# just met a neighbor's shiba inu - petstore dog! I had no idea anybody in my neighborhood had one. Then I was getting back into my car after stopping home for lunch, and this lady goes walking by with a B&T shiba in toe. I didn't ask his name, but he was very pleased to meet me. Received his pettins with obvious eagerness and enjoyment. Then I pa… ## Thread In Shiba Inu · started by Kenshi · 56 replies - **Category:** [Shiba Inu](https://nihonken.org/community/c/shiba-inu) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## Kenshi · 2009-02-23T18:34:32.000Z I had no idea anybody in my neighborhood had one. Then I was getting back into my car after stopping home for lunch, and this lady goes walking by with a B&T shiba in toe. I didn't ask his name, but he was very pleased to meet me. Received his pettins with obvious eagerness and enjoyment. Then I patted him on the side and commented that he was a big guy - I don't think he was too chunky, he was just barrel-shaped, and his fur was puffy - and he threw his head back and snuffed at me. She said she got him from the pet store! In the mall! I was like WHAAAATT...! Actually I didn't preach or anything, she admitted she got him from the petstore but was kind of embarassed about it, like she knew it was kinda wrong to give pet stores your business, but when it came down to day-to-day life she seemed pretty happy with her dog. And he really seemed like a nice dog. So there you have it! ## lepercann · 2009-02-25T15:42:26.000Z I know most, if not all pet store dogs are from puppy mills. Triton's original owners told us that he was a pet store dog, and "poorly bred". Jerks. We love him no matter what. He does have luxating patella though, and it is congenital. I was looking at rescues last night online and so many of the puppy mill rescues are physical and emotional disasters. 4 yr old female with Stage 4 lux patella in both rear knees, etc. I feel terrible that puppy mills exist and I think they should all be shut down. If only I were the president..... ## Calia · 2009-02-25T15:56:47.000Z It would be great if everyone can create a petition to send to the president and explain how much the country could save when the rate of abandoned animals drops. I wish dog breeding was a mix between exotic/deadly animal keeping (permit required to do), and restaurant health inspections (get annually inspected by a reputable official and must pass in order to remain in business). ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-25T16:32:50.000Z Puppy Mills are a tragedy and the President does have a unique opportunity to educate America on how to go about getting a dog...seeing as how they are in the process of doing just that. Amazingly, I have been quite happy to see the discussion/debate over the new WH dog...because they have discussed rescue vs. breeder....designer vs. purebred, etc. Although, I do feel sorry for whichever breed he chooses...we all know what will follow. Here in Washington State, officialls shut down 3 puppy mills in my county (confiscating about 600 dogs!!). As a result, a bill (Senate Bill 5651) has been introduced: Prohibits possession of more than 25 breeding dogs at one time; establishes welfare standards for people with more than 10 breeding dogs, including space, exercise, housing facilities, access to food and water, vet care; authorizes investigations at breeding facilities. (Note: by exercise, they merely suggest at minimum 1hr per day)... While it doesn't go far enough, IMHO, it's a start and better than nothing. The Humane Society also provides a link where you can contact your elected officials regarding pet welfare and encourage stronger protections for animals and stiffer penalties against Puppy MIlls. http://community.hsus.org/humane/leg-lookup/search.html ## Calia · 2009-02-25T16:58:39.000Z Darwin: was there any mention about how they would enforce the welfare standards, or is it going to be one of those things where nothing happens unless the person is found out. ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-25T17:26:36.000Z Sadly, unless someone complains they probably won't be found...although, agencies can now institute their own investigations as well. I think it's a step in the right direction...but this particular bill does not address "retail stores, groomers, boarding facilities, etc."...I'd like to see pet stores denied the ability to sell cats/dogs outright. Here's the actual Bill...makes for interesting reading: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Senate Bills/5651.pdf ## Kenshi · 2009-02-25T17:32:11.000Z This lady seemed sort of pre-defensive when she told me she got her dog from the pet store: "...actually, I got him at the pet store in the mall." As though she had gotten a lecture or was savvy enough to know that the general consensus is that pet stores are bad. But even if I was the type to say something to a stranger about something like that after the deed had been done, that dog was just so cute, I couldn't possibly have said anything bad about him! That's the thing about pet stores and puppy mills. When you consider the big picture, puppy mills are evil and the pet stores that provide a retail front for them are also doing a bad thing by bringing unsustainable volumes of dogs into the world and enabling irresponsible experiments in dog-human pack formation. But when it comes down to brass tacks - PUPPIES, people. How are you supposed to stay fired up about a cause when they are throwing cute puppies at you?? ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-25T17:52:10.000Z Makes me think of Cesar...hate the deed, not the breed...or in this case, hate the deed not that cute adorable fluff of fur with a twinkle in his eye! ## Calia · 2009-02-25T18:38:59.000Z It is a very interesting act, even though I can figure out quite a few loopholes, but something like this looks like it can greatly affect the dog profit world. I can see it affecting dog race tracks, and being another thing to use against dog fight supporters and hoarders. The thing I don't like is it doesn't really give super much for puppies under 4 months, plus the amount of puppies aren't limited. I can have 1 dog and 24 nursing bitches with at least 2 puppies each, which would make a minimum of 73 dogs on the premises. And since there isn't too much written about regulating space given to a puppy, I could could just dump the pups in a pen and start over. Other than that, it sounds like a pretty good start. ## Zinja · 2009-02-25T18:46:11.000Z I met up with someone who just got a Siberian Husky puppy a few days ago... they did not know anything about this breed... they have two toy Aussies in an apartment and now brought in the puppy. People at the dog park was asking questions about Sibes and I answered them for the owners because they didn't know the answers. I left to let Sasuke go potty and came back with the owners to hear that the reason why they got a Siberian Husky was to keep the toy Aussies protected as well as the owners. They also compared his final size to a Golden Retriever that must have been 80lbsish and other facts that were incorrect. I bit my lip and continued on my merry way instead of lecturing them. ## Calia · 2009-02-25T18:53:38.000Z OMG Joe...I'm picturing Tikaani being a guard dog right now, poor thing backs down whenever a chihuahua challenges him. It's so common that people thing Sibes are going to be bigger than what they really are. Everyone keeps telling us that Tikaani is going to be 100+ lbs, scaring the bejebus out of my mom who only likes 30lbs and under breeds. ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-25T19:00:19.000Z Using a Husky as a guard dog??? ROFLMAO!! ## Edgewood · 2009-02-25T22:16:23.000Z "Using a Husky as a guard dog??? ROFLMAO!! " Yep, really funny, eh? My Siberians totally were NOT guard dogs. They didn't even bark. At least my Shikoku barks on occassion (but still really isn't a good guard dog). ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-25T22:23:39.000Z I had a husky, who would gladly allow a burglar in, if the burglar would help fascilitate her escape! Come to think of it...she didn't bark much, except when she saw dogs running behind the fence...and I swear, she was saying, "I'll pay you ten milk bones if you tell me how you got out!". ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2009-02-26T00:05:19.000Z My gorky totally would have killed...by holding the person down and licking them to death. He was abnormally large tho. ## wliu003 · 2009-02-26T00:21:13.000Z well not all of them are bad... BUT i know of many dogs from those puppy mills that have extremely poor temperaments. i might have just preached... but that is just me. ## wliu003 · 2009-02-26T00:26:14.000Z edgewood, darwin67 - Anyways, my roommates husky is the nicest dog ever. He plays with everyone. One time the cable guy came in from the back and we were afraid the husky would attack him but when we went outside Ace was licking him like crazy. =p ## Darwin67 · 2009-02-26T00:59:14.000Z Wliu, LOL!!! That's why I love Huskies, they really are good natured dogs...I think of them as the perpetual snowboard dudes of the dog world; tons of energy, lots of play, and a whole lot of gettin along! ## KFontaine04 · 2009-02-26T10:16:41.000Z My two female huskies were 40lbs and 60lbs. They barked when someone came to the house, but were all licks and happiness when people came in. They would "alert" me, but defanatley not guard. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2009-02-26T11:52:16.000Z The only huskies I have known have been in the shelter. As I am sure the husky owners of the forum can attest, huskies do NOT do well in shelter environments. So my experiences have been anything but positive. In fact some of you may recall, last year I was attacked by a husky who attempted to rip my throat out... But of course, I also understand that this was not really the huskies fault. ## brandon_w (admin) · 2009-02-26T11:55:28.000Z Huskies are always a mess at the shelter. Jessica I hope you can meet someone in your area with a sweet husky, so that you can have positive experiences. Such awesome dogs. ## KFontaine04 · 2009-02-26T11:57:12.000Z Huskies have very interesting personalities. They have traits in them that make them not do well in shelters, rescues (even foster homes they have a hard time with), apartments where they never go outside, or really in any confined space. Both my huskies were rescues with horrible food/treat/toy aggression. My right hand has a few "dimples" from husky teeth from the first couple of months of having them. But after some good training and understanding we figured it out. I wonder if these traits develop if you get them as puppies or if it is just from being rescued/sheltered? ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2009-02-26T12:08:29.000Z You know what Brandon, for some reason your post reminded me of a girl I met once who had a Husky although way bigger and fluffier than any other husky I have ever seen, named Niko. Niko was totally buds with Moto, and very nice. ## Kenshi · 2009-02-26T12:14:09.000Z From what I have read and heard, primitive breed dogs that aren't given the opportunity for a positive lifelong bond starting out as a puppy are just going to have issues. ## Leonberger (admin) · 2009-02-26T12:33:28.000Z Trying to get a Husky to guard is like trying to eat a coaster as a cookie :-) Although I know of a Golden Retriever that is a defense dog and will throw himself at a target sleeve without thinking twice. That only goes to show dogs can do almost anything. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2009-02-26T12:46:41.000Z Kenshi, My shiba was a rescue that had little to no human attention the first 6 months of his life. He was wonderful with all people, children and dogs. He was a little shining (albeit destructive) light in every room. The main thing with rescues is it really is a test of the individual dog. I am sure there are some wonderful huskies in rescue. Despite all my crappy experiences. I specialize in pit bull rescue. And obviously they are not a primitive breed at all. They actually tend to do great in shelters as long as they get a bit of affection. And yet I know pitties who defy that "type". I also am comfortable saying that in many ways the bond developed between a rescue dog, and adopter, while possibly slower to develop is in many ways stronger than any other bond I know. Perhaps it is gratitude, perhaps it is something else, but there is a tangible difference and intensity in the bond (regardless of breed) with a rescue and rescuer. ## Calia · 2009-02-26T12:53:33.000Z Exercise is deffinately a major thing for a husky. When we got Tikaani fixed, we had to do the usual "no walk, limited movement" thing. He was either confined to the crate, or tied up in the living room. After three days of this confinement, I was practically about ready to strangle the dog. He started to show toy aggression, and was even hoarding anything he could reach. He chewed on things he hadn't thought of chewing before, got very nippy and had the 3 worst "fights" he ever had with Tetsu, and over the silliest things. He had become extremely obnoxious and I was counting the minutes till we can get the stitches out. ## Calia · 2009-02-26T13:03:35.000Z Also, an interesting fact I heard...people have been bitten more from labs and goldens than pits, they just don't report it. Plus pit bull is the default dog breed given by most news sources for dogs of unknown breed, even if the dog looks like is doesn't have a single ounce of pit blood in it's body. Found this one out when a collie/shepherd mix "viciously attacked" someone that my family was witness to, and the newspaper reported it as a pit bull attack. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2009-02-26T13:07:10.000Z Preaching to the choir here my friend! I was bitten by a chocolate lab the day before I rescued my pitbull. In my years of rescue I have been bitten 3 times, husky, lab and fila. ## KFontaine04 · 2009-02-26T13:15:02.000Z I have been bitten by three huskies (joy of working with rescues!) and a Lab. I have never met a pit that wasn't sweet as pie, but in saying that, their owners were wonderful people who were also sweet as pie. All this husky talk makes me want a Husky again too....I miss my girls... --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)