The Chukotka Sled Dog is an aboriginal spitz breed created in Russia by the Chukchi people. This breed was on the verge of extinction around the Soviet era, however was preserved and therefore still exists today. They are said to be the forerunner of the much more well-known Siberian Husky. These hardy spitzes were originally used to pull sleds in the extremely severe conditions of Siberia as far back as prehistoric times! Doing so would allow the sled-riders to hunt sea mammals in the icy terrain. Despite having been around for a very long time, it wasn’t until 1999 that they were officially recognized by the Russian Kynologic Federation.
The Chukotka is a strong breed with the capability for extraordinary endurance. This dog needs to be given suitable work in order to be happy, and unsurprisingly takes well to sled dog training as well as similar types of exercise. Most get along with other dogs naturally, a trait important for breeds that work in teams. They have tough foot pads that can endure the freezing ice and snow, a metabolism suited to an Arctic diet, and a thick weather-protective coat. Predictably, they are built to pull which means sledding teams utilizing this breed continuously win long-distance sled races!
Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of information on these beautiful ancient dogs seeing as how they are extremely rare. They are still recognized by the RKF but not by the larger FCI or seemingly any other registry. The vast majority of the breed’s population still exist in the harsh Siberian lands in which they have always lived. These dogs are still used for their original purpose and hopefully will always remain true to their working heritage.
Photo By Ansgar Walk