a husky for me?

Question
Hi
I have not decided fully to get a dog right now nor have I setteled on a Siberian husky But am am hopeing you can help me decide if this breed would fit into my lifestyle.
I work and I work a lot 5-6 days a week 5-9 hours a day, I have a lab retreiver now and she gets along fine with my shedual. I would offer the husky the same as i offer my lab a walk in the morning 20-30 minutes/2K and the same in the evening. I would walk the dog in all weather except thunder storms. I want a indoor/outdoor dog that can be kicked out and spend some time in a kennel or yard while I'm cleaning the house or just want some peace, The dog would always spend the night Inside in the warmth of the house and would *NEVER be expected to stay outside during seaver weather(too hot/too cold/rain ect). This dog would on occassion be ran or jogged with but walked mostly. I am looking for a dog that is an all around breed...can be expected to be active when I am, can be calm and sit at your feet when required is smart but doesnt have to know rocket science, can be loving and a good companion without being overly clingy(can be left when I go to work) and likes other dogs do you think a siberian husky would fit into my lifestyle?
Thank you for any advice or reccomendations.

Answer
Of course every individual dog is different, but as a breed, here are some important traits about a Siberian Husky that you should keep in mind:

1) They are an active breed.  (The best of them run sled races that can cover 20-100 miles in a day!)  They were bred to run, and to pull, and they love doing just that.

2) They are a social breed.  They were bred to thrive on social interaction, canine or human alike, they are rather indiscrimanate, but definitely need social interaction.  They can be left alone for a bit, but they do much better the more integrated they are into a "pack" (canine and human is often the best).

3) They were bred to be disobedient.  They are an extremely intelligent breed and from what I have seen, I would argue they are close in intelligence to some of the "top" breeds (like Border Collies for example), but they have no desire to "please" humans.

4) They are master escape artists with little to no homing instinct (meaning containment often involves more than what you might find with a Lab/Retriever mix.


Dogs as a whole will adapt to your lifestyle, but they also have certain innate traits that are difficult to work with.  Two walks with no running might be enough for the dog, but might not.  They can't be counted on to be calm and sit at your feet, but then again, my two are laying next to the couch right now - sound asleep.  As a whole, Sibes are much "needier" than the normal Lab or Retriever, but are also more independent.  From what you are saying, I would be a little concerned about the amount of exercise and the training (as it is hard to get them to be obedient and calm), but at the same time, if you are willing to adapt, it could be a very enjoyable addition to the family.