The Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky’s origins can be traced to the ancient Chukchi sled dogs of the Kolyma River Basin in northern Siberia. The breed was developed and encouraged by the Chukchi people, an ancient tribe whose culture was based on the long-distance sled dog.

These origins began some 2,000 years ago and evolved in the harsh conditions and climate of that region. The Chukchi’s sled dogs were required to travel enormous distances in order to hunt for their survival. They were bred to pull light loads at moderate speeds over incredible distances on relatively little food, and are the smallest of all native sled dogs.

The Chukchi people valued their good, fast dogs highly and often traded amongst each other at the Markovo Fair, held on the Anadyr River. However, such was the isolation and lifestyle of the tribe, that it was not until the late 19th Century when fur trading and then the Gold Rush at the turn of the 20th Century made their influence on the breed that became known as the ‘Siberian Husky’.

In 1908 it happened that a Russian fur trader, Goosak, returned to Nome with nine Siberian Chukchi dogs for the purpose of entering the 1909 All Alaska Sweepstakes Race, but it was Fox Maule Ramsay who imported the first selected teams of Siberian Huskies into Alaska in 1909. The second son of the 13th Earl of Dalhousie, he had come from Scotland to supervise the family investments in the gold fields. Fascinated by the excitement of sled dog racing and having seen Goosak’s small Chukchi dogs, he chartered a schooner and went to the Markovo Fair, selecting 70 of the best dogs there.

The results of the 1910 All Alaska Sweepstakes were momentous. Ramsay’s three teams were placed first, second and fourth, setting a record that has never been beaten.

The Siberian Husky had arrived! These 70 dogs chosen by Fox Maule Ramsay formed the foundation of what is known today as the Siberian Husky.

When Ramsay left the Klondike he sold his dogs to a young Swede, Leonhard Seppala, who was later acknowledged to be the greatest dog driver of all time. His daring 658 mile leg of the famous serum relay won him and Siberian Huskies international acclaim, whilst saving the township of Nome from an outbreak of diphtheria.

Leonhard Seppala was the first to introduce Siberian Huskies into the United States out of Alaska when he came to New England in the 1920’s with his team. His dogs won every race and their beauty, speed and temperament intrigued American racing enthusiasts. Seppala, along with Mrs. Elizabeth Ricker, began breeding Siberian Huskies. More were obtained from Alaska and thus the breed began.

Date:01 Oct 2000