Cafitachiqui Kennels

History

The name alone provides the origins of the Siberian Husky breed. Native to Siberia, they were originally domesticated and trained in the Soviet Arctic region by a semi-nomadic tribe, the Chukchi, to pull sleds. The speed and endurance of these lovable canines proved them to be quite suitable to pulling light loads over long distances. DNA testing has confirmed that this northern dog is actually one of the oldest breeds of dogs in existence. The first dogs brought to continental America are believed to have descended from the Southwestern Siberian Liaka. Liakas bear a strong resemblence to Siberian Huskies, especially those coming from the early Wheeler and Seppala origins. (For photos or info about the West Siberian Laika follow the link http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/westsiberianlaika.htm)

Leonhard Seppala, the foremost breeder of Siberian Huskies, was a Norwegian immigrant who arrived in Nome, Alaska in 1909 during the Alaskan Gold Rush. At the same time, the sport of Dog Sled Racing became popular. Siberian sled dog imports would make their mark in history during the second Nome Sweepstakes race. The breed also played heavily in the Alaskan Gold Rush as a popular canine for use in the mining camps and grew in recognition and popularity when teams of Siberian Huskies were used to make the great "Serum Run" from Nenana to Nome, Alaska during the serious diphtheria epidemic that swept through the region. Two of the most famous and reknowned Siberian Huskies from the Serum Run experience were the lead dogs of Gunnar Kaasan and Leonard Seppala, Balto and Togo. Togo was the only one of the two who produced offspring. His counterpart Balto had been neutered. The progeny from the Serum Run teams became the foundation for the majority of the Siberian Huskies in the continental US and Canada and set the standard for the breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Additionally, the Siberian Husky breed triggered the evolution of several now popular canine sledding and other racing events. The most well known around the world is the Iditarod Dog Sled Race which actually commemorates the great "Serum Run."

Pictured above Leonard Seppala and his "Serum Run" team.

siberianhuskies@ymail.com

For more on the history of the Siberian Husky breed, go to:

http://www.allegrohuskies.com/

The Siberian Husky breed was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1930. Siberian Huskies are now classed in the working group and are currently recognized by the following Kennel Clubs:

American Kennel Club

Canadian Kennel Club - CKC

United Kennel Club - UKC

American Canine Registry - ACR

Continental Kennel Club - CKC

Siberian Husky Club of America - SHCA

Federation Cynologique Internationale – FCI

American Pet Registry Inc. – APRI

Kennel Club of Great Britain - KCGB

Australian National Kennel Club – ANKC

National Kennel Club – NKC

New Zealand Kennel Club - NZKC