Questions About Huskys

Question
Hi my name is Amanda and my boyfriend and I adopted our first husky. Her name is Molly. She is 14 weeks old. I have a few general questions about what to do in certain situations. First, Molly always has runny stool. I am not sure if that is because we are feeding her too much or we should change her food. She is currently eating Purina One for puppies two times a day.
And, also we were thinking about breeding her. I was just wondering if you could give me as much information as you know about breeding huskies.
I really appreciate your time and knowledge. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Husky Lover

Answer
Amanda,

Personally I'm not a big fan of Purina, so I would suggest a slow transition to a different kibble.  Generally, I would head to your local pet store and check some stuff out.  Look for a food that has around 30% protein, 20% fat.  Then, look at the ingredient list and make sure that meats (chicken, fish, pork or meat) are at the top of the list.  Grains (like corn) are pretty much just indigestible fillers and do very little for the dog.  They can be in the first few ingredients, but the more meat, the better.  Then, I would suggest a slow transition in food.

As for the runny stools, it is very common in puppies.  I assume that you've been to the vet for worming shots, so that probably isn't the issue.  (If not, definitely do that!)  The other thing is that loose stools can be a sign of over-eating.  I would suggest trying to feed smaller portions and see how that goes.  You didn't mention how much you were feeding her, but generally, a cup of food at this age is about all you need. (Maybe 1.5 cups.  Of course, this assumes a kibble with a lot of fat and protein in it.)

Now, one more point is that Siberians are known for having sensitive stomachs.  One thing that some breeders suggest is adding a tablespoon of raw meat (ground beef) to the kibble.  Actually, the meat can help settle the stomach . . .  Go figure!

Try those out and let me know how that goes for the feeding.

As for breeding, I can't help there much.  To me, breeding is something I leave to people who have a lot more time and understanding of the breed to do.  The problem with working stock dogs (like Siberian Huskies) is that there is potential for problems to crop up in the breeding.  Things like CHD, PRA, stomach ulcers, blindness, plus a myriad of personality issues.  The good news is that the Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) and its membership have done a phenomenal job in keeping the integrity of the breed through selective breeding, pre-breed testing, and member education.  I'm not the biggest fan of dog shows, but actually a lot of breeders that show their dogs actually have, or do, race them as the dog was bred to do.  This knowledge and dedication has kept the integrity of the breed up over the years.  Personally, I prefer to leave it those people with more time and understanding in it.

If you are serious about getting into understanding the breeding, I would suggest contacting the SHCA and seeing if there is an established breeder who maybe can help educate you and talk to you about certain issues and concerns you might have.  Additionally, it might be a great way to find a stud dog to breed with.