The Siberian Husky is the smallest and fastest of the arctic sled dog breeds. It was developed over a 3000 year period by the Chukchi people of Siberia, Eskimo like people who settled in the Kolyma River Basin in Northern Siberia. A nomadic, hunting people, the Chukchi required a dog which could withstand both the extreme arctic winters and the warm Siberian summers; could work amicably as part of a large team; could pull light loads over long distances at moderate speed; and which could live happily in the tents and igloos with the Chukchi and their children. Unlike the Eskimos who migrated Eastward to Greenland, who left their dogs outside and very much to themselves, the Chukchis used their dogs as transportation, as guard dogs for their possessions and as pets for their children. The result breed was the dog we now know as the Siberian Husky and with their intelligent breeding system employed by them resulted in continued improvement and a strain which remained pure for more than 2,000 years. The breed started its new career as a working, racing, showing and pet dog after numbers were imported into the US, Canada and Alaska in the early years of the 20th Century, to work in the Goldfields and compete in the developing sport of sled dog racing.

Siberians came to public prominence in 1925 when, amongst other sled dogs, they took part in the famous "Serum Run" race against time, to Nome , a remote coastal town in Alaska . An epidemic of diptheria had broken out in Nome and the only way of getting vaccine to Nome in the depths of the Alaskan winter was by dog sled. Although many mushers and their dog teams took part in this heroic venture, history records that one man, Leonhard Seppala a Norwegian man and his team of Siberian Huskies, played a pivotal role in its success. Seppala and his team ran more than six times as far as any other team – 340 miles in all - in the worst weather conditions that the Alaskan winter could throw at them. This feat of strength, stamina and fortitude, more than anything sums up the capabilities of the Siberian Husky. Behind the beautiful exterior and friendly manner lie muscles of steel, a tireless spirit and a timeless desire to run.

The Siberian Husky was first registerd as a recognised pure breed in 1930 in the U.S.A. The breed standard was wrote to incorporate all the features that were needed for the Siberian Huskies original function which is to run long distances carrying moderate loads in arctic condintions. Even though the breed standard that we use today is a far cry from the original huskies of the chukchi people it still encorporates the key features behind the breed.

The very first Siberians arrived in the UK in the 1940’s, but it was not until the 1960’s that more dogs were imported and their establishment as a breed here in the UK was assured.

Some old pictures of huskies:

Some pictures of huskies and chukchi people:

Picture of a Siberian Husky representing the breed standard for us:

CH U'Catcher Dream of Baker Lake

Some links to great infomation on the origin and the correct way a Siberian Husky should be:

"The Dreamcatcher articles page" A bit of straight but correct talking by Mr Mick Brent.

"Kossoks standard and analysis page" Even we understand the breed standard from this.

Seppala story.

Famous Seppala Dogs.

Togo As he is now at the Iditarod Museum In Wasilla- Alaska

Fritz The unsung hero as he is now at the Carrie M McLain Memorial in Nome, Alaska

Balto At Central Park.

Balto with the Quackenbush Twins in Seattle

Balto As he is now at the Cleveland Museum of National History - Ohio