| Alaskan husky | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) An Alaskan husky resting during a run at Riley Creek Campground inDenali National Park and Preserve, Denali Park, AK | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | United States (Alaska) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Breed status | Not recognized as abreed by any majorkennel club. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||
TheAlaskan husky is a breed of medium-sized workingsled dog, developed specifically for its performance as such.[1][2][3]
Alaskan huskies are the most commonly used type of dog for competitivesled dog racing, both in short-distance sprint racing as well as long-distance expedition races such as theIditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,[4] theYukon Quest,[5] and theFinnmarkslopet.
The Alaskan husky is not an officially recognized breed by anykennel club, nor does it have a formal breed standard.[6] Unlike breeds developed for the show ring, the Alaskan husky is instead a product of careful selection for desirable sled dog traits from various other breeds, such as aptitude for pulling, endurance, speed, intelligence, appetite, and tolerance of extreme weather.[7][8] As a result of this specific and mindful performance-only based breeding, DNA studies show that Alaskan Huskies share a genetic signature and indeed can be identified accurately on DNA breed tests.[9]
The Alaskan husky is an incredibly athletic dog variety, and as a dog crossbreed, their appearance can vary markedly, although various lines have been bred for multiple generations and still breed very true to that line's type.[10] Some Alaskan husky lines have very traditional huskyspitz-like features with pointed ears and curled tails, while other lines more closely resemble theirhound orgundog heritage with tipped or floppy ears, straight tails and tucked upsighthound-like loins.[11][12] As they are not bred with conformation in mind, cosmetic features are not a consideration for breeding, and these features instead tend to follow the purpose of the dog's intended style of sled work.
Generally Alaskan huskies are taller thanSiberian Huskies and are lighter in build thanAlaskan Malamutes, both of whom they share lineage with and are descended from. On average they stand between 20 and 26 inches (51 and 66 cm) and weigh between 35 and 75 pounds (16 and 34 kg).[11][12] Tough feet are an important feature and desirable trait for breeding consideration. As with their build, the Alaskan husky's coat can vary greatly; they usually have double coats with all colors and patterns of colors seen within various lines.[11][12] Distance-type Alaskan huskies often have denser double coats to better contend with cold temperatures and harsh wind, whereas sprint lines have shorter coats to allow for greater heat dissipation during races at high speeds.
It is common for distance-type Alaskan huskies to be outfitted with dog coats and dog booties during long expeditions and races, in order to regulate temperature and protect the dog's feet from ice and rough terrain.[5] The use of dog coats has become more common into the late 20th and early 21st centuries as even the distance lines have been bred for greater speed, sacrificing some of the heavier and more dense protective double-coat of theirArctic breed ancestors.
As European traders and settlers arrived in Alaska they sought local entertainment, and turned to racing the local means of transportation, sled dogs.[10] Indigenous dogs found throughoutAlaska were renowned for their great strength and stamina, but lacked speed, so various outcrosses to fleeter Old World breeds were utilized to produce faster-running dogs, includingSiberian imports who dominated local organized races in Alaska.[13] Since the beginning of the 20th century, various breeders have turned to various outcrosses to produce different lines of racing dogs. Most lines today contain some form of traditional husky heritage in their bloodlines, Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies being the most common, althoughMackenzie River huskies,Greenland Dogs, andSamoyeds have also been utilized.[10][12]
In the latter half of the 20th century the primary use of sled dogs shifted from utility to sport, particularly career competitive sled dog racing. In order to facilitate greater speed for racing sport, various breeds ofgundogs andsighthounds have now been bred into Alaskan husky lines, includingPointers,Greyhounds,German Shorthaired Pointers,Salukis,Borzois,Labradors andSetters; some breeders have even usedwolves at various points.[10][12][11]
Genetic studies indicate that the Alaskan Husky originates from pre-Colonial North American Arctic village dogs (including precursors to the Alaskan Malamute) and Siberian imports (precursors to the Siberian Husky), crossbred with European breeds such asPointers,German Shepherd Dogs, andSalukis to improve its performance.[9][8]
In 2015, aDNA study indicated that the Alaskan husky, theSiberian Husky, and theAlaskan Malamute share a close genetic relationship between each other and were related toChukotka sled-dogs fromSiberia. They were separate from the twoInuit dogs: theCanadian Eskimo Dog and theGreenland Dog. The Siberian Husky and the Malamute both had maintained their Siberian lineage and had contributed significantly to the Alaskan husky, which was developed through crossing withEuropean breeds.[8]
Other breeds identified as having contributed to the Alaskan husky sled dog gene pool include Pointers, and a number of other non-arctic breeds by breed and type group. Genetic variation in the Alaskan husky has been analyzed based on the groupings of two purpose-driven distinct populations within the Alaskan sled dog gene pool: a distance group, and a sprint group:[9]
.jpg)
The Alaskan husky has selectively been bred specifically for its athletic performance.[14][5] As such, its level of athletic ability, as well asanabolic efficiency are far greater than the average domesticated dog, especially in endurance feats. Distance-specialist Alaskan huskies out-speed most animals and all other types of sled dogs when running distances of 50 miles or greater, even while pulling moderately sized loads.[5] Studies on the metabolic capabilities in working Alaskan husky sled dogs reveal that their system transitions to utilization of low-glucose energy sources (from high-glycogen carbohydrates) early on during long periods of travel, and their reliance on these low-glucose fuels (such as those higher in fats and proteins) continue and even extend to become more pronounced after working for longer periods.[14] A good appetite is a highly desirable trait, and is emphasized in breeding choices.[15]
Like most working sled dogs, Alaskan huskies are capable of pulling far greater than their own body weight in load while in harness. Sprint teams of Alaskan huskies are capable of speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h),[16] whereas distance-specialist teams have completed 938 mile (1510 km) races in just 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds with time including 40 hours of mandatory rests and other routine rests on the trail.[17]
As specifically purposed working sled dogs, Alaskan huskies can be subject to climate or work-specific health conditions that any sled dogs may experience, such as temperature-relatedbronchitis or bronchopulmonary ailments, also known as "ski asthma".[18]
In 2020, the largest study of "canine hematologic and serum biochemical analytes" to date was published, including within it the largest data set of healthy athlete dogs; the dogs of reference were 4,804 sled dogs training for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the overwhelming majority of which were Alaskan huskies.[19] The study found that anti-aging and anti-inflammatory biochemical levels in the dogs increased over time and with training, enhancing the dogs' physical and mental abilities until an average of 6.6 years of age. Despite noted differences in sex, genetic, and age groups in other areas, they were not statistically significant and were outside the scope of the study, making them scientifically inconclusive despite their observance.[19]
The behaviors and temperament of the Alaskan husky can vary greatly due to the wide range of genetic backgrounds and bred-purposes within the breed. As with all sled dogs, a desire to pull and run are essential and are of high priority in decisions of breeding. Mental soundness is also important due to the need for dogs to be in close quarters with other dogs while hooked in the team, handled by people for proper care and transportation, and for dogs on racing teams to perform under environments which include trails crowded with spectators and other dog teams.[15]
As dogs selectively-bred for their ability as working sled dogs without direct physical feedback from the driver, intelligence and problem solving are highly desired in a specimen and are often marks of talented lead dogs, which are often those with the highest consideration as breeding prospects. Dogs are expected to read the trail and situation through instincts and experience, and thus superior cognitive abilities are often bred into Alaskan husky lines in tandem with physical athletic attributes.[20]
The Alaskan husky is the mascot ofLouis E. Dieruff High School inAllentown, Pennsylvania.
.jpg)