Page 220 - Showsight March 2013

to as “Siberian rats.” Yet, their smaller
size, conformation, and heartiness led to
their success. Additionally, the tempera-
ment of the Siberian Husky reflected in
his ability to work well in a team, is still
a treasured hallmark of the breed. Sibe-
rians should be friendly and alert, never
possessive or suspicious. Siberians tend to
get along well with all people and other
animals. However, common sense should
be applied, and one will find more suc-
cess by introducing a Siberian puppy into
a home with cats or other small animals.
Although Siberians have a natural prey
drive, puppies generally learn respect for
the small animals in their households.
Their friendly, gregarious temperament
generally makes them good companions
for children and other family members.
But, the significant motivation of the
Siberian Husky is his desire to RUN.
Siberians, as other breeds, should not be
let off leash. But, more so than some other
breeds, the Siberian’s desire to run, natural
inquisitiveness and friendly temperament
will often put him in peril. An open door
is an invitation to a Siberian, and that dash
across the street can prove deadly. Siberian
owners need sturdily fenced yards and
vigilance to make sure their dogs do not
end up on the losing side of an encounter
with a car.
In 1913, South Pole explorer Roald
Amundsen began to plan an expedition
to the North Pole. A man named Leon-
hard Seppala was enlisted to procure and
train the best of the Siberian dogs for the
upcoming expedition. While training,
Seppala competed and won the All-Alas-
ka Sweepstakes races in 1916 and 1918.
Upon the onset of World War I, Amund-
sen’s expedition was cancelled, and the
All-Alaska Sweepstakes races were also
curtailed. Seppala, however, continued
working with his Siberian Huskies, and
the name Seppala would become forever
tied to the Siberian Husky.
In the winter of 1925, there was an out-
break of Diphtheria in Nome. If there was
any hope in saving the children of Nome,
life-saving serum needed to get from
Anchorage to Nome. But, the waterways
were frozen and the weather was too bad
for flight. The serum could be sent by train
from Anchorage only as far as the railway
end in Nenana, some 600 miles short of its
goal. A dog team relay was the best solu-
tion to convey the serum the remaining
frozen distance.
On January 27, 1925, twenty mushers
and 150 dogs participated in this life-sav-
ing relay. For five and a half days, teams of
mushers and dogs crossed Alaska through
the harshness of an arctic winter. The
longest and most difficult leg was run by
Leonhard Seppala and his team of Sibe-
rian Huskies, led by Togo. They began
in Nome and raced 170 miles, over the
frozen Norton Sound to meet the team
with the serum. Then, with the serum,
they turned back toward Nome and ran
another 91 miles to meet the next team.
Temperatures were 30 degrees below zero
(Fahrenheit) with wind chill tempera-
tures of minus 80 degrees. On February
1st, a sled driven by Gunnar Kaason and
led by Balto arrived in Nome with the
serum. All told, the serum traveled 674
miles by dog sled in a record-setting five
days and seven hours, through blizzard
conditions. Today’s Iditarod Trail Sled
Dog race commemorates this 1925 Serum
Run and there are frequently all-Siberian
teams competing in this annual event.
In 1925, these valiant Siberian dogs
demonstrated to the world the capability
of the breed. Fanciers are justifiably proud
of their accomplishments on the trail,
which require not only endurance, but also
intelligence. Often in whiteout conditions,
a musher must rely solely on the dogs to
keep the team safe and get them home.
Therefore, these dogs, although working
in concert with people, are often the ones
in charge.
These dogs are ready, willing, and able
to take charge. Siberians generally learn
quickly, but often find no reason to dem-
onstrate this knowledge; like showing you
they can come when called. Everyone must
realize that today’s Siberian Huskies are
less than 100 years removed from those
1925 Serum Run dogs. Smart owners will
soon realize that behaviors that coincide
with their inherent skills are more easily
learned and often more readily demon-
strated. In short, Siberians are not often
good at retrieving balls, but are great jog-
ging companions!
The story of the 1925 Serum Run was a major news story in the continental US, promting tours by
some mushers and dogs. This is Loenhard Seppala’s team on tour in Cleveland, Ohio with Fritz and
Togo in lead.
The 1910 Alaska Sweepstakes winning team of
Siberian Huskies.
220 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013