How to Adopt a Husky in Volusia County

Whether you're drawn to their beauty, their free spirit, their personality, or their reputation as family friendly dogs, Husky dogs are an excellent choice for many individuals and families. However, while Husky dogs are an extremely popular dog, they aren't for everyone, and here at Sophie's Circle we want to ensure that you are ready to adopt, fully prepared for care, and know exactly what you're getting into before you adopt a husky. We frequently have husky dogs up for adoption in Volusia county, and providing you have the resources to care for your dog, we can help.

The Siberian Husky The Siberian Husky is a medium sized working dog breed bred for resilience to cold and extreme temperatures in the Siberian Arctic. They were originally brought to the Americas as sled dogs, thanks to the generations of breeding which produced a strong dog capable of running for hours. In modern times, the result of this breeding is a high energy dog that must be exercised frequently. This high energy is often the reason behind owners surrendering them to the shelter, because they can be destructive without proper care, training, and exercise. Despite that, a well trained husky is calm, good with small pets and children, full of personality, and suitable for any household that can exercise them enough. Like wolves, the husky howls rather than barks. They also have an average lifespan of 12-15 years and will remain your companion for years to come.

While often confused with the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky dogs are typically half the size, at an average weight of 45-50 pounds, where Malamutes can weigh as much as 95 pounds.

Training Siberian Husky Dogs
Siberian husky dogs benefit from regular training and some experts suggest that 15 minute daily training, complete with positive reinforcement is ideal. Husky's rank 45th on Stanley Coren's "The Intelligence of Dogs" scale, and that makes them easy to train, especially with reinforcement.

Volusia Beach Dog Training Resources:

• Obedience Club of Daytona 
• Dogtona Beach Pet Resort  
• Off Leash K9 Training  
• Best Paw Forward Inc 
• The Dog Smith  
• The 1 Dog Trainer Academy 

 There are also many other dog trainers in Volusia county, so you should search for one near you.

Laws and Apartment Regulations to Consider 
Most husky dogs should not be kept in a yard without supervision, simply because they can dig, burrow, and jump their way out. Some husky's jump as high as 8 feet, allowing them to escape all but the most extreme of backyard fencing. However, homeowners and renters without appropriate yard space can care for a husky, providing they take the time to properly exercise the dog outside.

Licensing - All dogs over 4 months old must be licensed and must wear a tag. The license costs $4 per year and can be obtained at:

• Daytona Tag and Title Office 250 N Beach St, Daytona Beach (386) 254-4610
• Deland Tag and Title Office 123 W Indiana Ave Rm. 103, Daytona Beach (386) 736-5936
• New Smyrna Tag and Title Office 111 Canal St, New Smyrna Beach (386) 423-3322
• Orange City Tag and Title Office 2744 Enterprise Rd, Orange City (386) 736-5936
• Most veterinarians in Volusia County

Leash Laws in Volusia County - It is illegal to allow Husky dogs to free roam. Volusia County ordinance Chapter 14, Article 2, Section 14-45 states that your dog must be restrained (on a leash, in a crate, etc.) at all times in public.

Apartments – Many apartments retain the rights to restrict certain dogs, and many restrict husky dogs or any dogs over a certain weight limit. Owning a Husky will reduce your land rental opportunities.

How to Exercise Siberian Huskies
If you do not have a large, escape proof fence in your backyard, you can commit to exercising your husky a minimum of 1-2 hours per day. Husky dogs make great run companions in cooler weather, but should only be walked in the summer, as their heavy coats can cause them to overheat in Florida's weather.

A short walk every few hours plus a long walk in the morning or evening or both is more than suitable for most husky dogs. However, if you are away for 8 or more hours every day, owning a husky is not for you as they will become agitated with pent up energy.

How Much do Huskies Eat? 
Husky dogs were bred for cold climates, where they often had to do with little food. As a result, the breed eats considerably less than most other dogs of a similar size. However, their eating habits can vary depending on the energy of the dog, their exercise, and other factors. If you want to ensure that you're prepared for the financial costs related with owning a medium size dog, consider that first year costs can range between $1,000 and $2,858, although second and third year costs are typically much lower.

Adopting a Husky Dog in Volusia County
Adopting a husky is the best and most humane choice for bringing one of these beautiful dogs into your home. In addition to helping a dog in need, you can ensure that your dollars do not go to support unethical puppy mill practices, and that a beautiful dog finds a home. Here at Sophie's Circle, we work to rescue and rehome husky dogs from around the area. We can help to match you up to a husky who meets the needs of your home.

Do You Have Other Pets? - Husky dogs can be trained to work with other pets but if you have small animals such as a cat or a small dog, you should mention it when you go through the adoption process. Untrained husky dogs are predatory and may attempt to prey on smaller animals without training.

We consider the adoption process to be of utmost importance and we work hard to ensure that you and your husky are matched well together. We want every dog to go to the right home, so that we do not end up taking them back. Please take the time to ensure that a husky is right for you before contacting us.

If you are sure and you are ready to adopt a husky, please email jennifer.popowich@gmail.com or Dconway1327@gmail.com for information.