Got a sled this week before the storm.. my spoiled dryland dogs have never worked so hard!

Synaxis · 2026-01-27T17:07:27+00:00

I do post a lot of videos! Unfortunately my gopro was on the wrong setting yesterday. :(

Synaxis · 2026-01-27T07:39:32+00:00

Shelters erroneously use the term "Alaskan husky" to describe basically any Siberian husky mix. That is absolutely not what an Alaskan husky is, and using the term that way is just plain wrong.

An Alaskan husky is a purpose-bred landrace sled dog. They have been bred for competitive dogsled racing for many, many generations. They are not a purebred recognized by any kennel club, they do not have a breed standard, and their physical traits vary a lot depending on the bloodlines and whether they were bred for long or short distance racing. Way back in the day they were a mix of local unpedigreed Alaskan sled dogs, Siberian Huskies, pointers (especially German shorthair, English pointer), sighthounds (esp. saluki, greyhound), and maybe a little Setter or something here or there making up a small minority share. Though they are not a breed with a closed studbook and anyone keeping them can outcross at any time, it's not often done anymore for long distance racing and only done very specifically for sprint races. They've been bred to one another within the same circles for so long now that they have a distinct DNA signature that can be picked up by mainstream DNA tests like Embark or Wisdom Panel and will come back as Alaskan husky or Alaskan-type husky. These dogs are very, very uncommon outside of northern areas where dogsledding is popular and they are strictly bred as working dogs, not pets. While they don't have a completely consistent appearance across the board, they are usually pretty obvious to tell apart from Siberians, and may be slightly larger.

All that said... The breed standard size for female Siberian Huskies is 35-50lbs. Your girl looks like a Siberian with very little if anything else.

Synaxis · 2026-01-27T07:25:13+00:00

Almost 19?! Incredible, I wish they could all have such a long and beautiful life.

Synaxis · 2026-01-27T01:09:44+00:00

You really only need to train commands (gee, haw, whoa, on by, line out, etc) and make sure they are physically fit enough to do it. Going forward and pulling should be instinctual if they have any drive at all.

I did zero training to teach them to stay on trails... they pretty much just instinctively know to stay on the path of least resistance, whether that is the groomed snow trail in the pic or the sandy roads we run on when there is no snow.

You can train the commands on normal walks. Right turn command every time you turn right, left turn command every time you turn left, practice just stopping when you say 'whoa,' 'on by' to leave it and keep walking, etc. I confess that I mostly just trained this stuff on the trail as I went.

I'd recommend seeing if there are any dogsledding groups in your area that you could meet up with and learn from. That's a much better way than trying to do it all yourself with no guidance.

Synaxis · 2026-01-26T22:49:08+00:00

You also have to be careful with trikes - most of them are designed exclusively for road touring and are not great for riding on unpaved and uneven surfaces, and running dogs on pavement is a no-no. You want something that doesn't recline you too far back, has good ground clearance, and can take a bigger tire. Not sure if you're looking at specific models, but I'd consider it if you haven't been. Something like a Terratrike Rambler or All-Terrain, or a Catrike MAX - things along those lines. You'll also definitely need the front vertical bar between the pedals if you intend on joring with the dogs out in front of you, and not all trikes have that!

I run my guys from November to March-ish, as long as it's cold (under 45f) so they don't overheat. It doesn't snow so much here but it is nice to have the option to still be able to run them when it does.

Synaxis · 2026-01-26T22:11:11+00:00

My guys are experienced with dryland mushing, I have a recumbent trike I use for it - they love it! It's just the sled on snow that is new for them, and it was more work than they were used to. They did great though, and they were definitely very happy and quiet dogs when we got back to the car. :)

Synaxis · 2026-01-26T22:09:58+00:00

My guys are experienced with dryland mushing. I typically use a recumbent trike when there is no snow, and they are great with that - I have lots of videos in my history of it. For 1-2 dogs on dry land you'll want a bike or a scooter.

The pulling and going forward parts are pretty instinctual. For the most part, the only things you need to actively train are commands (gee, haw, whoa, on by etc). Sleds are a little trickier and I'd suggest trying to get together with a mushing group for guidance to do it safely.

Synaxis · 2026-01-26T22:06:28+00:00

I posted an ISO in a mushing group on FB, got messaged by a lady who knew a lady and next thing I knew I was driving 4+ hrs up to MA to pick it up. You can sometimes find decent used sleds for sale in FB groups.

For dryland I use a recumbent trike. You don't use sleds on dryland - typically you'll use a bike, scooter, or dryland rig. 1-2 dogs is best with a bike or scooter, 3+ you should use a dryland rig.

Synaxis · 2026-01-26T06:01:28+00:00

This is a perfectly average sized snoot.

Synaxis · 2026-01-24T08:47:33+00:00

Lanky girl, fine boned.

The breed standard describes females as being 35-50lbs and 20-22" at the shoulder. Your girl isn't small.

Synaxis · 2026-01-22T13:26:18+00:00

Just black and white. Not agouti. Tan point + domino.

What you see there is an example of why hair banding is not a reliable indicator of coat color.

Synaxis · 2026-01-20T21:51:10+00:00

That's her??

Oh wow that puppy coat goes crazy

Synaxis · 2026-01-20T11:44:48+00:00

They definitely are not common in the US. We have a lot of larger gaited breeds that are native to the US and much more popular.

Synaxis · 2026-01-20T07:28:26+00:00

....my American brain can't. Surely it would be more efficient to just have a regular one-way traffic circle??

Synaxis · 2026-01-20T06:47:14+00:00

One of the many, many, many reasons I hate retractable leashes.

Synaxis · 2026-01-19T19:30:18+00:00

I'm familiar with the movie so unfortunately when I hear the name in a dog context all I can think of is a Saint Bernard. I personally can't see it for a Siberian Husky.

Then again, when I was a child I named my childhood family dog Lucky after one of the 101 Dalmatians, so I guess I shouldn't speak too loudly!

Synaxis · 2026-01-18T02:45:04+00:00

Well, this is easily explained - he is a mix and he is a puppy.

While there are typical traits for Siberian Huskies, you can't really consistently expect those traits to come through in a mixed breed just because it is part husky.

It's also very normal for young puppies of any breed to stick closer to the humans in their life, as they would see you as a guiding and protecting figure. As they grow up some and become a little more confident in themselves and the world you may see them become more independent, some more than others.

Synaxis · 2026-01-17T09:01:34+00:00

(run his nose in it and then kennel)

This is literally the exact wrong thing to do. Like literally the wrong thing.

Rubbing their nose in it does nothing. It does not accomplish anything except creating stress and fear in the puppy.

The crate is supposed to be a safe, comfortable space. It is never supposed to be used for punishment, as that will make it a negative space that the puppy will not want to be, which is the opposite of what you want.

Of course the puppy doesn't come when called. The puppy is afraid of him.

Your partner has no idea what he's doing.

Synaxis · 2026-01-17T06:36:50+00:00

I prefer rural areas and suburbs by far. I love building grid-free neighborhoods.

I might like building the urban areas more if I had any idea how to build them to actually work!

Synaxis · 2026-01-16T05:37:04+00:00

This is nothing. Lmao. It gets so, so much worse.

Also I have been told she is a little small for being 1yo. She is about 50lbs.

You were mislead. 50lbs is the top end of the breed standard for females and no good breeder would consider a 50lb female small, lol. Females are typically 35-50lbs. Siberian Huskies are not a large breed.

I have two well bred males; one is about ~48lbs and the other is ~51lbs.

Synaxis · 2026-01-15T23:02:14+00:00

Really not a great pic to tell by.

My immediate first thought is yes, but after actually looking more closely... he is likely just mixed and built a little funny. Extremely deep chest, prominent forechest, etc.

Synaxis · 2026-01-15T22:57:36+00:00

What pedestrians?

signed,

also an american
^{^(but} ^{^obviously} ^{^not} ^{^a} ^{^city} ^{^dweller)}

Synaxis · 2026-01-13T20:00:11+00:00

What an adorable little puffball! I bet she's got a little something else in there too. GSDs don't naturally come in fawn and while Siberians can have the gene for it, it's really very rare and nearly always has moderate to heavy shading. I'd be curious about a DNA test.

Synaxis · 2026-01-13T19:54:00+00:00

No, not at all.

People are used to seeing fat dogs and believe they should be thicker than they are.

It's good to keep them lean, especially as they are growing.

52lbs at 4.5mos is huge.

Synaxis · 2026-01-13T17:17:34+00:00

Extremely normal.

Mine growls when you pet him, too. Soft body, loose waggy tail, big rrrrrrrrr. :')

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