Alaskan Husky

The Alaskan Husky is a type or a category of dog rather than being a breed of dog.  It is not classed as being a breed because there is no preferred type and no restriction as to descent.  The Alaskan Husky is defined only by its purpose, which is an extremely good sled dog.

A majority of Alaskan Huskies have pointed ears, which places them in the same class as a spitz-type dog.

The Alaskan Husky is the number one choice for world-class dog sled racing sprint competitions.  The purebred breeds simply cannot match the Alaskan Husky for its pure racing speed.

Teams of Alaskan Huskies regularly win speed-racing events.  They are highly valued for their toughness and staying power.  The typical speed is approximately 19 miles per hour (31 km/h) over three daysâ racing at 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 km) each day. Such speed-racing events include:

• The Fairbanks, Alaska (which is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska).
• Open North American Championship.
• Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (which is where the annual winter festival is held).

Alaskan Huskies that accomplish the demanding standards of performance during world-class dogsled racing can be extremely valuable.  They can be worth between $10,000 to $15,000.  However, those that do not meet the standard are worth very little or even nothing at all.  Given that more are bred than are required for racing, there is a high level of culling, which attracts the attention of animal rights activists.

The Alaskan Husky is a result of a mix of other northern types, mostly the Siberian Husky.  Even though the features of distant wolf ancestry are rather visible in Alaskan Huskies, they are not in actual fact considered to be a wolfdog.

Many other breeds have also contributed to the Alaskan Huskies genetic makeup, including the Wolf, Foxhound, Greyhound, Staghound, Doberman etc.  It is the contributions from these breeds that account for the Alaskans great variability of appearance.

The Alaskan Huskies size is moderate, averaging between 46 to 60 pounds (21 to 25 kg) for males, and 38 to 42 pounds (17 to 19 kg) for females.  Some of them bear a resemblance to the Siberian Husky breed, but are usually taller and larger.

The color and markings of Alaskan Huskies are variable.  They can be any possible canine color and have any pattern of markings.  Even though their eyes are generally light blue, they can be any color.  Their coats are almost always short to medium in length and are typically less dense than those of northern purebreds.  The shorter coat is designed to give then effective heat dissipation while racing.

When Alaskan Huskies are racing, especially long distances, it is usual for them to wear dog coats for belly protectors.  It is also essential that they wear dog booties in order to protect their feet from abrasions and cracking.

These dogs are bred for stamina, speed, strength, and endurance.  However, Alaskan Huskies can be very shy.

They are a popular pet in Alaska.  Puppies that are seen as being unfit for racing are very often culled and available free to any good home.  The older Alaskan Huskies, that have outlived their racing days, make fantastic pets for people that can give them sufficient exercise.  They are also generally extremely alert and well behaved.

Alaskan Huskies do not make great household pets as they heavily shed their coats during the Spring and Fall.  They may also be considered as being hyperactive, running circles inside a house when they are bored or when they feel confined.  They require a great deal of open space in order to run around and relieve themselves of the excessive amounts of energy that they have.

Alaskan Huskies are generally healthy dogs.  Strains are prone to genetic health, similar to those found in purebred dog breeds.  The life span of Alaskan Huskies is generally between 10 to 15 years.