Dog Sledding has been in Canada, North America and Siberia for 4000 years; according to archaeological evidence as stated by The International Federation of Sled Dog Sports. Circa 1000 A.D. the Thule Inuit migrated to Arctic Canada from what is now Alaska bringing with them the first Canadian Eskimo dogs. The people and the dogs relied on each other for everyday survival in harsh conditions. Researchers believe that life in Northern Canada may not have been possible without sled dogs.
The Inuit used dog sledding as a means for transportation to trade, hunt, fish and monitor trap lines in the Canadian Arctic wilderness. As communities and outposts grew, dog teams were used to deliver mail, supplies and news. In the 1870's, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) traveled by dog team to patrol the northern Canadian wilderness.
When a diphtheria outbreak threatened Nome, Alaska in 1925, dog sled teams were heroes when they successfully retrieved the serum from Nenana. There is a statue of one the dogs, named Balto, in New York City with an inscription that reads:
"Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dog that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice across treacherous waters through arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the winter of 1925." Endurance. Fidelity. Intelligence.
Canadian Inuit Dogs have been set in world history by being chosen to make the trek to both the North and South Poles.Canadian dog sledding is part of rich heritage that helped tame a sometimes unforgiving land.
At NWS we are amazed everyday by the work ethic and loyalty demonstrated to us by each of our hard working huskies. The Husky
is reputed for being independent; a characteristic that has evolved as a survival mechanism required to surive harsh living conditions in the challenging environment of Canada's North. In spite of that; huskies are amazingly loyal and the bond created between musher and dog team is strong and very special. All of our huskies are well socialized and very friendly.
