Husky

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Dogsled huskies at rest after racing Huskiesatrest.jpg
Dogsled huskies at rest after racing

Husky is a general term for a dog used in the polar regions, primarily and specifically for work as sled dogs. It refers to a traditional northern type, notable for its cold-weather tolerance and overall hardiness. [1] [2] Modern racing huskies that maintain arctic breed traits (also known as Alaskan huskies) represent an ever-changing crossbreed of the fastest dogs. [3] [4]

Contents

Huskies have continued to be used in sled-dog racing, as well as expedition and trek style tour businesses, and as a means of essential transportation in rural communities. [5] Huskies are also kept as pets, and groups work to find new pet homes for retired racing and adventure-trekking dogs. [6]

History

Labrador huskies being fed by Inuit men Three inuit men feeding Labrador huskies in Nain, Canada.jpg
Labrador huskies being fed by Inuit men

Nearly all dogs' genetic closeness to the gray wolf is due to admixture. [7] However, several Arctic breeds also show a genetic closeness with the now-extinct Taimyr wolf of North Asia due to admixture: the Siberian Husky and Greenland Dog (which are also historically associated with Arctic human populations) and to a lesser extent, the Shar Pei and Finnish Spitz. An admixture graph of the Greenland Dog indicates a best-fit of 3.5% shared material; however, an ancestry proportion ranging between 1.4% and 27.3% is consistent with the data and indicates admixture between the Taimyr wolf and the ancestors of these four high-latitude breeds.

This introgression could have provided early dogs living in high latitudes with phenotypic variation beneficial for adaption to a new and challenging environment, contributing significantly to the development of the husky. It also indicates that the ancestry of present-day dog breeds descends from more than one region. [8]

Etymology

A Siberian Husky with heterochromia DOG-HUSKY 23JUL00.jpg
A Siberian Husky with heterochromia

The term "husky" first came into usage in the mid to late 1700s. At this time, "Esquimaux" or "Eskimo" was a common term for pre-Columbian Arctic inhabitants of North America. Several dialectal permutations were in use including Uskee, Uskimay and Huskemaw. Thus, dogs used by Arctic people were the dogs of the Huskies, the Huskie's dogs, and eventually simply the husky dogs. [9] [10] Canadian and American settlers, not well versed on Russian geography, would later extend the word to Chukotka sled dogs imported from Russia, thus giving rise to the term Siberian husky.

Characteristics

Huskies are energetic and athletic. They are distinguished by their hardiness and cold-weather tolerance, in contrast to many modern sprint sled dogs derived from hound and pointer crossbreeds and purebred sprinting dogs which do not have or retain these qualities. [11] Likewise, they are distinguished from laika, as they were not developed for the primary purpose of hunting game and prey animals. [12]

Huskies typically have a thick double coat that may come in a variety of colors. [13] The double coat generally protects huskies against harsh winters and, contrary to what most believe, they can survive in hotter climates. During the hotter climates, huskies tend to shed their undercoat regularly to cool their bodies. In addition to shedding, huskies control their eating habits based on the season; in cooler climates, they tend to eat generous amounts, causing their digestion to generate heat, whilst in warmer climates, they eat less. [14] Their eyes are typically pale blue, although they may also be brown, green, blue, yellow, or heterochromic. Huskies are more prone to some degree of uveitis than most other breeds. [15]

Breeds

An Alaskan husky Alaskan husky (1815096882).jpg
An Alaskan husky

This is a list of dog breeds which contain "husky" in their name. To see a complete list of sled breeds, see Sled dog.

Alaskan husky

The most commonly used dog in dog sled racing, [16] the Alaskan husky is a mongrel [17] bred specifically for its performance as a sled dog. [18] The modern Alaskan husky reflects 100 years or more of crossbreeding with English Pointers, German Shepherd Dogs, Salukis and other breeds to improve its performance. [19] They typically weigh between 18 and 34 kg (40 and 75 lb) and may have dense or sleek fur. Alaskan huskies bear little resemblance to the typical husky breeds they originated from, or to each other. [18]

Labrador huskies Labrador huskies.JPG
Labrador huskies

Labrador Husky

The Labrador Husky originated in the Canadian region of Labrador. The breed probably arrived in the area with the Inuit who came to Canada around 1300 AD. Despite the name, Labrador huskies are not related to the Labrador retriever, but in fact most closely related to the Canadian Eskimo Dog. There are estimated to be 50–60 Labrador huskies in the world. [20] [21]

Mackenzie River Husky

The term Mackenzie River husky describes several overlapping historical populations of Arctic and sub-Arctic sled dog-type dogs, none of which constituted a breed. Dogs from the Yukon Territory were crossed with large European breeds such as St. Bernards and Newfoundlands to create a powerful freighting dog capable of surviving harsh arctic conditions during the Klondike Gold Rush. [22]

Sakhalin Husky Memorial in Japan Sakhalin Husky Antarctic Memorial.jpg
Sakhalin Husky Memorial in Japan

Sakhalin Husky

The Sakhalin Husky is a critically endangered landrace and sled laika associated with Sakhalin Island and adjacent areas. [23] [24] [25] They are also known Karafuto Ken, Sakhalin Laika, or Gilyak Laika. [26] While bred primarily as a sled dog, Sakhalin Huskies are also used for hunting bear and fishing. [18] [25] There are approximately 20 Sakhalin Huskies remaining on Sakhalin Island. [25]

Siberian Husky

A black and white Siberian Husky Siberian Husky with Blue Eyes.jpg
A black and white Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is smaller than the similar-appearing Alaskan Malamute. They are descendants of the Chukotka sled dogs bred and used by the native Chukchi people of Siberia, a people of Paleosiberian origin, around the year 2000 BC. [27] Imported to Alaska in the early 1900s, they were used as working dogs and racing sled dogs in Nome, Alaska throughout the 1910s, often dominating the All-Alaska Sweepstakes. [28] They later became widely bred by recreational mushers and show-dog fanciers in the U.S. and Canada as the Siberian Husky, after the popularity garnered from the 1925 serum run to Nome. [29] Siberians stand 20–23.5 inches, weigh between 35 and 60lbs (35-50 for females, 45-60 for males), and have been selectively bred for both appearance and pulling ability. [30] They are still used regularly today as sled dogs by competitive, recreational, and tour-guide mushers. [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siberian Husky</span> Dog breed

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working sled dog breed. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furred double coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings, and is smaller than the similar-looking Alaskan Malamute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race</span> Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, more commonly known as The Iditarod, is an annual long-distance sled dog race held in Alaska in early March. It travels from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers and a team of between 12 and 16 dogs, of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 8–15 days or more. The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams but evolved into today's highly competitive race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sled dog</span> Working dog

A sled dog is a dog trained and used to pull a land vehicle in harness, most commonly a sled over snow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaskan Malamute</span> Dog breed

The Alaskan Malamute is a large breed of dog that was originally bred for its strength and endurance, to haul heavy freight as a sled dog. It is similar to other arctic breeds such as the husky, the spitz, the Greenland Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, the Siberian Husky, and the Samoyed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sled dog racing</span> Sport

Sled dog racing is a winter dog sport most popular in the Arctic regions of the United States, Canada, Russia, Greenland and some European countries. It involves the timed competition of teams of sled dogs that pull a sled with the dog driver or musher standing on the runners. The team completing the marked course in the least time is judged the winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mackenzie River husky</span> Dog breed

Mackenzie River husky describes several overlapping historical populations of Arctic and sub-Arctic sled dog originally bred to support fur traders for Hudson's Bay Company and later prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. A mixture of native sled dogs and European freighting dogs, Mackenzie River huskies were prized for their ability to haul heavy loads long distances in the snow with minimal care. Since the advent of modern mechanized travel in the Arctic, moving cargo by dogsled has become nearly obsolete and only small populations of these dogs still exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dog sled</span> Sled pulled by one or more sled dogs

A dog sled or dog sleigh is a sled pulled by one or more sled dogs used to travel over ice and through snow. Numerous types of sleds are used, depending on their function. They can be used for dog sled racing. Traditionally in Greenland and the eastern Canadian Arctic the Inuit had the dogs pull in a fan shape in front of the sled, while in other regions, such as Alaska and the western part of Northern Canada the dogs pull side by side in pairs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenland Dog</span> Dog breed

The Greenland Dog is a large breed of husky-type dog kept as a sled dog. They were brought from Siberia to North America by the Thule people 1,000 years ago, along with the Canadian Eskimo Dog. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is considered the same breed as the Greenland Dog since they have not yet diverged enough genetically to be considered separate breeds, despite their geographic isolation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dog crossbreed</span> Dog type

Dog crossbreeds are dogs which have been intentionally bred from two or more recognized dog breeds. They are not dogs with no purebred ancestors, but are not otherwise recognised as breeds in their own right, and do not necessarily breed true.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurohound</span> Dog breed

A Eurohound is a type of dog bred for sled dog racing. The eurohound is crossbred from the Alaskan husky and any of a number of pointing breeds ("pointers"), but most often the German Shorthair Pointer,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Eskimo Dog</span> Dog breed

The Canadian Eskimo Dog or Canadian Inuit Dog is a breed of working dog from the Arctic. Other names include qimmiq or qimmit. The Greenland Dog is considered the same breed as the Canadian Eskimo Dog since they have not yet diverged enough genetically to be considered separate breeds, despite their geographic isolation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Togo (dog)</span> Sled dog who ran in the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska

Togo was the lead sled dog of musher Leonhard Seppala and his dog sled team in the 1925 serum run to Nome across central and northern Alaska. Despite covering a far greater distance than any other lead dogs on the run, over some of the most dangerous parts of the trail, his role was left out of contemporary news of the event at the time, in favor of the lead dog for the last leg of the relay, Balto, whom Seppala also owned and had bred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonhard Seppala</span> Norwegian-American sled dog breeder, trainer, and musher (1877–1967)

Leonhard "Sepp" Seppala was a Norwegian-Kven-American sled dog breeder, trainer and musher who with his dogs played a pivotal role in the 1925 serum run to Nome, and participated in the 1932 Winter Olympics. Seppala introduced the work dogs used by Native Siberians at the time to the American public; the breed came to be known as the Siberian Husky in the English-speaking world. The Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which honors excellence in sled dog care, is named in honour of him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sakhalin Husky</span> Dog breed

The Sakhalin Husky is a critically endangered landrace and sled laika associated with Sakhalin Island and adjacent areas. They are also known Karafuto Ken, Sakhalin Laika, or Gilyak Laika. While bred primarily as a sled dog, Sakhalin Huskies are also used for hunting bear and fishing. In 1989, there were approximately 20 Sakhalin Huskies remaining on Sakhalin Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramy Brooks</span> Alaska Native dog musher, kennel owner, and motivational speaker

Ramy "Ray" Brooks is an Alaska Native kennel owner and operator, motivational speaker, and dog musher who specializes in long-distance races. He is a two-time runner up in the 1,049+ mi Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across the U.S. state of Alaska, and a former winner of the 1,000 mi (1,600 km) Yukon Quest dog sled race across both Canada and the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greyster</span> Dog breed

The Greyster is a type of sled dog bred for sled dog racing, especially dryland sports like canicross and bikejoring. The greyster is crossbred from the Greyhound and the German Shorthair Pointer.

John Suter is a retired American sled dog racer most notable for having mushed standard poodles in various sled races, including the Iditarod. His use of poodles led directly to new and current Iditarod rules that stipulate what breeds of dogs are qualified to race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaskan husky</span> Dog breed

The Alaskan husky is a breed of medium-sized working sled dog, developed specifically for its performance as such.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chukotka sled dog</span> Dog breed

The Chukotka Sled Dog is the aboriginal spitz breed of dog indigenous to the Chukchi people of Russia.

References

  1. ↑ H., Bonham, Margaret (2001). Northern breeds. Barron's. OCLC   1245640121.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Sled Dog Central : A Deeper History of the Origins of the Alaskan Husky by Stephanie Little Wolf". www.sleddogcentral.com. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  3. ↑ Schultz, Jeff (28 January 2003). Dogs of the Iditarod. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. p.  41. ISBN   1-57061-292-7.
  4. ↑ D. K. (2013-10-01). The dog encyclopedia. Dennis-Bryan, Kim, Baggaley, Ann, John, Katie, DK Publishing, Inc. (First American ed.). New York. p. 103. ISBN   9781465421166. OCLC   859155647.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ Neary, Kathleen (2008-01-14). "How Sled Dogs Work" . Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Keith, Christie (18 February 2011). "Lessons from a sled dog massacre". sfgate. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Freedman, A. H.; Gronau, I.; Schweizer, R. M.; Ortega-Del Vecchyo, D.; Han, E.; Silva, P. M.; Galaverni, M.; Fan, Z.; Marx, P.; Lorente-Galdos, B.; Beale, H.; Ramirez, O.; Hormozdiari, F.; Alkan, C.; Vilà, C.; Squire, K.; Geffen, E.; Kusak, J.; Boyko, A. R.; Parker, H. G.; Lee, C.; Tadigotla, V.; Siepel, A.; Bustamante, C. D.; Harkins, T. T.; Nelson, S. F.; Ostrander, E. A.; Marques-Bonet, T.; Wayne, R. K.; Novembre, J. (2014). "Genome Sequencing Highlights the Dynamic Early History of Dogs". PLOS Genetics. 10 (1): e1004016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004016 . PMC   3894170 . PMID   24453982.
  8. ↑ Skoglund, P.; Ersmark, E.; Palkopoulou, E.; Dalén, L. (2015). "Ancient Wolf Genome Reveals an Early Divergence of Domestic Dog Ancestors and Admixture into High-Latitude Breeds". Current Biology. 25 (11): 1515–9. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.04.019 . PMID   26004765.
  9. ↑ Harper, Kenn (2007-09-28). "The Evolution of a Word Husky". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  10. ↑ Dalziel, Hugh (1879). British dogs; their varieties, history, characteristics, breeding, management and exhibition. University of California Libraries. London, The bazaar office. pp. 205–213.
  11. ↑ Brown, S K; Darwent, C M; Wictum, E J; Sacks, B N (2015-06-24). "Using multiple markers to elucidate the ancient, historical and modern relationships among North American Arctic dog breeds". Heredity. 115 (6): 488–495. doi:10.1038/hdy.2015.49. ISSN   0018-067X. PMC   4806895 . PMID   26103948.
  12. ↑ VLADIMIR., BEREGOVOY (2019). HUNTING LAIKA BREEDS OF RUSSIA. ROSEDOG PR. ISBN   978-1-64426-696-0. OCLC   1231601344.
  13. ↑ The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009 online http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/husky.aspx
  14. ↑ "Eating Habits of Siberian Huskies". Pets - The Nest. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  15. ↑ Uveodermatologic syndrome, http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/courses/vet_eyes/conotes/con_chapter_11.html Archived 2012-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ↑ "Sled Dogs: An Alaskan Epic ~ About | Nature | PBS". Nature. 1999-11-21. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  17. ↑ "Sled Dogs in the North | Yukon Quest". www.yukonquest.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  18. 1 2 3 Cary, Bob (2009). Born to pull : the glory of sled dogs. Internet Archive. Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press. ISBN   978-0-8166-6773-4.
  19. ↑ Brown, S K; Darwent, C M; Wictum, E J; Sacks, B N (December 2015). "Using multiple markers to elucidate the ancient, historical and modern relationships among North American Arctic dog breeds". Heredity. 115 (6): 488–495. doi:10.1038/hdy.2015.49. ISSN   0018-067X. PMC   4806895 . PMID   26103948.
  20. ↑ Hoyles, Samantha (Summer 2017). "The Great Labrador Husky". Inside Labrador: 60–64.
  21. ↑ Losey, Robert J.; Wishart, Robert P.; Loovers, Jan Peter Laurens, eds. (2018-06-13). Dogs in the North: Stories of Cooperation and Co-Domestication. Routledge.
  22. ↑ MacQuarrie, Gordon (December 1997). "Kenai, Dog of Alaska". The Gordon MacQuarrie Sporting Treasury: 98–99.
  23. ↑ breedbarks.com (2024-12-09). "Sakhalin Husky Dog Breed Complete Information" . Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  24. ↑ Yasko, Kirill (2015-10-31). "Последний каюр псов Карафуто. Сахалин.Инфо" [The Last Musher of the Karafuto Dogs]. sakhalin.info (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  25. 1 2 3 Пасюков, Пётр (2020-10-08). "БЕЛЫЙ СОН" [White Dream]. ОСТРОВ 2049 (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  26. ↑ Панкстьянов, Даниил (2023-02-21). "На Сахалине пытаются сохранить уникальную породу собак" [On Sakhalin, they are trying to save a unique breed of dogs]. Комсомольская правда (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  27. ↑ "Siberian Husky". 15 December 2018.
  28. ↑ Thomas, Bob; Thomas, Pat (2015). Leonhard Seppala: the Siberian dog and the golden age of sleddog racing 1908-1941. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company. ISBN   978-1-57510-170-5. OCLC   931927411.
  29. ↑ "Siberian Husky History". Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  30. ↑ "The Siberian Husky Standard". Siberian Husky Club of America, Inc. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  31. ↑ "Do many Siberian Huskies run the Iditarod? If not, why? – Iditarod". iditarod.com. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
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