Research Before You Buy!
Is a Siberian In Your Future?
As with any breed of dog, it should be a lifetime commitment, so you should first research the breed to make sure that it will fit your lifestyle. There are a number of considerations that we like to make potential puppy purchasers aware of before they 'dive in' and get a pup for which they aren't prepared. Siberians are not always the best breed for everyone! You can also check out our "Favorite Links" section for additional material.
1. Wanderer - This breed should never be trusted off-lead. They will run and they won't come back when you call them. Don't be fooled into thinking that you can train them to stay in your yard. The many people who have tried and no longer have their dogs can attest to the risk associated with this impossible task.
2. Escape Artists - Siberians need a SECURELY fenced in yard if you want to let them off a leash.
 Over - They can jump or climb most fenced in areas. Six feet is the recommended height to have. If your dog is a climber, you may need a roof for your kennel.
Under - They will also very easily dig out underneath the fence, so it is recommended that if the fence is not placed upon concrete then something should be buried along the perimeter of the fence in order to properly contain them.
Through - Leaving them in a yard or kennel unattended for great lengths is not appropriate for this breed as they are highly intelligent and they will find a way out. If the fence is made of a weak guage of chain link that isn't securely attached, they can push the fence up or chew through it. This can also occur with wood.
No other alternatives - Because they are sled pullers, tying your dog out is not appropriate as not only will they escape, other neighborhood dogs then have open access to him/her. Underground or 'invisible' fences are also not effective for this breed.
3. Gardener - They instinctively dig and will leave large holes, even trenches, throughout your yard.
4. Kirby vs. Hoover - Do you own a good vacuum? Twice a year, Siberians do what is referred to as "blowing coat" where they lose the bottom layer, or undercoat. Sometimes they will not do this during the puppy years, but once they do, it is a mess. Just a note: we only sell dogs to homes where they will be inside members of the family, so if cleaning up a lot of fur twice a year is an issue, we would suggest looking at a different breed.
5. High Voltage - This is a high energy breed, especially for the first two years of life. They are not suited for people who won't provide any exercise opportunities for the dog or leave them in a crate for long periods of time. We do recommend crate training (see the link on our 'links to information' section); however, if your work schedule has you away from the house for much more than 8 hours a day, you will come home to a very anxious puppy!
6. Who's the Boss? - Because the Siberian is a pack animal, they will establish a hierarchy, or 'pecking order' for dominance. Puppy kindergarten classes and general obedience classes are highly recommended for proper socialization and training. Consistency with training is extremely important.
7. Snack Time - This breed has a high level predatory instinct and they will hunt cats, birds, and other smaller animals. Of all of our Siberians who have been raised here, even from puppy-ages, in the company of a house cat, only one can be left in the house alone her! The rest would hunt her in an instant.
8. An Apple A Day - This is a relatively 'clean' breed in that they only have two MAIN health concerns - the hips and eyes. Hip displaysia is a problem in many moderate to larger sized dog breeds. Although the prevalence is not too high in Siberians, people should still be selective and purchase a puppy from people who have the hips checked on the parents through the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). Cataracts, corneal distrophy (CD), and some other eye defects are huge problems for the breed. People should only purchase puppies from breeders who have yearly eye exams performed on the parents by a canine opthamologist (AVCO). These health screenings can reduce the risk of purchasing an unhealthy puppy, however, it does not guarantee that problems won't occur. With this in mind, prospective owners should purchase puppies from breeders who offer a comprehensive written health guarantee. For additional considerations before purchasing a Siberian and what to look for in a breeder, explore some of the sites listed under our 'links to information' section.
