Alaska's Great Race - Siberian Huskies

" Most of today's slimmer racing dogs are called Alaskan Huskies. A mix of many breeds including the Malamute, Siberian and wolf. They weigh about fifty pounds and are bred for speed, temperament and endurance. But they aren't the only breed on the trail. Karen Ramstead mushes a team of pure bred Siberian Huskies. "

" This breed is my passion. I came to dog sled racing because of the dogs. The race is just a product of that rather than the dogs being a product of my desire to race."

" These dogs are tanks known for their tough bodies and strong pulls. The Siberian Husky is the traditional sled dog. "

" Most of the mushers here in this race are here to win. And you're not going to do it with a team of Siberian Huskies. "

" Siberians were bred as hunting companions. They have the advantage of needing 25% Less food than the Alaskans. The Siberian husky and the Alaskan husky each have their own unique skills."

" My dog team is all purebred Siberian Huskies. As opposed to the Alaskan Huskies that most of the drivers use. But, in reality these have been proven to be slower than the modern racing dog, the Alaskan husky. And there's not a lot of us that still get them out on the racing trails. Although, there's lots of people that love them and use them recreationally. One of the advantages of a pure bred Siberian husky is they generally tend have better feet than the Alaskan Huskies."

" Feet are the foundation to any good sled dog. The compact foot of the Siberian makes them less prone to injury. But, booties and ointment are still valuable tools."

" We're starting to get to the point in the race where you know their feet have had enough dings and bangs that I'm booting more of them. I think I came in with 6 or 7 bootied. But, certainly not entire teams like you see with Alaskan Husky drivers."

" Karen's special team draws fans from around the world."

" I'm Carol Preville I'm from"

" Illinois. I'm out here watching the four Siberian husky teams, one of them being Karen Ramstead. I'm a traditionalist. It's kind of like a classic car. You just, you've got to have the classics. And they're not as fast as the Alaskans but they're going to get you there, and you're gonna get home safe."

" I don't know, I think you can get the most out of your team and the dogs you have and have a great adventure and that's, that's a successful race."

" Eskimos used to believe blue eyed dogs could see the wind. And therefore, they were more valuable as sled dogs."

" And it's this ancient mystique that makes the pure Siberian a sacred part of the Iditarod trail."