What kind of dogs are used in the Iditarod?
The most commonly used dog in the Iditarod (and in all of mushing) is the Alaskan Husky. The Alaskan Husky is actually a mixed breed, or mutt, dog that is born and bred to love to pull. Alaskan Huskies are a descendent of the original northern sled dogs (mostly domesticated wolves and wild dogs) used by the native peoples of the North Country. Beginning 150 years ago, white settlers, gold miners, and fur trappers moved into thee northland and brought their own dogs with them. These dogs were a hodge-podge mix of larger breed dogs from the Lower 48 and other parts of the world that were not raised and bred for pulling. As a result, these dogs didn’t do very well, but as these dogs interbred with the native sled dogs, the resulting dogs were excellent sled dogs, and the original “mutt” Alaskan Husky was born. The mixing of the breeds provided a great deal of genetic diversity and hybrid vigor that is still found in these dogs today. Over the last 100 years, mushers have mixed in other br
