If you don't like spunky kids, you probably don't want to own a husky. However, if personality is a plus in your books, you may want to take a second look -- Siberians are never boring. Beware, if you get one and like it, you may fall victim to the Siberian Potato Chip Syndrome: it's hard to own only one... or two... or three... surely there is room for just one more...

Siberian advantages

Beautiful, relatively clean and odourless dog (as long as they are not playing in a barnyard)

Highly intelligent, though maybe this should go on the drawback side, as it leads to a few power struggles while training

Small appetites, 2 cups a day per dog, plus a little extra while sledding regularly

Relatively low incidence of genetic problems, though a new owner should look for juvenile cateracts and hip displacia in the background of any dog they are considering

Very friendly with people, though they might lick a robber to death

Personality plus, plus, plus!

Fastest sledding dog around after the Alaskan Husky, which is actually a mixed breed dog; Border Collies might beat you in short distance races

Not generally barkers, though they may howl if they are lonely, or when they are having fun together as a pack. I find them a lot quieter in the house than most dogs, no loud incessant panting, or uncoordinated thumping around the room

There's just nothing like a Husky smile!

Siberians drawbacks

Generally cannot be walked off leash without serious training, though there are many exceptions to this rule, they nearly all require serious fencing to stay on your property (six-foot fence, lined at the base and/or electric fencing of some description)

Tendency to dig holes in your yard, turning it into excellent filming grounds for alien landscape movies, though most will grow out of this it can be a hassle until they do; shrubs may still be considered chew toys; and gardens are playgrounds

Though mine are pretty good about kitchen counters, I don't tempt them by leaving anything particularly good out when I am not around to defend it

Can be aggressive with other dogs and/or animals, particularly ones smaller than they are - which are really food items don't ya know

Need a fair amount of exercise: walking, running, sledding or at least a large backyard and another dog. My brother lost a good deal of weight after getting his first husky, so this might be an advantage if you were looking for an effective weight loss program

Shedding fur in the summer months may be more common than grains of salt on your dinner. This can be alleviated somewhat through regular brushing

For a look at more opinions about the breed see the links section of this website.