Friday, July 24, 2009

Welcome to the Official Seppala Siberian Sleddog Blog


Welcome to the number one Seppala Siberian Sleddog BlogSpot!


The Seppala Siberian Sleddog is true working animal owning a rich heritage starting in the vast, baron lands of Siberia. Before the term "Seppala Siberian Sleddog" became a common term, these unique animals were only known as the village dogs, a discription that does no justice to the importance of these animals to the Chukchi people. The rugged Siberian environment created an animal that literly determined life or death for those that depended on them.


When the Gold Rush of the 1900's hit Alaska, the dogs caught the attention of immigrants looking for a way to overcome the Alaskan territory. A number of dogs were imported before the Russian government's reign of terror & By early the 1940's suppression of Chuckchi people wiped-out the existence of the original "village" dogs .


Back in Alaska and to the surprise of most, the dogs proved their weight in gold. The forerunner in creating recognition for the dogs was Leonhard Seppala. The famous serum run and the race record of the "little man and his little dogs" brought international recognition for the dogs. From there the Siberian Husky breed was founded and validated by the AKC.


The Siberian Husky of today is not the same dog as was originally recognized. Environment, selective breeding, and changes in lifestyle have significantly changed the village rugged-ness of the breed. Only a small number of people were committed to maintain the original use of the Seppala Siberian by maintaining performance abilities, sweet temperments, and ongoing endurance. To know a Seppala is to love a Seppala.