CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ponder in a weight pull harness.
LE GRAND — With the 2025 Iditarod race starting on March 1, the Le Grand Pioneer Heritage Library will present the program, “What Makes a Good Sled Dog” at 3 p.m. on March 2.
Shelley and Kim Barron with the help of their Alaskan Malamutes, Ponder and Lily, will talk about the physical characteristics and attributes that make Malamutes and other northern breeds such good sled dogs. The Barrons have owned Alaskan Malamutes for more than 40 years and shown in breed and obedience competition, owned two Therapy Dogs and compete in weight pulls. They will talk about the three main sled dog breeds, the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky and the Samoyed and also the Alaskan Husky type of dog.
The Alaskan Malamute traces its roots back to the Arctic regions of Alaska, where they were originally bred by the Mahlemiut Inuit tribe. These dogs were essential to the survival of the Mahlemiut people, assisting in hunting and hauling heavy loads over long distances in harsh, frigid environments. Unlike other sled dogs that were bred for speed, Alaskan Malamutes were developed for power and ability to pull heavy sleds.
The Siberian Husky’s ancestors were originally bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people and were kept as companion dogs for their families as well as endurance sled dogs.
The name Samoyed comes from the Samoyede, a semi-nomadic people of Asian descent who have incorporated this breed into their daily lives since antiquity. It is believed that the Samoyede migrated with the dogs to Siberia, north of the Arctic Circle, in the first millennium. The Samoyede’s traditional lifestyle centered around reindeer, and originally used dogs to hunt reindeer.
Alaskan huskies are the most commonly used type of dog for competitive sled dog racing, both in short-distance sprint racing as well as long-distance expedition races such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and the Yukon Quest.
This program is free and open to the public. The Le Grand Pioneer Heritage Library is located in the Le Grand City Park at 204 N. Vine St. For more information contact the library at 641-479-2122.
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