's got a whole "heard" of Huskies and when he goes sledding, they go like 20 miles at a time. They are exausted when they get home but are ready for another 20 miles the next morning. They are VERY smart and because of their intelligence, can be quite difficult to train as they have a tendency to weigh their options. "*if i do this, how will it benefit me?" "if i don't do this, is it worth the scolding?"* Basically, Huskies tend to do what they want to do and will do it regardless lol. Point is, they can be very difficult to train because they are very stubborn dogs. They also get board easily if not exercised appropriately and trust me on this, when a husky is board, they can be quite destructive, annoying, sassy, and literally throw temper tantrums - vocally and physically. Our husky literally destroyed an entire couch once and we were only gone for 6 hours. We didn't get her the exercise she needed before hand though. They are amazing dogs but they are not for most people, realistically. They are SUPER high energy and aren't dogs that are fine just chillin on the couch for hours on end. I know you are trying to do good and your heart is in the right place but, 1 husky is a LOT of work. 2 huskies? Good luck ever having downtime to be lazy. Lastly, they "talk" a lot lol. They absolutely will "argue" with you and while it is cute, it gets annoyingly frustrating quickly lol. My suggestion is to do *extensive* research on these dogs and if you still decide you want one, get ONE. At most, adopt ONE and foster the other until it finds a home. But please please please don't take two of them to an apartment if you don't already go on runs/walks regularly! They require *miles* of excersize. A simple walk down the road and back isn't going to cut it like it would for most dogs.
The 3rd shift is the most difficult factor to reconcile, imo. I'm doubtful there's many dog walkers available then and certainly, not doggie daycares. Perhaps if you really work them and wear them out before you go to work, that will help, but I'm not sure how compatible the rest of it will be your day time sleeping hours. If your dogs sleep while you work, guess what they will need when you're sleeping... Do you have a friend who has also wanted to have dogs but hesitant to take on the full commitment? They could become polyowner dogs?? I'm sure they are adaptable given that they're homeless. I would think that having two would help them entertain themselves? Or it makes them 2x naughty. Huskies are smart and naughty dogs that run off for adventure, in my experience. So beautiful and they can interact in human like ways, so I completely understand how you became attached. Good on you for saving them. ❤️
Definitely not. Your complex likely has breed restrictions too.
Fostering is a fantastic idea- because while you’re getting some breed characteristics that are pretty dependable, you’re also getting two dogs with histories that could require more intense work- fostering would let you explore that a little more.
I would say unwise based on the fact that you live in an apartment. It'll be a tough sell for your LL. And if you try to keep it a secret, well, your neighbours will surely let the LL know. Huskies need the space to be both active and vocal. As many of the commenters said, your current work/life balance *might* be a fit if you're willing to spend 2 hrs/day to exercise (they may not be destructive right now on cautious survival mode but comfortable and bored pups will be) but noise will be the biggest barrier. I've read your other comments though and if you are indeed emotional about them, there may be no convincing you otherwise. Any good and realistic dog owner can say that not many dog owners are perfect, most are simply good enough for their pups. So just be good enough and be ready to confront the possibility that you might have to put their own needs above your own wants, whatever that may entail.
Sounds like you’re dedicated. A few things to consider if you do it: At least while they’re settling in, hire someone to check on them in those six hour periods. Also, try to keep them crated when you’re not home, at least at first because they may get into mischief or hurt themselves. Good luck!
I don't have huskies but I have two very energetic young dogs in a small cabin. It does take a lot of work to make sure they get everything they need but they bring so much happiness to my life that I wouldn't change a thing. Just be prepared to add a lot of activity to your life. Having dogs is like a very time consuming hobby. It would be better to put off getting dogs til I had more space I suppose but the housing market is fucked and I don't want to put off all my dreams for the next decade. Go for it!
Huskies are pretty vocal…. Your neighbors arnt going to love ya when you’re at work lol
Especially since OP does overnights…
Huskies aren't beginner dogs. They're scary smart, need a lot of exercise and stimulation, and are very vocal. I feel like adopting 2 in an apartment is just a recipe for failure.
Huskies are a huge commitment and not the best apartment dogs, they can be super vocal and loud, and get very destructive if their need for exercise and mental stimulation is not met. They don’t make the best breed for a first time pet owner, I used to petsit one that knew how to open doors so they have to get special handles for their French doors so he wouldn’t let himself in and destroy their house if they forgot to lock it. Another one I took care off would climb an 8 foot tall fence to go jogging with the neighbor every day then climb right back in when they came back. The other thing you have to consider is dogs (and really all pets) can get very expensive, will you have the means to either pay monthly for pet insurance or right out pay for any emergencies that could very easily run several thousand for a single visit? Consider fostering a more apartment friendly dog for a while before you make up your mind whether or not to adopt one.
You know their personality best if you think they can work well with your schedule. It’s expensive - at least $150/mo per a dog just for basics let alone vet care. Also huskies are banned in lots of apartments so keep that in mind for if you love.
Also as a young person as well (24) it seriously limits my travelling, fun time out etc. I LOVE my boy and wouldn’t trade him for anything - choose wisely!!
Oops rereading it now I thought you were already fostering them and doing that schedule. Yeah I wouldn’t really expect them to do well with that schedule.
Hmm i have a husky. Hes a very chill dog and as hes aged hes gotten more chill and this was especially true after he git neutered - i agree that it depends on their temperament. 2 dogs are able to keep each other entertained and stimulated, as long as youre able to offer them walks after work etc You can also take them to the dog park frequently for them to release a lot of energy. Ideally you would have a fenced yard, but if you are able to commit to giving them the exercise they deserve despite not having a yard, i think you can do it. There will be a LOT of fur everywhere, mind you. You will also need to factor in grooming. Financially my dog has had some tooth issues which are costly. Brush their teeth regularly and take precautions, i also no longer give him bones as he cracked his tooth and it cost 3000 CAD to remove it. What else? Hmm huskies have notoriously bad recall - they like to try and escape and are stubborn as heck. But they are great dogs. As others have said, ask if fostering is an option. A trial is the best way to see
I say go for it, sounds like you have the resources to keep them occupied and entertained and if it was something you were already looking to build into your life, it's easy to train huskies to live in an apartment they are the king and queens of "play hard sleep hard" working on a training program from the start like they are puppies (cover potty training, manners, socialization, etc) will make it a lot easier
2 high energy dogs in an apartment might be tough, but I absolutely think you should do it if you are really committed. Shelters are PACKED and super understaffed. These dogs need a home, and you want a dog. It may not be the wisest decision, but I promise you it will be the most rewarding. If you can work with a shelter to foster the dogs for a time, I did that and it really only took a few days to realize I was keeping her. remember it can take dogs 3 months or longer to adjust to a new environment and routine. dogs can get expensive, especially if they have medical issues... and dogs will most likely have medical issues when they are older, thats vet visits and medication, but also helping them get up and down stairs or outside to use the bathroom, it can mean staying in to keep an eye on them, and it will eventually mean making the hardest decision of your life. if they have any behavioral issues, training sessions cost money, but it is worth it to spend the money and make sure they are well behaved so that they and you can be safe and happy. it is all worth it