Siberian Husky
The National Historic "Iditarod" Trail once carried mail, life-saving medical supplies, gold mining equipment and the Inuit from coastal towns, like Seward and Knik, to interior camps at Ophir, Flat and Ruby, and serving western communities like Unalakleet, Elim, Golovin, White Mountain and Nome. Today, Alaskans commemorate this rich history with an annual race called the Iditarod Race. Mushers take their dog sled teams, which are comprised of the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute, the Samoya and/or the Canadian Eskimo dog, on a journey through glacial passages, bustling towns, native villages and across long stretches of frozen tundra for a total of 1,150 miles.
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.
Finding a Siberian Husky isn't difficult, although you should pay special attention to the breeder's history. Visit the compound, take a look around at the other dogs and spend some time observing the prospective parents first. Don't feel pressured to buy from the first breeder you meet. Since you will be paying around $700 for a puppy, you'll want to make sure he or she will be healthy and attractive. If you are interested, you can find specialized breeders who raise all-sled dogs or all-AKC show dogs. Or, if you're just looking for a pet, then you may even consider an Alaskan Malamute/Husky mix.
The Siberian Husky Club is in its 12th year -- but is located in a strange place: Australia! Regular events draw 100 members and their dogs to pull scooters or bikes across woodland terrain. Club spokesman Murray McGregor explained, "As a club we run a number of social sledding events at different locations, with each event having a slightly different focus." He added, "The mushup and mushdown events held in Wingello State forest are our season openers and closers." To make things more comfortable for the dogs, the events are held in the cooler months, during the early evening or morning. The events can be a great way for Alaskan Husky lovers to come together, while simultaneously exercising their canine companions.
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Today's Tip On Alaska
Who wouldn't want a dog that looks like a wolf? It's easy to be fascinated by the Alaskan Malamute. Many children have read Jack London's novel, "White Fang" and daydreamed of having their very own wolf-like sled dog. Of course, selecting a breed of dog is about more than just aesthetics. You have to make sure your dog has the right type of personality and suits your needs. For example, if you're looking for a guard dog, then you'd be better off getting a German Shepherd or a Doberman Pinscher.
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