Here at Sunny Lee, most of the huskies were born and raised right here. Right now, our focus is shorter Mid-Distance. While these dogs live to run, other activities are provided as well to ensure a well rounded, healthy and happy dog and to provide something to do in the off season. We participate in other sports such as weight pull, rally obedience, agility and Therapy Dog work.
Here are some of the questions I have gotten on a fairly regular basis over the years! If you have a question that isn't on here, or want more information or clarification on something that I do address here, feel free to contact me!!! I am always happy to talk about my dogs and dogs in general.
Q)What makes a good sled dog?
A) A sled dog must be physically sound. The ideal sled dog is medium sized and between 45-55 lbs. They should be sound mentally as well since there are many different situations that they can encounter out on run.
Q) But don't bigger sled dogs make better pullers? They should be stronger than the little dogs.
A) In most cases, a bigger dog will become tired faster than a bit smaller dog. In today's mushing world, dogs are no longer needed to pull huge loads as a team and the smaller dogs can cover more distance, and faster than bigger dogs can.
Q)What makes a good Lead dog?
A) You will get different answers to this one depending on who you ask! My preference is an intelligent, confident dog. Everyone will agree though that lead dogs tend to be just a bit more driven than most of the other dogs on the team.
Q)Do these make good pets?
A)It depends on what your expectations are. These are high energy dogs that like to be involved in stuff with you. They are not suited to just chilling with you. If you are looking for an active companion to do stuff like running, skijoring, agility, or other things where they can be active, they can make very good pets.
Q)Are they good with small animals? My friend had a husky and said it got on with the cat just fine!
A) In general, no they are not. While there are exceptions, Huskies tend to be quite prey driven.
Q)Why are so many sled dogs on chains?
A) In many cases, this is the most reliable way to keep a sled dog safely confined. Huskies are bred to run and will roam if left to their own devices. Over the years I have tried different systems for kenneling my dogs. I have a few that will stay inside of fences, but most of the dogs will work to find a way out of the fence. I have had dogs climb, jump, and dig out. I have had many that if I made the top and bottom secure, figure out the gate latch. Once this was made secure, I have had many dogs who would simply take the fence apart. Today, if you take a look at many of the top quality sled dog kennels around, you will find that there is a fenced area for the dogs to be allowed off of the chains to play and just be dogs while supervised to ensure that they do not get out of the fence.
Q)You have so many dogs! How do you tell them apart and remember their names?
A) My standard reply to this is, How do you remember your family and friends names? How do you tell them apart? I spend hours of my time with these dogs, and the other mushers I know spend just as much time with their dogs. Many of my dogs were born here and I have known them their entire lives, each one is an individual.
Q)What makes a good sled dog?
A) A sled dog must be physically sound. The ideal sled dog is medium sized and between 45-55 lbs. They should be sound mentally as well since there are many different situations that they can encounter out on run.
Q) But don't bigger sled dogs make better pullers? They should be stronger than the little dogs.
A) In most cases, a bigger dog will become tired faster than a bit smaller dog. In today's mushing world, dogs are no longer needed to pull huge loads as a team and the smaller dogs can cover more distance, and faster than bigger dogs can.
Q)What makes a good Lead dog?
A) You will get different answers to this one depending on who you ask! My preference is an intelligent, confident dog. Everyone will agree though that lead dogs tend to be just a bit more driven than most of the other dogs on the team.
Q)Do these make good pets?
A)It depends on what your expectations are. These are high energy dogs that like to be involved in stuff with you. They are not suited to just chilling with you. If you are looking for an active companion to do stuff like running, skijoring, agility, or other things where they can be active, they can make very good pets.
Q)Are they good with small animals? My friend had a husky and said it got on with the cat just fine!
A) In general, no they are not. While there are exceptions, Huskies tend to be quite prey driven.
Q)Why are so many sled dogs on chains?
A) In many cases, this is the most reliable way to keep a sled dog safely confined. Huskies are bred to run and will roam if left to their own devices. Over the years I have tried different systems for kenneling my dogs. I have a few that will stay inside of fences, but most of the dogs will work to find a way out of the fence. I have had dogs climb, jump, and dig out. I have had many that if I made the top and bottom secure, figure out the gate latch. Once this was made secure, I have had many dogs who would simply take the fence apart. Today, if you take a look at many of the top quality sled dog kennels around, you will find that there is a fenced area for the dogs to be allowed off of the chains to play and just be dogs while supervised to ensure that they do not get out of the fence.
Q)You have so many dogs! How do you tell them apart and remember their names?
A) My standard reply to this is, How do you remember your family and friends names? How do you tell them apart? I spend hours of my time with these dogs, and the other mushers I know spend just as much time with their dogs. Many of my dogs were born here and I have known them their entire lives, each one is an individual.