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Comment by machrider | Hacker News Reader

Doesn't Joel live in NYC? A husky in an apartment is a terrible idea.

my apartment has a half mile elliptical snow track -- he does 20 laps a day with a team pulling a sled full of New York phone books

Joel, I just wanted to say that despite the fact the evidence suggests you are an intelligent person and I know nothing more about your position than the fact you have a puppy, I want to join the horde of people ensuring that we stick our nose in your business to remind you (since nobody else has) that dogs need to be fed rather a lot for optimum health (once every two days just doesn't cut it in my experience). They also require water, and unfortunately despite my best efforts most of the food and water just comes out again several hours later. No, despite what you think you can't seem to just reuse the stuff that comes out. I'm not certain if you were aware of these things so let me call you out in public as someone who doesn't.

...

Jeez, people, lay off with the dog advice already. You don't know enough about the situation to advise meaningfully.

bugs' repeated comments being a perfect case in point. I know this entire subject is hardly HN material, but both myself and the vet sitting beside me would like you all to know that:

bugs repeated advice on exercise would, if applied, make sure that Joel's dog leads a short, uncomfortable life due to the kind of overexercise that compounds the kinds of hip problems that already lead to shortened lives in large breed dogs even when exercised properly. Do NOT overexercise a puppy. Especially a large breed puppy.

That said, don't take advise from the internet. Not even mine. Not even if it is from the vet sitting next to me since, while she may be a vet, this is still the internet. Talk to your own vet about what is right for your dog.

Not to belabor the point, but I know a lot of otherwise intelligent people get working dog breeds without being adequately prepared to handle their need for stimulation and exercise. I care about the welfare of animals and hate to see people get puppies recklessly. It's not "your business" if your choices involve the mistreatment of animals.

I'm happy to hear that Joel knows what he's doing, and apparently has a ridiculously big apartment. :) However, if a comment in this thread makes anyone think twice about getting a husky puppy, then it was worth it IMO. Sorry if those statements come off as nosy, that's not really the intent.

I don't really know all that much about Joel but huskies can behave pretty well indoors with supervision as long as those guidelines are met (exercise and training) but if the apartment is small the exercise is going to have to make up for it in time and amount.

I have had huskies that could and would run for hours on end with no sign of slowing (as they should be able to) and currently have a husky akita mix that takes full reign of five acres.

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