Siberian Husky – About The Breed
If you’re not from the state of Alaska or you are not a big fan of the Siberian Husky, then chances are you’ve never heard of the “Iditarod Race.” Yet, this unique event began in 1973 and has since garnered sponsors like Wells Fargo, Chrysler and Cabela’s. The dog sled race takes teams of Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyas and Eskimo dogs 1,150 miles across the frozen tundra. The team of twelve to sixteen dogs race from checkpoint to checkpoint, all the while hauling their musher. A small microchip is embedded in their shoulders, which are scanned to ensure everything is fair in the race and safe for the animals. The time to beat for this massive trek is currently around 11 days. For many tourists, the Iditarod Race is a memorable, Alaskan experience.
One needn’t be a die-hard racer to love the Siberian Husky. Sure, these dogs are clearly bred for racing. Their slender, agile frames shout “long distance runner,” while their thick double coat and heavily padded feet exude “endurance.” This breed is incredibly resilient, requiring little food and little sleep, but demands exercise and attention. The Alaskan Husky likes to dig, loves to run and enjoys the hunt. Smaller dogs, cats and other animals may become prey for this wolf-like dog, so they function best with similar-sized dogs of the opposite sex and the companionship of the whole family. Early obedience classes will help these native Alaskan dogs be all they can be and it should be understood that positive reward works best for these docile and devoted animals.
The Siberian Husky frequently appears in pop culture. The Alaskan Husky is a mascot of the University of Washington, Northern Illinois University, Michigan Tech University, Northeastern University and the University of Connecticut. You can see this breed in movies like “Iron Will” (starring Kevin Spacey), “Snow Buddies,” “Balto,” “Krypto the Superdog,” “Eight Below,” and “Snow Dogs” (starring Cuba Gooding Jr), to name a few. Balto, the lead dog from the 1925 Iditarod Race, has his own statue in New York City’s Central Park and inspired the movie series as well. Part of the public’s love of the Husky is based on pure aesthetics, while another part is based on its friendly, loving demeanor. For that reason, the Alaskan Husky is also commonly used as a therapy dog.
The lifespan of a Siberian Husky is 12 – 16 years. Sight problems are one of the most common health ailments, with juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy affecting some older dogs. As with many larger breeds, hip dysplasia can be found and sled dogs may come down with gastric disease, bronchitis or “ski asthma.” If you take your dog to the vet regularly and ensure proper feeding/exercise, then your dog should live a long, healthy life.
By Travel Editor
