Do Northern Inniuts Make good pet's? General Chat

I haven't read all the threads in this section as there are some conflicting views, As some of you know Im looking for a pet come guard dog, a well behaved and Healthy dog.

I was looking around the shelter and a lady was in looking for a Inniut, Well I think that is what she said so I thought I would check here first, as you helped with the bulldog cross thing, However I was wondering will one make a good pet or will I just go for a mongrel/crossbred as I don't want to show or breed them and I have decided I want a dog not a bitch as I don't want to bothered with all there seasons etc.
Thankyou.

From all the posts on here regarding NI's I don't think there is an arguement on their temperaments more that it is difficult to find a good breeder with ethics. That applies to all breeds. You have to do your homework.
As you are going to be a new dog owner I would find a breed that's not over demanding on training etc. As said to you in a previous post though, don't get a dog you want for guarding. Your priority is to have a dog that is excellent in temperament. I would also say this being your first dog you would not be experienced enough to specialise train. Most dogs will bark if someone comes to the door. For the dogs sake and yours, you don't want any more than that. If you are looking for extra safety/security then invest in home security and personal alarms, and look for a family dog who will just be that.

NI's are meant to be very friendly & submit...so guard dog their not!!!

well behaved?..........well you would have to do 99% of the work there anyway so any dog for that!

In my opinion yes they make great pets. Not so sure about being any good for guarding (maybe if I wasn't around who knows) but my male is pretty gobby if anyone comes within about 10 foot of the house! His size, looks and big mouth are usually enough to frighten most people off.

There is a lot of contraversy at the moment about health issues in the northern inuit/british inuit/utonagon breed...all names for basically the same type of dog.
These dogs are crosses of at least 3 breeds...GSD,husky and malamute all of which have very different temperaments and needs and hence there can be no guarantee of what exactly you will get.
If you are willing to pay pedigree prices the nI would suggest that whatever breed you decide on that you research required health issues/tests within the breed and make sure that you buy from a breeder who breeds from tested stock whos ancestors are also tested and free of such issues of HD,epilepsy etc.
If you want a cross breed ...go to a rescue and take your pick

Dotty...there is a very good rescue site but I cannot post you a link as it contains a forum and I cannot PM you as you have not made enough posts...get posting LOL

I would say go for a breed that is easy to train and is renowned for being vocal. That way you will have a dog who barks when someone comes to the door but fits in well as a family pet. A trip to a local rescue should give you what you are after. They will know which dogs are vocal, which have good temprements andd what level of training each dog has and is capable of.

NI are crossbreeds so can only be shown at companion shows anyway..Breeding them is a minefield too as there is so much health problems and pedigree problems..

There have been a few aggressive dogs in the past..and the healthy part is questionable..

just because you have a dog doesn't mean you won't be affected by OTHER bitches seasons.. So advice would be to neuter..or he might take himself off to find a bitch..

Most rescues won't rehome dogs as guard dogs..

NI`s are not good as a first dog... i think that`s one thing all the information on the net does agree on.

As for guard dog.. let me tell you a story.

I usually go to work by car... so the dogs are used to hearing me when i come home.. but decided to go to work on my bike one evening. On my return, as i put my bike in the utility room... my dog started barking, as i walked into the kitchin.. he didn`t know it was me.. did an about turn and legged it as fast as he could. Great guard dog... not!

My bitch doesn`t bark at all... if people come round, she`s usually half way up the stairs.. with her head hanging over the bannister... just incase she needs to run.

Good luck in your search. I don't think that you can rely on the Northern Inuit as a guard dog. I think it is too people friendly.

I differ from most others who have posted here in that I don't see the problem with choosing a particular type/breed of dog for its guarding ability, AS LONG AS you have considered all its other likely traits and are happy to live with them too. And as long as you still provide it with a happy family home and the care, love, training and attention it needs. It goes without saying that it should always be pet first, guard second.

I chose the german shepherd breed partly for its guarding ability and aloofness to strangers. But of course, I love everything else about the breed too.

totally agree 100%

My NI is huge and very powerful and scary looking but would be the most useless guard dog he just doesnt have it in him.

NI's do not make good guard dogs they will do one on two things when met with a stranger (depending on the dog) 1) Greet said stranger like a long lost friend and follow them round trying to get them to play. 2) Run away and hide then maybe watch from a safe distance. The only thing Ela does is bark, its a big dog bark which puts the little chaves off hanging round our back gate but not everyone would be fooled.

They make great family pets and are a joy to own (most of the time!) but i wouldn't say they were a first time dog. They can be very strong willed, have the attention span of a nat if what they are doing is boring and have a high prey drive. If you have never owned a dog (or had much experience with large breeds) before this breed would be very challenging for you i feel.

I agree, NI's are def no no's as guard dogs.

Kato still hasnt really barked but he can whine like a baby

Dotty from what you have said previously this is obviously your first dog and you have very little experience with dogs. I would urge you to er on the side of a smaller dog rather than a more demanding larger dog like an NI. Any good rescue should be able to steer and guide you towards the right animal taking into consideration your needs and experience.

Personally I wouldn't raise a dog specifically wanting it to guard. Many adult dogs will give a warning dog reguardless of breed. I would not encourage a dog to bark/guard as you can then end up with far more than you bargained for - especially if it is your first dog.

My friends have a lab andn they asked me how they could train her to bark, i told them not to and it would happen naturally. Sure enough, after her first season it did, and now she will give a good warning bark as soon as someone touches the gate......stopping them, of course, is sometimes a different kettle of fish.

N.I's are fickle, do things in their own time, not an easy breed to train so need a lot of time and attention, they do respond well to routine, don't expect too much from them apart from kisses and cuddles if you are the owner, you wouldn't want to try to get an N.I to guard as they are quite unpredictable so in a situation he wouldn't normally guard he will then he'll think hes good and when your angry cause he knocked some kid over he'll wonder why lol...Definately not an easy breed.
There are plenty dogs in rescue and usually the centres would try to match a dog to you so maybe as a first time owner that would be a good way to start xx Good Luck x

Oh dear This is my first dog and most of you are advising not one of these for a first time dog owner, thanks for you replies.

I also wouldn't recommend an NI as a first dog/guard dog.

We have 4 NI's. We also have at the moment a temporary shih tzu

The other day, the first morning the little shih tzu was with us he, was in one garden and the 4 NI's in the other. The postman turns up and the shih tzu barks like mad. The NI's didn't make a sound