The Chukchi tribe of the great northern expanses in Siberia was the nomadic tribe which bred the Siberian Husky dogs. The tribe was well known for their remarkable aptitude for breeding these fine dogs as early as 3000 years ago. They were a people who lived inland and hunted along the coastal shores and they used the dogs for pulling back the game, many times over very long distances. Their dogs were bred purely and selectively and consequently the Siberian Husky of today is very directly descended from the original dogs belonging to the Chukchi tribe.
The dog was little known in the United States or in Europe until the first "Alaska Sweepstakes" (later known as the Iditarod) was run and a team of Siberian huskies won. In later expeditions to the North Pole, the Siberian was a major player also. This beautiful and intelligent breed became a favorite of the Russian explorers and was extensively used throughout Siberia. For many years it was known as the "Chukchi" dog, but in the United States the name "Siberian Husky " was coined, while in Great Britain the same breed was often called the "Arctic Husky".
The Siberian Husky is a strikingly beautiful dog. The eyes are almond shaped and slightly slanted, the skull is clean and refined, with very soft upright well furred ears lending an intelligent and alert look to the head. Often there is a definite mask and sometimes the eyes are a pale blue or golden yellow in color. The coat is soft and densely furred and can be of any color, usually very symmetrically marked. He is a medium sized dog, classed as a "working dog" with great stamina and speed being the hallmark of the breed. Because of his close association with the Chukchi tribe, being considered a "member of the family", he is a very people oriented dog and does not have as strong a "pack mentality" as for example the Alaskan Malamute and some of the other husky breeds who were bred to pull in a pack exclusively.
The Siberian Husky entered the American Kennel Club registry in 1930 and his popularity has grown beyond that of being only a Show Dog. He is used extensively as a Therapy Dog, doing well in Obedience and Agility and is of course also used still as a racing sled dog. The "Sibe" as he is affectionately termed, is a friendly and completely amiable dog, quite easy to train and very willing to please. Temperamentally he is non-aggressive to other dogs and to people. He is comparatively easy to groom, for even though he has a thick coat it is not excessively long and is simple to maintain for it seldom mats and is completely weather proof. Besides all of that, he is a healthy breed which has very few genetic anomalies or inherited problems. He is an adaptable dog, but definitely needs plenty of exercise, for he was bred to be a working dog and needs to be kept busy or he will find something to occupy himself with. He is above all an "easy keeper" and a happy companion dog who loves to work for his master.
When Jack London wrote the novel "Call Of The Wild", the main canine character "Buck" was more than likely a dog which had at least some Alaskan Malamute in his bloodline. This dog is a native of Alaska, tracing his roots back to the Mahlemut tribe , an ancient Indian culture which is seldom mentioned without a mention also of their faithful dogs. These dogs helped them with almost every aspect of their daily living, from fishing and hunting to hauling in the hunt. The Alaskan Malamute is just one representative of the many different breeds which were used in the settling of the great territory of Alaska, a region whose vast reaches of inhospitable climate required a beast of burden who could live off the land, who had great speed and who could pull heavy loads. The fact that there were already large numbers of dogs being used for these purposes made it natural that the cold reaches of the northern territory would be mostly explored and populated with the help of the dogs.
There is a historical possibility that the Alaskan Malamute, one of the largest of the sledge dogs, owes some of his size and strength to the Arctic Wolf, a very large white animal nearly twice the size of the Alaska Malamute. This may be true or not. Crosses are routinely engineered today in captivity, but no one really knows whether such a cross would occur in the wild. If it is true that he descended from a cross with the wolves, this may account for his strong acceptance of being a "pack dog" in the sled dog teams and his willingness to be within such a group. There are few "societies" of animals which are as similar in their interactions to human society than the "society" of a team of sled dogs. In the animal kingdom, the society of wolves is very similar. Despite his "pack" mentality, the Alaskan Malamute possess an affinity to humans, loving not only to work for man, but loving humankind altogether and without reserve.
The Alaskan Malamute is a beautifully marked dog, with sharp contrast of white and black or white and gray, with the darker colors being grizzled with silvery tips on the ends of the hairs. He gives the impression of great strength and heavy bone, even though he is not particularly tall and is not considered a giant breed like the Mastiff or the Newfoundland. His height is 25 inches at the shoulder. The coat is double and dense and off standing, one or two inches in length all over the body with a large ruff around the neck of longer hair, providing weather resistant protection against the elements. Weekly brushing is required for good coat care and skin health.
The Alaskan Malamute has a long history of being a companion to man, so it is no wonder that he is so affectionate. He is one of the dogs that often excels as a Therapy Dog, seeming to have an understanding of people that is beyond the norm and many people react to this large, loving, bushy haired dog in the same way. He has gained popularity as a pet in the rural areas and loves to go on camping trips with his family, or jogging, or almost any outdoor activity. In the city this is a dog that brings admirers while out walking and can do quite well in a townhouse or apartment as long as he is exercised daily.
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