Name origin
The word Husky originated from the word referring to Arctic
people in general, Eskimos (aka
Inuit), "...known as Huskies, a contraction of Huskimos, the pronunciation
given to the word "Eskimos" by the English sailors of trading
vessels." Use of Husky is recorded from 1852 for dogs kept by Inuit
people.
Characteristics
Husky type dogs are energetic and athletic. They usually
have a thick double coat that can be gray, black, copper red, or white.Huskies are known for
pale blue eyes, although they may also have brown eyes, green eyes, blue eyes,
or may even have yellow eyes. Huskies commonly have different colored eyes, a
trait called heterochromia of
the eye. Huskies are more commonly affected with some degree of uveitis than
other types of dogs.
History
Husky-type dogs were originally used to pull sleds and hunt
large game. Commonly thought to have descended closely from wolves of the
region.
Breeds
Husky type dogs originally were landrace breeds
kept by Arctic indigenous peoples. DNA analysis has
found that Huskies are one of the oldest types of dog, although one researcher
"questioned the assignment of dogs to the ancient breed group, saying that
any recent crossbreeding with wolves, as has happened with malamutes and
Siberian huskies, could make a breed look primitive.
Examples of these landraces in modern times have been
selectively bred and registered with various kennel clubs as modern purebred
breeds, including the Siberian
Husky andGreenland
Dog. The Sakhalin
Husky is a Japanese sled dog related to the Japanese Spitz and
Akita Inu. The Alaskan
Husky is a type of sled dog found in Alaska (rather than
Siberia or other Arctic areas) and the Mackenzie River Husky is a subtype referring to different
dog populations in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska and Canada.
Alternate activities
Since many owners now have Husky dogs as pets in settings
that are not ideal for sledding, other activities have been found which are
good for the dog and fun for the owner.
Skijoring is
an alternative to sled pulling, but mainly used in somewhat the same
environment as sledding with the exception that the owner (cross-country skier)
does not need a full pack in order to participate.
Dog
hiking is an alternative for owners who live closer to woodland
trails. The owner travels with their dogs along trails in the wilderness. This
activity allows the owner and dog to gain exercise without using the huskies'
strong sense of pulling. Some companies make hiking equipment especially for
dogs in which they may carry their own gear including water, food, and bowls
for each.
Carting,
also known as dryland mushing or sulky driving, is an urban alternative to dog
sledding. Here, the dog can pull a cart which contains either supplies or an
individual. These carts can be bought or hand-made by the individual.
Bikejoring is
an activity where the owner bikes along with their dog while they are attached
to their bike through a harness which keeps both the dog and owner safe. The
dog or team of dogs can be attached to a towline to also pull the biker.
Dog
scootering is a mushing activity which relates to bikejoring
and carting, where the owner rides a scooter that is pulled by the dog.
