Sled dog
Sled dogs were important for transportation in arctic areas, hauling supplies in areas that were inaccessible by other methods. Sled dogs today are still used by some rural communities, especially in areas of Alaska and Canada and throughout Greenland.
The breeds most commonly associated with this work are the Siberian husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Eskimo dog, and Laika—all large, powerful dogs with thick coats and high endurance.
The image of dogs sledding on the snow conjures up picturesque scenes with tall, flocked evergreen trees and glistening open fields, but make no mistake: these powerful dogs are hard at work, and they love what they do! Prior to running races and performing non-racing duties, each dog undergoes a thorough medical examination to ensure he can safely work.
