The Siberian husky was bred by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia to be an endurance sled dog. The Chukchi were semi-nomadic people who traveled to hunt; when changing climate forced them to expand their hunting grounds, they developed the huskies to help them survive. Huskies can travel long distances in low temperatures at a moderate speed; they can pull a light load with only a modest energy expenditure.
In 1909, the Siberian husky made its first appearance in North America at the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race, prompting a massive import of the breed. A year later, John “Iron Man” Johnson drove a team of huskies to victory in the four hundred mile race. Huskies took most of the racing titles in Alaska for the next decade. Breeder and racer Leonhard Seppala took many of the titles with his dogs.
A diphtheria epidemic struck Nome, Alaska in 1925. Many sled dog drivers — including breeder Leonhard Seppala — helped relay lifesaving antitoxin to the stricken city. The infamous “serum run” brought more attention to the breed, and eventually led to American Kennel Club recognition of the breed in 1930. (Huskies are working group dogs.) Seppala’s huskies competed in sled dog races in New England as part of his tour of the country, earning even more admirers for the breed.
Siberian huskies traveled with Admiral Byrd on his Antarctic Expeditions. They also served in the Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of the Air Transport Command during the Second World War All in all, a pretty amazing history for a dog!
The breed is all about the balance of power and endurance. Siberian huskies are considered medium-sized dogs, compact and strong. On average, a husky will range from twenty to twenty-three inches high at the shoulders and weigh between thirty-five and sixty pounds. Perhaps the most striking physical feature of a husky is his eyes. They can be either brown or blue — blue eyed huskies are absolutely breathtaking. Some dogs have one eye of each color, and some have eyes that are both blue and brown. My dog Miko, who was a husky/shepherd mix, had one brown eye and one eye that was mostly brown with a splash of ice blue.
Huskies have a double coat — this helps them stay warm against the cold weather of northeastern Asia. During shedding season, the undercoat will come out in huge tufts. Siberian huskies can come in many colors, ranging from pure white to black.
Super-blogger Heather Long has a husky in her family. Read more about Kai here!