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Photos: Denali National Park Kennels
Here it is, folks: the end of the Alaska trip series. The last day was mostly travel, and before we left my brother, sis-in-law, and I only had time to get down to the kennel where they keep the sled dogs that still patrol the park in winter for poachers and signs of motorized traffic. Dogs are still more efficient than snowmobiles for this purpose and less invasive. The Alaskan Husky is not bred to an AKC (or any other) standard but for the qualities--both physical and temperamental--that make them good sled dogs. So they all look a little different. These dogs are also bred for friendliness to strangers, as they spend a good part of the year as a visitors' exhibit. Even so, the dogs all have their own space and can choose to interact with people or not, as they wish. They seemed pretty happy when I was there.
This dog, younger than some of the others, slipped his collar while they were getting the other dogs hooked up to the sled. And ran them on a merry chase, not running away, just... running.
This dog, younger than some of the others, slipped his collar while they were getting the other dogs hooked up to the sled. And ran them on a merry chase, not running away, just... running.
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I'm really enamored of the idea of breeding dogs for actual temperament/use. The more I think about aesthetic standards, the most upset I get.
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Great pictures, once again.
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I really don't like the concept of specifically "breeding" dogs at all unless it's for use and doesn't result in a "stagnation" in the gene pool that ends up with health problems for the dogs. Obviously, the Huskies have their own niches to fill, and they are really sweet and intelligent dogs, so I can see why they are bred, and by bringing in other dogs like they do with the Alaskan stock, they can really vary the gene pool. My neighbors are all into breeding their pugs, and I don't get why someone would pay $500 for a "purebred" pug that is going to probably have a lot of serious health problems (especially concerning their eyes and respiratory tract). That just seems stupid on the owners' parts and cruel to the dog, all because they're "cute."
I could also go on a very long-winded rant about Huskies, but I'll try to keep it short. ;) I know a lot of people adopt these dogs without realizing how much work they require. They're not the cutesy dogs like in movies. I mean, they are cute, but they also are talented escape artists (my dog learned how to turn a doorknob with his teeth!), jumpers (a six-foot fence couldn't keep him in the yard), diggers, easily bored, heavy shedders, and needy (especially for exercise, mental stimulation, and attention). There are dozens of Siberian Husky Rescue organizations in the US because people abandon the dogs once they realize how much work the dogs are. I wish people would research the breed before getting one on a whim. :(
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Huskies/Malamutes are very cute, but yeah, I see a lot of people not knowing what they're doing. I especially like watching people put those harness leashes on them, and then wonder why they're getting pulled down the street. Also, when you go on petfinder or other sites there are a LOT of these types of dogs that say "no cats" next to them, which indicates a high prey drive. That's something people need to keep in mind, too. And lots of highly intelligent dogs just aren't good pets for a lot of people.
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So all in all pretty good. Have to say that while I love Texas I miss the 80 degree December days.
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Lots of snow and ice, up here.