Sassenach Siberians: A Well-Bred Approach
Why a Siberian?
Siberian Huskies are a unique breed. People who have had the pleasure of sharing their lives with a Siberian Husky dog know what we mean when we say, ‘being owned by a Siberian Husky’… Please be sure to research these beautiful and devoted companions before considering one for yourself!
The Siberian Husky is an active, energetic and resilient breed whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic. A Siberian Husky puppy can be a challenging breed of dog to train due to their strong will and independent nature. Proper Siberian Husky training requires persistence and patience.
Siberian Huskies are not generally recommended for first time dog owners who are not informed and prepared, as their breed-specific traits and desire to run can sometimes be difficult for inexperienced dog owners to understand and manage.
Research before you buy! Is a Siberian in your future?
What to know about Siberian Huskies:
Siberians are not trustworthy off lead.
Siberians shed profusely twice a year.
Siberians have a high prey drive.
Siberians are escape artists.
Siberians love to dig.
Siberians require consistent training and attention.
Siberians can have a number of health problems including epilepsy, zinc deficiency, hypo-thyroidism, hip displasia, eye defects, and ectopic ureter. It is important that you purchase a Siberian from a reputable breeder.
Siberian Huskies can make wonderful companions for people who are aware of what to expect from these beautiful and intelligent animals. Although there are ‘exceptions to every rule’, there are a number of breed characteristics that are generally present among members of this arctic breed. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list, as even the top breeders in the country will tell you that they learn something new about their dogs every day!
Well Bred vs. Pure Bred: The Difference Matters
There is a difference between reputable dog breeders and backyard breeders. Knowing this difference when you are selecting a dog to purchase matters greatly. Whether you are considering a pet from Sassenach Siberians or elsewhere, we are committed to sharing this knowledge.
Reputable breeders who produce well-bred dogs always:
Do something with the dogs other than just breed them (conformation, agility, obedience, therapy, field trials, sledding, weight pulls, etc.)
Health screenings on the parents (OFA/CERF or ACVO)
Written Health Guarantee – Anything less than 36 months is a waste of time because many health problems won’t show up until after two years of age.
Extensive screening procedures for buyers and spay/neuter requirements for pets. Anyone who is in a big hurry to sell you a dog and does not ask lots of questions is not reputable. And anyone who sells dogs for breeding purposes to “just anyone”? is not reputable.
Reputable breeders do not breed for coat or eye color.
Ethical breeders take their offspring back if needed. If it isn’t the type of place you’d want your pet to go if you were incapacitated, you may want to reconsider the source.
For additional information regarding the differences between back-yard breeders and reputable breeders, or pet quality versus show quality dogs and puppies, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Our Approach
Preserving the Breed
We think it is important for people do to more than just breed their dogs. Our dogs are shown in conformation. We feel it is important for others who chose to breed their dogs to participate in some sort of competitive activity with their dogs in an attempt to give something back to this wonderful breed, and truly learn and apply the breed standard.
Purchasing Process
The purchaser must be educated about the breed.
Siberians are not the best breed for everyone. Our breed characteristics page is a good place to start:
Pet puppies must be spayed/neutered before registration papers will be forwarded.
We are very proud of both the quality our dogs, and the quality of the homes into which they are placed. We place our pet pups only with loving, caring families that have been educated about all aspects of the breed. Potential buyers must be willing to train and take responsibility for their puppy, and provide a clean, happy, healthy and permanent home, preferably with a securely fenced yard. All family members must be in agreement about the decision to adopt a puppy and adhere to our purchasing policies. Above all, the puppy must be a part of the family and be treated accordingly.
We’re happy to provide any advice and support that may be needed as you adjust to life with your new family member, and we enjoy staying in touch with our pups and their new families. We require that pet owners update us at least once per year on progress and any health or behavioral concerns, preferably with pictures.
We sincerely hope that all of our puppy placements are permanent, but in the unfortunate event that the new owners are unable to keep it, we require that the dog/puppy be returned to us at the owner’s expense, or that we assist in finding a suitable home. If a home is available with a friend or a family member, that would be alright as long as we’re informed of the transfer. However, dogs/puppies should not be re-sold or surrendered to an animal shelter.
Health and Wellbeing
The health and well-being of our dogs is very important to us. Our dogs are regularly examined by our veterinarian, and receive OFA hip screenings around two years of age, ACVO/CERF eye screenings typically on an annual basis, and show no signs of hereditary disorders. Thyroid panels are periodically performed, though usually not necessary. Genetic testing is done to rule out Polyneuropathy and Shaking Puppy Syndrome. From time to time, we’ve gotten dogs older than 2 years, upon which hip screenings may not yet have been performed; however, in those cases, they will get done, and their backgrounds and production records will have been clear of any indications of HD.
OFFA Website
Bringing Your New Pet Home
Puppies are generally sold around 8-9 weeks of age. The earliest, by law, that they can leave is 8 weeks. However, we may hold them until 10-12 weeks if we are evaluating show quality or if there is a possible health concern.
Ready to chat about your new Siberian?
Why do we start with a getting to know you call?
Connecting with potential buyers allows us to make sure our prospective homes are aligned with the needs and requirements that Siberian Huskies bring. After our call, if we believe you are a good fit we will discuss next steps and provide you with an application.