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| image = Alaskan husky at Riley Creek Campground (12712975923).jpg
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| image_caption = An Alaskan husky resting during a run at Riley Creek Campground in [[Denali National Park and Preserve]], Denali Park, AK
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The '''Alaskan husky''' is a
Alaskan huskies are the most commonly used type of dog for competitive [[sled dog racing]], both in short-distance sprint racing as well as long-distance expedition races such as the [[Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Do many Siberian Huskies run the Iditarod? If not, why? – Iditarod|url=https://iditarod.com/do-many-siberian-huskies-run-the-iditarod-if-not-why/|access-date=2021-09-11|website=iditarod.com|date=12 October 2020 }}</ref> the [[Yukon Quest]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Sled Dogs in the North |website=Yukon Quest|url=https://www.yukonquest.com/news/sled-dogs-north|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> and the [[Finnmarksløpet|Finnmarkslopet]].
== Description ==
The Alaskan
[[File:Lava the sled dog.jpg|left|thumb|Blue-eyed Alaskan husky, a common feature in the Siberian Husky contributor to the breed|238x238px]]
▲The Alaskan Husky is not an officially recognized breed by any kennel club, nor does it have a formal breed standard. Unlike breeds developed for the show-ring, the Alaskan husky is instead a product of careful selection for desirable sled dog traits from various other breeds, such as aptitude for pulling, endurance, speed, intelligence, appetite, and tolerance of extreme weather.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=What is a Sled Dog? – Iditarod|url=https://iditarod.com/what-is-a-sled-dog/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=iditarod.com}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> As a result of this specific and mindful performance-only based breeding, DNA studies show that Alaskan Huskies share a genetic signature and indeed can be identified accurately on DNA breed tests.<ref name=":1" />[[File:Lava the sled dog.jpg|left|thumb|Blue-eyed Alaskan husky, a common feature in the Siberian Husky contributor to the breed|238x238px]]The Alaskan husky is an incredibly athletic dog variety, and as a dog crossbreed their appearance can vary markedly, although various lines have been bred for multiple generations and breed very true to that line's type.{{r|Morris}} Some Alaskan husky lines have very traditional husky [[spitz]]-like features with pricked ears and curled tails, whilst other lines more closely resemble their [[hound]] or [[gundog]] heritage with tipped or floppy ears, straight tails and tucked up [[sighthound]]-like loins.{{r|Bonham|Coppinger}} As they are not bred with conformation in mind, cosmetic features are not a consideration for breeding, and these features instead tend to follow the purpose of the dog's intended style of sled work.
The Alaskan husky is an incredibly athletic dog variety, and as a dog crossbreed their appearance can vary markedly, although various lines have been bred for multiple generations and breed very true to that line's type.{{r|Morris}} Some Alaskan husky lines have very traditional husky [[spitz]]-like features with pointed ears and curled tails, while other lines more closely resemble their [[hound]] or [[gundog]] heritage with tipped or floppy ears, straight tails and tucked up [[sighthound]]-like loins.{{r|Bonham|Coppinger}} As they are not bred with conformation in mind, cosmetic features are not a consideration for breeding, and these features instead tend to follow the purpose of the dog's intended style of sled work.
Generally Alaskan huskies are taller than [[Siberian Husky|Siberian Huskies]] and are lighter in build than [[Alaskan Malamute
It is common for distance-type Alaskan huskies to be outfitted with dog coats and dog booties during long expeditions and races, in order to regulate temperature and protect the dog's feet from ice and rough terrain.<ref name=":2" /> The use of dog coats has become more common into the late 20th and early 21st centuries as even the distance lines have been bred for greater speed, sacrificing some of the heavier and more dense protective double-coat of their [[Arctic]] breed ancestors.
== History ==
As European traders and settlers arrived in Alaska they sought local entertainment, and turned to racing the local means of transportation, sled dogs.{{r|Morris}}
[[File:Goldstream Husky.jpg|left|thumb|191x191px|Alaskan husky standing on his doghouse]]In the latter half of the 20th century the primary use of sled dogs shifted from utility to sport, particularly career competitive sled dog racing. In order to facilitate greater speed for racing sport, various breeds of [[gundog]]s and [[sighthound]]s have now been bred into Alaskan husky lines, including [[Pointer (dog breed)|Pointers]], [[Greyhound]]s, [[German Shorthaired Pointer]]s, [[Saluki]]s, [[Borzoi]]s, [[Labrador Retriever|Labradors]] and [[Setter]]s; some breeders have even used [[Wolf|wolves]] at various points.{{r|Morris|Coppinger|Bonham}}
== Lineage ==
Genetic studies indicate that the Alaskan Husky originates from pre-Colonial North American Arctic village dogs (including precursors to the Alaskan Malamute) and Siberian imports (precursors to the Siberian Husky), crossbred with European breeds such as [[Pointer (dog breed)|Pointers]], [[German Shepherd Dogs]], and [[Saluki
In 2015, a [[DNA]] study indicated that the Alaskan husky, the [[Siberian Husky]], and the [[Alaskan Malamute]] share a close genetic relationship between each other and were related to [[
Other breeds identified as having contributed to the Alaskan husky sled dog gene pool include Pointers, and a number of other non-arctic breeds by breed and type group. Genetic variation in the Alaskan husky has been analyzed based on the groupings of two purpose-driven distinct populations within the Alaskan sled dog gene pool:
* The distance group showed a higher contribution from the Arctic/Asian group, mainly the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, and the Mastiff/Terrier group consisting primarily of [[Pyrenean Mountain Dog|Great Pyrenees]] and [[Kangal Shepherd Dog|Anatolian Shepard]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Huson|first1=Heather J.|last2=Parker|first2=Heidi G.|last3=Runstadler|first3=Jonathan|last4=Ostrander|first4=Elaine A.|date=2010-07-22|title=A genetic dissection of breed composition and performance enhancement in the Alaskan sled dog
*The sprint group displayed a higher contribution from Pointer-type dogs and Salukis, and the lowest contribution from Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, as well as the extreme-sprint specialists displaying the highest contribution from already long-bred Alaskan husky lineage.<ref name=":1" />
*A sub-group chosen for analysis due to its overlap between distance and sprint types displayed the most Saluki contribution, more than the extreme sprint or extreme distance specialists.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Leaders.JPG|thumb|Two Alaskan husky lead dogs hooked up at a race event|168x168px]]
== Health and
[[File:Alaskan husky (1815096882).jpg|thumb|A three-year-old male Alaskan husky|183x183px|left]]
The Alaskan husky has selectively been bred specifically for its athletic performance.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Miller|first1=Benjamin F.|last2=Drake|first2=Joshua C.|last3=Peelor|first3=Frederick F.|last4=Biela|first4=Laurie M.|last5=Geor|first5=Raymond|last6=Hinchcliff|first6=Kenneth|last7=Davis|first7=Michael|last8=Hamilton|first8=Karyn L.|date=2014-08-22|title=Participation in a 1,000-mile race increases the oxidation of carbohydrate in Alaskan sled dogs|url=https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00588.2014|journal=Journal of Applied Physiology|volume=118|issue=12|pages=1502–1509|doi=10.1152/japplphysiol.00588.2014|pmid=25150223|issn=8750-7587}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> As such, its level of athletic ability, as well as [[Anabolism|anabolic]] efficiency are far greater than the average domesticated dog, especially in endurance feats. Distance-specialist Alaskan huskies out-speed most animals and all other types of sled dogs when running distances of 50 miles or greater, even while pulling moderately sized loads.<ref name=":2" /> Studies on the metabolic capabilities in working Alaskan husky sled dogs reveal that their system transitions to utilization of low-glucose energy sources (from high-glycogen carbohydrates) early on during long periods of travel, and their reliance on these low-glucose fuels (such as those higher in fats and proteins) continue and even extend to become more pronounced after working for longer periods.<ref name=":4" /> A good appetite is a highly desirable trait, and is emphasized in breeding choices.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2013-12-26|title=Modern Sled Dogs; Sled Dog Facts; Alaskan Huskies; Siberian Huskies|url=http://www.yukonquest.com/site/modern-sled-dog/|access-date=2021-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226050558/http://www.yukonquest.com/site/modern-sled-dog/|archive-date=2013-12-26
[[File:Idol swingley.jpg|thumb|168x168px|Five-year-old male Alaskan husky from championship distance racing lines]]
Like most working sled dogs, Alaskan huskies are capable of pulling far greater than their own body weight in load while in harness. Sprint teams of Alaskan huskies are capable of speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h),<ref>{{Cite book|last=Stephen|first=Person|title=Sled dog: powerful miracle|date=2011|publisher=Bearport Pub|isbn=978-1-61772-134-2|pages=4–10|oclc=776988782}}</ref> whereas distance-specialist teams have completed 938 mile (1510 km) races in just 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 13 seconds with time including 40 hours of mandatory rests and other routine rests on the trail.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fastest time to complete the Iditarod Trail|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-time-to-complete-the-iditarod-trail|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB}}</ref>
As specifically purposed working sled dogs, Alaskan huskies can be subject to climate or work-specific health conditions that any sled dogs may experience, such as temperature-related [[bronchitis]] or bronchopulmonary ailments, also known as "ski asthma".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Davis|first1=Michael S.|last2=McKiernan|first2=Brendan|last3=McCullough|first3=Sheila|last4=Nelson|first4=Stuart|last5=Mandsager|first5=Ronald E.|last6=Willard|first6=Michael|last7=Dorsey|first7=Karen|date=2002-09-15|title=Racing Alaskan Sled Dogs as a Model of "Ski Asthma"|url=https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.200112-142BC|journal=American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine|volume=166|issue=6|pages=878–882|doi=10.1164/rccm.200112-142BC|pmid=12231501|s2cid=34948487 |issn=1073-449X}}</ref>
In 2020, the largest study of "canine hematologic and serum biochemical analytes" to date was published, including within it the largest data set of healthy athlete dogs; the dogs of reference were 4,804 sled dogs training for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the overwhelming majority of which were Alaskan huskies.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Connolly|first1=Sara L.|last2=Nelson|first2=Stuart|last3=Jones|first3=Tabitha|last4=Kahn|first4=Julia|last5=Constable|first5=Peter D.|date=2020-08-20|title=The effect of age and sex on selected hematologic and serum biochemical analytes in 4,804 elite endurance-trained sled dogs participating in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race pre-race examination program|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=15|issue=8|pages=e0237706|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0237706|pmid=32817656|pmc=7444536|bibcode=2020PLoSO..1537706C|issn=1932-6203|doi-access=free}}</ref> The study found that anti-aging and anti-inflammatory biochemical levels in the dogs increased over time and with training, enhancing the dogs' physical and mental abilities until an average of 6.6 years of age. == Behavior ==
The behaviors and temperament of the Alaskan husky can vary greatly due to the wide range of genetic backgrounds and bred-purposes within the breed. As with all sled dogs, a desire to pull and run are essential and are of high priority in decisions of breeding. Mental soundness is also important due to the need for dogs to be in close quarters with other dogs while hooked in the team, handled by people for proper care and transportation, and for dogs on racing teams to perform under environments which include trails crowded with spectators and other dog teams.<ref name=":0" />
As dogs selectively-bred for their ability as working sled dogs without direct physical feedback from the driver, intelligence and problem solving are highly desired in a specimen and are often marks of talented lead dogs, which are often those with the highest consideration as breeding prospects. Dogs are expected to read the trail and situation through instincts and experience, and thus superior cognitive abilities are often bred into Alaskan husky lines in tandem with physical athletic attributes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-31|title=What Makes a Great Sled Dog? Breed, Ambition, Tough Feet|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150131-sled-dog-alaskan-husky-racing-iditarod-winter-video-culture|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322133154/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150131-sled-dog-alaskan-husky-racing-iditarod-winter-video-culture|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 22, 2021|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Animals|language=en}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Dogs}}
* [[Husky]]
== References ==
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{{Spitz}}{{American dogs}}
▲[[Category:Sled dog breeds]]
[[Category:Sled dogs]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in the United States]]
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