Today, Disney released its movie Snow Buddies about talking puppies who venture to the Arctic, team up with a new friend in a dogsled race across Alaska. Got the DVD and watched the movie. If you are 7 – maybe 8 – and under, you will love the movie. I personally love it because it has Huskies in the movie. Having two Siberian Huskies since they were 8 weeks old, I was tickled to see the breed featured in another movie. Disney’s 2002 Snow Dogs with Cuba Gooding Jr. also featured talking dogs, talking Siberian Huskies. Most of the dogs that appeared in that movie were also in the 2006 Eight Below (yet another Disney film!)
[note to self - need to meet the husky lover who works for Disney and show the casting director pictures of Kali and Logan.]
According to the Snow Buddies website, Shasta is an Alaskan Husky; however, the ACK does not recognize a breed by that name. In the Working Group, there are Alaskan Malamutes, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs and typically 75-85 pounds+, and Siberian Huskies who originated by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia as an endurance sled dog and noted for their medium size. But no Alaskan Husky. So was the lead dog in the movie, Shasta, a mixed breed? I suppose if the dog is trained and can act, no one really cares. My guess is someone didn’t do their homework on the breed and they made a mistake.
Take look at the resemblance between Shasta and Logan when she was a pup.
Logan and the Alaskan Malamutes, note the size difference.
Filed under: Siberian Huskies | Tagged: ACK, Disney, Siberian Husky, Snow Buddies
The “alaskan husky” reference in this movie is nothing more than Disney not doing much of a job at researching anything at all…Sure how realistic it it to have a puppy sled team (since sled teams are comprised of adult dogs at no less than 2 years of age) and winning the Iditerod none the less. But the Alaskan husky is what almost all professional sledders use as thier team (the Siberian teams are almost non-existant since they are refered to as SLOWberians). Alaskans are typically bigger, leaner, and longer than the Siberian. They also have more speed and endurance than the Siberian. The Alaskan is not recognized by the AKC as it is a mix of a northern breed and a non-northern breed to get the best possible working dog. Most commonly it is a mix of Shepheard and husky.
So to Disney, just because a husky LIVES in Alaska does not make it an Alaskan Husky. *rolls eyes*
Actually the “Alaskan Husky” originated from the Crossing of Siberian Huskies with Alaskan Grey Wolves, and Native Village Dogs. This was done to reinvigorate the breed, and bring about a dog with the best qualities present amongst the Sibes, and many Native Fast-Pullers. Now-a-days you do see some kennels beginning to modify this mix further, even going as far as placing Greyhounds into the mix. The only problem with this, is that some “Alaskan Huskies” now harbor no natural defenses nor instincts against the harsh Alaskan environment. Many of these dogs now lack the insulating fur layers and body fat necessary to protect themselves against the cold, and they must be given “coats” to wear when taken out mushing. Also, one can see how eventually such mixes may lead to a partial or even complete loss of Spitz (AKA Arctic) Characteristics. I have an Alaskan Husky, and she is a complete Northern mix, Non-Hound dog. She has the natural defenses to survive the extremes of Alaskan living, as well as the instincts to do the same. In the Summer she naturally digs through the dirt searching for Permafrost, so she can lay in it and cool down. She does this even though where I currently live, there is NO Permafrost. This is an inherited trait. She also has strong Pack instincts, and a love for the cold. The colder it gets, the happier she becomes. She pulls as hard as a tank, and can run forever.
BTW, Siberian Huskies tend to need MUCH less food than Alaskan Huskies when racing. Alaskans are known as “Quick Fuses”, and they can run extremely fast for periods of time, but in order to do so they require a great amount of sustenance. They “Burn their Fuel” at a higher rate. Sibes on the other hand can pull at a steadier rate and require relatively very little in terms of sustenance. So essentially, how an “Alaskan Husky” performs and acts, truly depends on what they are mixed with, and how close they remain to their Siberian lineage. Too many kennels have gotten into a purely competition based mindset for speed, and they seem to have all but forgotten the survival based aspect of why sled dogs were originally created they way they are.
Also, yes, the dog in this movie could very easily be an “Alaskan Husky”. I have seen plenty of these dogs, and again, they vary greatly depending upon their mix and how close they have remained towards their Siberian forebearers. Some “Alaskan Huskies” appear no different than Siberian Huskies (Siberian’s even vary in appearance depending upon bloodline).
Siberians ARE still running races such as Yukon Quest, and the Iditarod. They also have Siberian Husky Only Races, so as to still recognize and encourage those who wish to retain this amazing breed. Like I said, maybe you can create a faster dog by crossing a Siberian with a Greyhound, but what is the point if you take away it’s Native and Original Abilities? Not to mention that while you might gain speed, you will lose pulling strength. Competition dogs might need to be fast, but those still used as major systems of transportation for remote villages MUST be able to survive in Arctic Environments, AND pull fully-loaded sleds.
Just to let you know as well, there is a HUGE variety of Huskies in the North. MacKenzie River Huskies, Quebec Huskies, Malamutes (The Larger Dogs are Freight Pullers), etc.
The Siberians are an AMAZING dog, the ranks of which include the famous Balto, Fritz, and Togo from the Nome Serum Run of 1925 (The Great Race Of Mercy). From these dogs came not only the Modern Siberian Husky, but the Original Alaskan Husky as well.
Hello, I havent seen any of the movies but I do know disney do thier homework lol. I think they have ment to call the pup an Alaskan Husky, as to imply it is a cross between the two, or some sort of special breed. I really love huskys too, and the malamutes… anything with a curly tail and a double coat.
Love your dog they are beautiful!
Carolann xx