Husky and bunny

[snowfallwolf]

We might be getting a husky who is about one year old and maybe obedient. We currently have a bunny who is about 1 3/4 years old, whose name is Thomasina. she loves to run around and is we leave the fence open, she will hop out in a few minutes. Is we get the husky, I researched and now know that they tend to run after anything that runs away (is this true?) Apparently, our bunny sometimes bolts after we do something sudden, like open the door (she once slammed into the garage door), or spray the hose (she bolted around the house). If the husky was here, he/she will most likely bolt after it. Thomasina currently lives in the enclosed fence area with guinea pigs that she tolerates. The husky lives in a house with one or two cats, and I think they get along. I want to try to get each animal (bunny and husky)acquainted. The bunny will stay in the enclosure with guinea pigs or in the garage while she can, with the dog maybe in the house. We sometimes allow the bunny to come in on certain days. I’m worried that if Thomasina sees the husky, she might panic and run away. Any suggestions?

[LittlePuffyTail]

My only experience with huskies was through a friend who had several. I don’t really know much about huskies but hers were well-trained around humans and were used for breeding and dog sledding. However, they were absolute terrors around other animals. Her neighbor had a sheltie that came around once and got too close to one of them and the husky tore her tail right off. And they also killed several barn cats. Because of this, I would never trust them with a prey animal like a rabbit, but, like I said, this is just my one experience.

[MeketatenBun]

My brother has a husky, Meeshka, that he’s been bringing over to my parents’ (where Meki lives) for the past three years now. Meeshka is very obedient, listens to every command my brother gives her, but give her the chance to even see some kind of woodland critter, a chipmunk, bunny, bird, etc, ZOOM. She’s after it. I don’t think she’s hunting, she seems to think it’s a game and would probably try playing, but for that reason I NEVER introduced Meki and Meeshka and never plan to. Even just through a closed door I can hear Meki thump in her cage if Meeshka’s outside of it.

Honestly, huskies aren’t hounds or anything that’s bred to hunt, but they’re still dogs. I know Meeshka would probably want to play, but I’ve also known a husky who killed and ate a wild rabbit in its yard on Easter morning, effectively ruining the whole Easter Bunny thing. And that’s on top of knowing that Meki would probably be so upset and a dog running after her, to play or not, that she’s stress herself to death.

Some people successfully bond dogs and rabbits. A husky and a rabbit who didn’t know each other from a very young age isn’t a bond I would recommend trying.

[Frodo Baggins]

I agree with the others that most huskies would not do well with small animals. I have known some huskies that love with cats and they get along well. Howver in those cases the cats cam first and the introductions went extremely slowly. If this happens I would definitely work with a trainer (both for obedience, and the best way to introduce the animals). Like any intro dog should be exercised well before any work. Crate her when no one is there to supervise interactions. A husky will be big enough to knock/jump over any fence that would contain the pigs and your bun.

You can even use a muzzle on the dog and have her on leash for interactions as an extra safety measure. Teach her what is okay and whats not. Though hopefully it already lives peacefully with cats (no chasing, respecting them, so on) you will maybe have an easier time. Good luck!

[MoxieMeadows]

I have a pure bred male (fixed since a puppy) husky. He turned 5 in Jan. He has not “mellowed” out with age and is still as hyper as ever. I would NEVER trust him near my bun, Moxie. He is fine around our 2 cats and my other small dog (mini dachshund around 7 pounds), but they are also “predators” and are not scared of him and were introduced to him before he was 1. (If anything HE is afraid of 1 of our cats who will “put him in his place” with a scratch on the nose)

Although he is fine with our cats and dog, he would not hesitate to chase/kill any small loose animal. He likes to go after birds. A few days ago he actually chased a loose cat who thankfully got away. Huskies are HIGH prey drive. I personally would not risk it. Also, he could be fine one minute and then not another. If he suddenly gets a prey drive kick it only takes 5 seconds.

If you do get a husky I would *Personally* keep the separated. Good luck.

[Elliriyanna]

something to remember about huskies … They are a primative breed. I work with a seppala sled dog … Which is basically a husky but from the working, not show lines.

They dart after anything that moves, often times they don’t think before they act, Instincts come first, Some have zero sense of personal boundaries ( not good with a scared bunny)

I personally would not let one around my bunny. but they are still good dogs… just not around prey animals.

[k8mccart]

Huskies are, like Elliriyanna said, a primitive breed of dog. This means they are much more closely related to wolves DNA wise than say a poodle. Due to this, huskies are notoriously dangerous to pray animals, including cats. To them, it’s instinct and not something that you can train out of them. There are absolutely other dogs who can be introduced to bunnies (while being watched, never alone) and will be fine, but a husky is not a breed I would trust even in the company of people. They are also quite intelligent and can learn to open cages.

I wouldn’t do it personally.

[MoxieMeadows]

Huskies are very intelligent. Mine can unlock his cage.

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