Siberian huskies are a type of working dog that originated form eastern Siberia. They are very unique in that they bear great resemblance to a wolf. Other identifiable features of a Siberian huskies are thickly furred double coat, upright triangular ears, various distinctive markings on their fur as well as a sickle shaped tail.
They are known to be very energetic and can withstand extreme cold. Their ability to live in both cold and hot weather by adjusting their body temperature has ensured the survival of the Siberian husky up to date.
Siberian huskies originated in eastern Siberia (as the name would suggest) and made their way around the word from this point. Their predecessors lived in the Siberian Arctic, one of the harshest places on earth.
It is these origins that accumulated in a strong and resilient species. They were originally bread by the Chukchi in Northern Asia. They used the Siberian huskies as working dogs, which pulled heavy loads through rough and snowy terrain. They were favored for their ability to withstand extremely cold weather as well as their high energy that got work done fast.
The dogs caught the attention of fur traders who worked in the area and exported them to other parts of the world. The dogs were then taken to Alaska, and later spread into the United States and Canada. The dogs were purposely used as sled dogs in both Canada and Alaska, a trend that still continues today. In the United States, Siberian huskies are mainly kept as pets.
The Siberian huskies are direct descendants of what are called the original sled dogs, and have not changed much in appearance or otherwise since the beginning of their existence. The name "husky" originated from the nickname "Esky" which is short for Eskimo. The word husky was originally used to describe Eskimos but with the popularity of the Siberian husky among these peoples, the word was used to describe their dogs.
These dogs ensured the survival of an entire people by providing them with reliable transport to look for food. The dogs also facilitated for the migration of Eskimos and other people. The migrating nature of humans also meant that the dogs spread around the world.
The Siberian huskies proved their worth in 1925 during an outbreak of diphtheria epidemic in Nome Alaska.
The dogs proved invaluable during this time as they were reliable in transporting medicine and personnel through otherwise inaccessible terrain. Doctors were able to give medicine to those most in need, a task that they accomplished successfully thanks to the Serbian huskies. It is after this event that the world really took notice of these dogs.
In the early 1900, Siberian huskies were used by Admiral Byrd during his famous expeditions in to the Antarctic. The dogs were also used by the army during the Second World War for rescue and retrieval purposes in the Arctic.
It is therefore clear why Siberian huskies are so well talked about and loved. They have proved to be invaluable through out history and up to date. These particular dogs have played a role as pets and work dogs. Siberian huskies continue to be admired for their beauty, intelligence and free spirit.
About the Author
I own a lovely Siberian husky and I love writing about them. You can learn more about husky training on my site.