Alaskan Husky

Originating from the crossbreeding of multiple other breeds, the Alaskan Husky is a type, rather than a breed, of dog, and is not recognised as a breed anywhere in the world. Technically, all breeds of highly efficient sled dogs are Alaskan Huskies. The original Alaskan Huskies were developed by mushers – people who ride in a sled behind a team of sled dogs – from the different lineages of native Inuit dogs. Nowadays, some of the main breeds used to develop Alaskan Huskies include the Eskimo dog, Siberian Husky, Greyhound and German Short-haired Pointer. They are bred for an entirely functional purpose – to create the best working dog for the extreme Arctic conditions – so the bloodlines are selected according to the specific tasks the dogs will be used for and the relative need for speed versus endurance.

With the wolf-like appearance of a typical sled dog, Alaskan Huskies resemble Siberian Huskies but tend to be larger and leaner. Most Alaskans have long, muscular legs, a deep, broad chest, erect ears and a bushy tail with a Spitz-like curl. Where Siberian Huskies and other Arctic breeds often have light coloured eyes, Alaskans’ eyes are usually dark. On average, males measure around 64 cm at the withers and weigh 18 to 27 kg, while females average 59 cm, and tend to be quite a bit lighter at 16 to 22 kg. Depending on their bloodlines, all these features can vary greatly between individual Alaskans, for example, one which has been developed for hauling heavy freight is likely to be more heavy-set and stockier in appearance than one developed for speed.

Alaskan Huskies typically have short to medium-length double-coats in a wide variety of colours, including grey, white, black and white, blonde, orange, brown, red and cream. Coat patterns also vary greatly, with some resembling Siberian Huskies in their markings, others being of solid colouration, and others having the irregular speckling of the German Shor-thaired Pointer. The coat is comprised of a downy undercoat and a more substantial topcoat to give them protection from the cold. While they shed lightly year-round, they have two major shedding periods each year. Bathing is seldom required as the coat is self-cleaning.

Suited for hands-on, energetic and experienced owners, the Alaskan Husky has high needs for exercise and food. Born to be a sled dog who runs regularly over long distances while pulling a load, he has an innate endurance and stamina for which he requires an outlet. He is an excellent companion for people with active lifestyles and a love of the outdoors, needing at a minimum a daily walk of more than 2 hours. He makes an excellent companion for distance runners, triathletes and cyclists, with whom he will keep pace for hours. Failure to meet his activity needs results in boredom and distress, which can lead to undesirable consequences such as destructive behaviour, weight gain and excessive vocalisation (in the form of howling rather than barking). Problems can also occur if he is left alone for long periods of time or where there is little time for interaction and mental stimulation. Given his extreme energy levels and almost constant need for exercise, he does not do well in an urban apartment environment; a spacious home with a large, securely fenced yard is ideal (like their Siberian Husky cousins, they can be excellent diggers and escape artists). Alaskans are voracious eaters, true to their heritage as pack dogs needing to ensure they eat enough to sustain them on a long voyage. However, in the context of a comfortable home, with calorie-rich food and possibly too little exercise, they can rapidly gain weight.