Siberian Husky

Developed by the Chukchi people of Siberia over thousands of years to pull sleds across vast Arctic distances on minimal food — a feat of energy efficiency that still impresses sport veterinarians. It arrived in Alaska in the early 20th century during the gold rush and gained worldwide fame after the 1925 "serum run" that saved the town of Nome from a diphtheria outbreak.

It's an extremely cold-hardy breed with practically inexhaustible energy and a strong need to run — historically selected to work in a team pulling sleds, not to take individual orders like a herding dog. That makes it independent and, at times, "selectively deaf" to commands, especially when there's something interesting to chase.

It sheds an enormous amount of fur during its seasonal coat blow (twice a year), requiring intensive brushing during those periods. It's extremely friendly with people and other dogs, but its strong prey drive makes it risky around small animals, and its tendency to escape calls for tall, buried fencing.