Origin of the Iditarod

In 1925 the people of Nome Alaska were under threat of a diphtheria epidemic...the closest serum had been shipped by train from Anchorage to Nenana...some 483 miles away. The only plane that would have been able to make the trip was unable to due to horrific weather conditions, and a temp so cold they couldn't thaw out the engine. It was decided that mushers and their teams would relay the life saving medicine across the frozen north in hopes that it would reach the children of Nome in time. More than 20 mushers and teams took part in the heroic journey. One courageous Siberian husky (lead dog for Musher Gunner Kaasen), Balto became legendary due to his efforts to carry the medicine to Nome along with his team... they made it through with Balto never straying from the trail even in whiteout conditions.

Sledding Siberian Huskies

These snow loving canines were developed from within the Chukchi Tribe off the eastern Siberian peninsula. With there hardworking attitude, easy temperament, and thick fur coats they were used for a variety of endurance testing tasks involving sledding, transporting supplies, and people.
In 1908 the dogs competed in the All-Alaskan Sweepstakes which was a 408 mile long dogsled race, and in WWII served in the Army's Arctic Search and Rescue Unit.
Today you will find this fantastic dog sledding in the Iditarod a 1,150 mile race that literally spans Alaska, and some of the most beautifully, treacherous land ever seen.
These dogs make great pets if you have the time for daily exercise (this dog needs room to run), regular brushing, and understand that they love small animals...for lunch.