a companion

Question
Knowing that huskies are pack dogs...is it always better to give
them a companion?  we have one husky, (1/2 years old) and we
are wondering if another dog would best suit her incredible
amount of eneergy.  We were told when we got her that she
needs to be the only dog, for she loves to be the baby, but are
second guessing that opinion.  We often let her play with a
firends dog, a very large mastiff, and sthey adore each other, but
tires him out very quickly.  Are there any specific breeds of dogs
that you would recommend matching with a husky?

Answer
I'm surprised that anyone would think that a 6-month old husky should be an only dog, because they are truly pack dogs.  There are some notable exceptions to this, but often they occur after a dog has been raised as an only dog and is much older.  HOwever, Siberians are specifically bred to be dog friendly and in fact thrive on interaction - although it doesn't necessarily have to be another canine.  IN any case, they are not solitary dogs (like perhaps a German Shepherd's Dog might be).  We got our second Sibe just because our dog needed a playmate and it helped with the excess energy.  Realistically, any dog friendly breed can be a good choice, but since Huskies are known for playing hard (which is often the reason people think they need to be more solitary animals), it is necessary to find a dog that can handle intense play.  I would avoid any dog that is smaller that a husky by more than about 25%.  At the same time, you have to look for a dog that is also friendly and can handle intense play.  My ultimate suggestion - another Husky can be a perfect fit.  Other dogs that might be a match would be other Working Dogs, like Border Collies or other active breeds.

Good luck and feel free to let me know if you have any other questions or problems!