About Siberian Huskies
Originated from the Anadyr River and the surrounding regions of Eastern Siberia, Siberian Huskies made way to our shores through importation to Alaska in 1908 during the gold rush. They were primarily used as sled dogs, traversing great distances of over 408 miles (657 km).
Due to their natural built, agility, and high energy, the dogs immediately dominated in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes, a sled race from Nome to Candle and back. Leonhard Seppala, the foremost breeder of these Siberian sled dogs, participated in various competitions from 1909 to the mid-1920s and won numerous championships.
1925 Serum Run: the Great Race of Mercy
On February 3, 1925, final musher Gunnar Kaasen delivered diphtheria serum from Nenana to Nome (over 600 miles). Thanks to the efforts of several Siberian Huskies and their mushers, the medicine was distributed to the city, with Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog Togo covering the most dangerous segment of the run.
The event was depicted in the 2019 film Togo and was loosely depicted in the 1995 animated film Balto, named after Kaasen’s lead dog. Balto was honored with a bronze statue erected at Central Park in New York City.
Recognition
In 1930, the American Kennel Club recognized the Siberian Husky as one of the many dog breeds. Nine years later, the breed was registered in Canada and then was recognized in 1938 as the Arctic Husky by the United Kennel Club, eventually changing its name to Siberian Husky in 1991.
Operation Highjump
In 1933, Navy Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd took a team of Huskies on an expedition, hoping to journey around the 16,000-mile coast of Antarctica. The Siberian Huskies accomplished this historic trek due to their compact size and greater speeds.
Popularity
Siberian Huskies served the United States Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of the Air Transport Command during World War II.
In 1960, the U.S. Army undertook a construction project for a defense and space research facility called Camp Century. Part of Project Iceworm, it involved an over 150-people crew with their unofficial mascot, a Siberian Husky named Mukluk.
Siberian Huskies were also extensively used by the British Antarctic Survey as sled dogs between 1945 and 1994. A bronze monument was erected outside of their Cambridge headquarters to honor their dog teams.
The American Kennel Club ranked the breed’s popularity at 16th in 2012 and 14th in 2013.
