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millennial_scum t1_jax8qjx wrote

The last breeders of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog (dogs from the breeding and lineage of the dogs who ran the most of the Nome vaccine run. The first Iditarod was held in Seppala’s honor) chose to discontinue breeding and let the last of the dogs live out their lives peacefully. The breed could no longer safely keep up with the demands of modern Iditarod racing but too many people would still try to purchase them for that intent based on their name and history.

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DanJPopp t1_jaxb1m3 wrote

Understandable. Seppala Huskies are more useful as team leaders for sled dog work rather than racing. I'm sure many racing sled dogs have Seppala Husky ancestry because that breed is incredibly smart and intuitive in understanding its musher and leading/being part of a team. But purebred Seppalas aren't the best for straight up racing these days.

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Etrion t1_jaxd0qn wrote

most of the huskies used now are mixed with greyhound. pure breed huskies are rarely used anymore.

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lagelthrow t1_jaz82ye wrote

Most of the huskies who run are Alaskan huskies, a mutt "breed" consisting largely of northern breeds and hounds, yes. But considering that they're shooting for dogs whose natural biology lends itself to thriving in extreme cold, it's not really greyhounds but more likely hounds with hardier coats and more muscular builds.

There aren't many identifiable breeds in Alaskan huskies at this point, since that lineage is so far removed from what they are now

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[deleted] t1_jazq0i5 wrote

Racers absolutely mix in greyhound, pitbull and other none northern breed blood into their breeding programs.

In addition, in the past they didn’t care about breed. They breed dogs based on their performance and health. People cared more about their parents work qualities than beeec standard.

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Mr_P3anutbutter t1_jb1j2a4 wrote

Yup. Got to tour Trailbreaker Kennels in Fairbanks a few months ago, Susan Butcher’s daughter runs it now. She said she looked for performance and behavior over breed.

She said ‘they aren’t going to the AKC they’re going to run’

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TuaTurnsdaballova t1_jazd0az wrote

Somehow I doubt many racers care about the well-being and comfort of the dog as much as you think.

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Griffdog1260 t1_jazl5yj wrote

If you think this than I strongly recommend reading Gary Pulsen’s book Winterdance.

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TuaTurnsdaballova t1_jazmi4g wrote

I don’t know about one guys book but it’s easy to look up all the abuse many of these dogs go through. Unfortunately the cruelty is mostly legal in places like Alaska where dogs can just be shot and killed for no reason other than they aren’t the best runners.

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lagelthrow t1_jb1hqtl wrote

There are bad people in every industry. There are shitty people everywhere. It would be insane to pretend there magically aren't any in this sport. But the majority are people who love dogs and who love the preservation of the breeds and the culture around dogsledding.

I know more than a couple of distance mushers and they are dog-care-above-all people.

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