Care and training:

The Siberian makes a fine family pet as long as the buyer is patient, has the time to devote to training and exercise, and can deal with a dog that has a mind of its own. Although they don't bark much, Siberians are vocal_they'll sing along with sirens and scream as if being killed if forced to do something they don't want to do. All-breed obedience classes can be a treat if a Siberian is present: a simple "down" command can bring howls of protest even under the most gentle guidance, and a mild correction for nipping can elicit torturous shrieks. This is not the breed for a first-time dog owner who is shy or easily embarrassed in public.

Although they bond easily and tightly to their human families, most northern dogs are not slavish in their affections. Few are successful in obedience competition, particularly at the higher levels, because they are easily bored with repetition and lack precision in their work. They are happy to obey, but always on their own terms. Rather than gaze lovingly into the master's eyes, the Siberian will most likely be content to heel approximately in place, to sit almost straight, to come when called unless there's something else more interesting nearby. It takes a truly dedicated owner to achieve high scores and advanced titles.

Along with destructiveness, the Siberian's bad habits include a penchant for wandering, often preceded by the digging of a hole under the fence, and food-stealing. Digging is natural with this dog; his forbears dug holes in the snow as nests, and the instinct remains strong. His innate need for exercise and his inherent curiosity often lead him astray. So, a strong fence is necessary to keep him home 

preferably a fence that has been sunk a foot or two into the ground. An electronic or radio-frequency fence will probably not do the trick, especially if more than one Siberian lives in the yard.

Siberians that wander can get lost, stolen, or hit by cars. They can also contribute to the mixed breed dog population, for wandering males will find females in heat, and wandering females in heat will be a target for any male. Owners should seriously consider sterilization to prevent unwanted litters, to somewhat curb the wanderlust, and to prevent reproductive tract cancers from developing.

To pre-empt food-stealing, a habit that often escalates in winter, the Siberian should not be allowed unsupervised in the kitchen.

The Siberian is an easy care breed. He does shed profusely at least once a year, and daily or twice-daily combing sessions are necessary if there is any hope of keeping the fine undercoat hair off furniture and clothes and out of food. The hair comes out in tufts, usually beginning on the hind end and continuing forward on the body. Shedding takes about two or three weeks; a warm bath may help loosen the hair so it can be combed out quicker. A Siberian kept in the house all year, especially in dry heat, will probably drop hairs all year.

Although generally healthy, the Siberian is subject to hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (a genetic eye disease), cataracts, corneal disorders, thyroid deficiency, and zinc-deficiency disease. Buyers should therefore beware of backyard breeders and pet stores whose breeding stock has not been found free of hip dysplasia and tested for PRA and thyroid diseases. A health guarantee means nothing if the breeding stock has not been tested.

Poor breeding also has caused temperament problems in Siberians; in addition to being poor physical specimens, pet store puppies may be high-strung and hyperactive, difficult to housetrain, and very tough to obedience train.