Siberian Huskies

The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute are all breeds directly descended from the original "sled dog." Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog as can be seen with the Alaskan Malamute.

In this breed of canine, the word "husky" derives from Inuit tribes called "huskies", named by Caucasians who made early expeditions into their lands. The word "Siberian" in this breed's name is derived from Siberia itself, because it is thought that Eskimo or sled dogs were used to cross the land bridge of the Bering Straight on the way into, or out of, Alaska, though this theory is continuously disputed by scholars. Breeds descending from the Eskimo dog were once found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Siberia to Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Labrador, and Baffin Island.

With the help of Siberian Huskies, entire tribes of peoples were able to not only survive, but push forth into terra incognita. Admiral Robert Peary of the United States Navy was aided by this breed during his expeditions in search of the North Pole. The Siberian Husky's role in this feat cannot be over estimated.

Dogs from the Anadyr River and surrounding regions were imported into Alaska from 1908 (and for the next two decades) during the gold rush for use as sled dogs, especially in the "All-Alaska Sweepstakes", a 408 mile (657 km) distance dog sled race from Nome to Candle and back. Smaller, faster and more enduring than the 100 to 120 pound (45 to 54 kg) freighting dogs then in general use, they immediately dominated the Nome Sweepstakes. Leonhard Seppala, the foremost breeder of Siberian Huskies of the time, participated in competitions from 1909 to the mid 1920s.

On February 2, 1925 Gunnar Kaasen was first in the 1925 serum run to Nome whom delivered diphtheria serum from Nenana over 600 miles to Nome. This was a group effort comprised of several sled dog teams and mushers. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race commemorates this famous delivery. The event is also loosely depicted in the 1995 animated film Balto, as the name of Gunnar Kaasen's lead dog in his sled team was named Balto. In honor of this lead dog a bronze statue was erected at Central Park in New York City. The epitaph upon it is inscribed with

Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of a stricken Nome in the winter of 1925. Endurance--fidelity--intelligence

In 1930 the last Siberians were exported as the Soviet government closed the borders of Siberia to external trade. The same year saw recognition of the Siberian Husky by the American Kennel Club. Nine years later the breed was first registered in Canada. Today's Siberian Huskies registered in North America are largely the descendants of the 1930 Siberia imports and of Leonhard Seppala's dogs. Seppala owned a kennel in Nenana before moving to New England. Arthur Walden, owner of Chinook Kennels of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, was by far the most prominent breeder of Siberian Huskies. The foundation of his kennel stock came directly from Alaska, and Seppala's kennel.

Only beginning to come to prominence, in 1933 Navy Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd brought with him around 50 Siberian Huskies, many of which were assembled and trained at Chinook Kennels in New Hampshire, during an expedition in which Byrd hoped to journey around the 16,000-mile coast of Antarctica. Called Operation High-jump, this historic trek proved the worth of the Siberian Husky due to its compact size and greater speeds.[10] Siberian Huskies also served in the United States Army's Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of the Air Transport Command during World War II.

An active, energetic and resilient breed whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic and were bred by the Chukchi of Northeastern Asia[1], it was imported into Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush and spread from there into the United States and Canada, initially as a sled dog. It rapidly acquired the status of a family pet and a show-dog.

The Siberian Husky has been described as a behavioural representative of the domestic dog's forebear, the wolf. It exhibits a wide range of the ancestor type's behaviours. They are frequently known to howl rather than bark. Hyperactivity displaying as an over-active hunting drive, a characteristic of kennelled dogs, is often noticeable in dogs released from their captive environment for exercise - a behaviour welcome in hunting dogs but not in the family pet. The frequency of kennelled Siberian Huskies, especially for racing purposes, is rather high, as attributed through the history of the breed in North America. Fifteen-minute obedience training classes will serve well for Siberian Huskies, as will daily training.

Siberian Huskies are still used occasionally as sled dogs in dogsled racing but have been widely replaced by the more popular Alaskan Husky and hound-type cross-breeds that are specially bred and selected for speed and have less heavy coats. Freight Siberian Huskies were selectively bred to pull a medium load over long distances at a medium pace, and simply can't keep up with their faster counterparts. Siberians are still popular in races restricted to pure-breds and are faster than other pure sled dog breeds such as the Samoyed and the slower but much stronger Alaskan Malamute. Today the breed tends to divide along lines of "racing" Siberians versus "show" Siberians.

Apart from dog sled racing -- they are very popular for recreational mushing and are also used for skijoring (one to three dogs pulling a skier) and European ski-pulka. A few owners use them for dog-packing and hiking. They have also seen use as therapy dogs.

In the United Kingdom, husky racing on forest tracks using specially designed tricycles, known as rigs, instead of sledges is popular during the winter months.

Balto, famous lead dog of the last team of the 1925 serum run to Nome.
Togo, Leonhard Seppala's famous leader for the longest portion of the serum run.
Barko from the Uncle Scrooge story, "North of the Yukon."
Exile (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) from Road Rovers.
The sled team from the Disney movie Snow Dogs.
Diefenbaker from the hit television series Due South.
Six of the eight dogs on the sled team from the Disney movie Eight Below.
Tusky Husky the Husky Alien from Krypto the Superdog.
Jenna from Balto, Balto 2: Wolf Quest, & Balto 3: Wings of Change.
Poppy, Galford's companion from Samurai Shodown.
Shadow from the game Dead to Rights, is a Police dog but appears to be a more vicious husky.
Jonathan, a white Siberian, is the official mascot of University of Connecticut.
Paws, mascot of Northeastern University.
Kyoto, a white Siberian owned by the current leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Stephane Dion. Kyoto was named after the Kyoto Protocol.
Based on a true story, Iron Will, a film by Disney starring a group of Siberian huskies and their young owner partaking a dog-sled race. Also starring Kevin Spacey.
Blizzard T. Husky, mascot of Michigan Technological University.
University of Saskatchewan (Canada) uses the Husky as their mascot and team name; The U of S Huskies.
Victor E. Huskie, mascot of Northern Illinois University.
Harry the Husky, mascot of University of Washington.
The Four Generals of Mutsu, Kisaragi, Uzuki, Hazuki and Minazuki, and Hakuro of Hokkaido from Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin
Kigaragi's sons and Hakuro's grandchildren from Ginga Densetsu Weed
Steele the villainous and vain husky from Balto (film)

Siberians are clean, odorless dogs. Their gorgeous coats need no trimming, shaping or thinning. Twice a year, they'll shed or "blow" their undercoats and hair will fall out in clumps. Frequent brushing is essential during these intense shedding periods, which can last three weeks or more. For the rest of the year, once a week brushings are needed to remove dead hair and maintain a shiny coat. Baths are recommended once or twice a year.

Their average lifespan of a Siberian Husky is 10 to 14 years. They are remarkably healthy dogs with few genetic issues. The breed is at risk for three inherited eye defects that can occur in any eye colour. Hereditary, or juvenile cataracts (different from non-hereditary cataracts affecting elderly dogs) are the most common, followed by followed by corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. For more information, see the links below.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint in which the head of the femur does not fit properly into the pelvic socket. This condition, while not present at birth, develops during the first two years of the dog's life. It is often progressive, causing inflammation, pain, and arthritis in one or both hips. Symptoms may range from mild to severe and can be aggravated by strenuous exercise. Though they are at at risk for hip dysplasia, the Siberian Husky ranks relatively low when compared to other susceptable breeds, due to the efforts of responsible breeders who follow guidelines established by The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Siberian Husky Club of America.

Siberian Huskies require less food per pound than most other same-size breeds. Their diet must be high in protein and fat. Premium brands of dog food can provide optimal nourishment with smaller amounts of food. Follow a feeding schedule and use a formula that fits your dog's lifestyle. Active working Siberians need a performance formula. For the average Siberian that goes for walks or even occasional hikes, a maintenance formula is better. Ask a knowlegible breeder or your veterinarian for feeding advice.

Huskies dig holes under fences to escape but they also dig because digging is fun. Siberian Huskies have a natural tendency to dig. They dig holes, they might even dig craters. It's the nature of the breed to dig holes to lie in. They've also been known to dig up plants and bushes, so when fencing in an area for Huskies to run and play, Husky owners might want to fence them out of flower beds, away from gardens and prized shrubs. Digging can be a very difficult problem to solve. Some owners overcome the problem of the nuisance digging by providing a spot in the yard - a sand box type area - where their dog is allowed and encouraged to dig.

I have got one Siberian Husky too. They are so cute .. :)
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