Page 217 - Showsight March 2013

Anyone, from judges to
fanciers to pet owners,
who truly wishes to
understand the Siberian
Husky—his conforma-
tion, motivation, and
temperament—must look at the history
and purpose of the breed. Because where
and how this breed was domesticated, the
conditions under which its predecessors
lived, and its integral role in the survival
of the native peoples, indelibly left their
marks on today’s Siberian Husky.
The story of the Siberian Husky begins
in the Asian land closest to Alaska, known
as the Chukchi Peninsula. This is a very
desolate area, known for harsh winds off
the sea, mountains, and permafrost tun-
dra. There is little vegetation, some bush-
es and no trees. Life is difficult in these
harsh conditions, and the Chukchi people
have lived in this area for thirteen thou-
sand years, surviving by hunting, fishing,
and trapping, and utilizing dog teams for
transportation in this semi-nomadic life.
Due to the climate, terrain, and scar-
city of food, the Chukchi’s dogs, prede-
cessors of today’s Siberian Huskies, were
not large. They were of medium size and
built for endurance, with good lung capac-
ity combined with the conformation of a
distance runner—slightly longer-than-tall
body, legs longer than the depth of body,
a strong topline, and good angles—all of
which enabling them to travel long dis-
tances over varied terrain.
They were well-outfitted for below-
freezing conditions with an insulating
double coat, adequate length of muzzle,
and other arctic survival characteristics.
Their thick, dense coat allows the breed
to adapt quite well to different climates.
Because the Siberian’s double coat insu-
lates from BOTH cold and heat, Siberians
usually do fine in warmer climates.
As a double-coated breed, a Siberian
will shed his coat once or twice a year.
And, it is hard to believe how much
fur this medium-sized dog has until it
blankets your yard, clothing, furniture,
and the very air you breathe! A Siberian
Husky will not carry as much coat in
the warm months, and with lots of fresh
water and shade he will remain comfort-
able in hot weather.
Over time, trade occurred between the
Chukchis and their close Alaskan neigh-
bors. Near the turn of the last century, the
discovery of gold in the Yukon prompted
the need for more dog teams to transport
the new miners. Sled dog racing began
among the native and gold rush teams.
Upon hearing of the extraordinary
speed and stamina of the Siberian dogs,
the first Siberian Huskies were brought to
Alaska. A team of these Siberian dogs was
entered in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes race
and did quite well. Their success prompted
the importing of an additional 60 Sibe-
rian dogs. Two Siberian teams competed
in the 1910 All-Alaska Sweepstakes, plac-
ing first and third. The first place team set
the record for a race at this distance (400+
miles), a record that held for nearly 100
years; finally being broken in 2008!
Due to the Chukchi’s environment
and need for an endurance sled dog, the
Siberian dogs were significantly smaller
than the native Alaskan dogs. They were
ridiculed for their size, even being referred
THE SIBERIAN HUSKY:
The Past Shapes the Present
By Donna Beckman
The dense, double coat insulates the Siberian from both cold and heat.
Siberian Huskies are friendly and gregarious,
and often have a special affinity for children.
S howS ight Magazine, M arch 2013 • 217