The Seppala Siberian Sleddog
are Seppala Siberian Sleddog leaders
(Photo courtesy of Seppala Siberian Sleddog Project)
THE SEPPALA Siberian Sleddog is a working breed; it exists for the purpose of pulling a dogsled in cold country. It originated from an amalgam of tribal dogs from several different regions of the vast land of Siberia, developed by the breeding of Leonhard Seppala in Alaska and Maine in 1914 - 1930. It is an exceptional general purpose arctic sleddog capable of serving a variety of uses, such as freighting, rapid long-distance dogsled transport, sleddog racing (whether long-distance, middle distance, or short-distance), passenger touring, recreational dogsledding, skijoring and dog packing. It should be capable of demonstrating endurance, speed, strength and versatility in its work. The size of Seppalas is moderate; average height of males is 23 inches, with a normal range of from 21 to 25 inches, their weight in lean working condition around 52 pounds, with a normal range of from 38 to 65 pounds. Average height of females is 21 inches, with a normal range of 19 to 23 inches, their weight about 42 pounds, with a normal range of from 30 to 55 pounds.
The Seppala physique is longer than it is high, with a natural range of proportion from moderately compact to somewhat rangy. Front and rear angulation must be balanced and strongly defined, stifles well-bent, shoulders and upper arms well laid back.The legs are straight and well muscled with strong but not heavy bone. The head is moderate and natural-looking, muzzle neither heavy nor long and thin, eyes brown or blue in colour and set slightly obliquely. Ears are well-furred, set high on the head, moderately pointed at the tip and erect. The Seppala coat is thick and soft in texture with a very dense weather-resistant undercoat, giving a smooth outline and good protection to the dog in any weather conditions. Coat colour varies from nearly all-black to pure white with many distinctive shades of grey, fawn, sable, reddish-brown and banded wolf colourings; any colour except liver-nosed copper is allowed, and any markings.
A very smooth and efficient working lope is a strong point of the breed; similarly, the trot is also very free and floating.The disposition of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog is active, merry and often quite inquisitive though sometimes showing great reserve with strangers. Stable, co-operative, serious temperament is characteristic; desirable specimens are neither nervous nor aggressive. Natural, innate sleddog ability is a primary characteristic of the Seppala dog. The best adult dogs display a high degree of determination and tenacity in their work and will keep going under very bad conditions, sometimes even in spite of injury or illness. A steady and serious working attitude is important. Seppala strain produces a high proportion of fine lead dogs.
The Seppala breed foundation was based on Siberia import males bred to bitches from Leonhard Seppala's breeding in Alaska. The strain was further developed by a succession of dog drivers after Leonhard Seppala: Harry Wheeler, Alec and Charles Belford, William L. Shearer III and J. D. McFaul. In the 1960s it came very near to extinction and was rescued by Jeffrey Bragg and Betsy Bush (Markovo Kennels) and Gary Egelston (Seppineau Kennels) in the 1970s. Now under the guidance of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog Project in Canada's Yukon Territory it has achieved recognised evolving breed status with its own stud book and breed standard; additional Siberia import stock is being bred into the strain to preserve genetic health.
The Chinook dog
(Photo courtesy Intervale Chinooks)
THE CHINOOK is a rare American sleddog breed whose breed development began in the New England region of the USA early in the twentieth century. Standing 21 to 27 inches (53-69 cm) in height and weighing 55 to 90 pounds (25-41 kg), the Chinook is balanced and muscular in physique. The medium-length double coat is honey to golden -- "tawny" -- in colour, with darker shadings on muzzle and ears. Eyes are brown to amber in colour. Ear carriage is variable and the head more strongly rectangular than other sleddog breeds. The tail is a well-furred saber rather than the usual brush or plume of arctic breeds. Overall the Chinook seems to owe more to mastiff than to spitz ancestry.
The breed has a solid working sleddog history, although many Chinooks today are used only as family pets; responsible breeders today strive to maintain Chinook working ability. Individuals are also used for dog-packing, search and rescue, sheepherding, skijoring and obedience trials. Health issues in Chinooks are cryptorchidism, hot spots (allergic skin disease), epilepsy (seizures), shyness, and hip dysplasia. Their temperament is usually calm, non-aggressive and friendly, though sometimes reserved with strangers.
The Chinook owes its existence to Arthur Walden of Tamworth, New Hampshire. The breed derives principally from one male ancestor born in 1917 named "Chinook," who was Walden's lead dog and stud. Chinook derived from crossbreeding of husky stock from the Peary North Pole expedition with a large, tawny Mastiff-like male. Photos of "Chinook" show a drop-eared dog with a broad Mastiff head and muzzle. Walden's leader was bred to Belgian Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Eskimo Dogs and perhaps other breeds; the progeny were bred back to him to set the desired type -- "Chinook" was apparently a strong reproducer of his own traits. Arthur Walden was a dog driver with years of experience in the Yukon; at 56 he was chosen to be lead driver and trainer on the 1929 Byrd Antarctic Expedition. (The 12-year old "Chinook" was unfortunately lost in the Antarctic.) Walden is credited with bringing sleddog sport to New England and with founding the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924.
Control of the core breeding stock passed from Walden to Mrs. Julia Lombard and from her to Perry Greene in the late 1930s. Greene, a noted outdoorsman, bred Chinooks in Waldboro, Maine, for many years until his death in1963. Rare and closely-held by Greene who was for many years the only breeder of Chinooks, the population dwindled rapidly after his death. By 1981 only eleven breedable Chinooks survived. Breeders in Maine, Ohio and California divided the remaining stock and managed to save the type from extinction. Today Chinooks have recovered in numbers, estimates ranging from 300 to 500, and seem to be gaining popularity.
