Origins: Bred to pull sleds (Malamute, Husky, Samoyed) and to hunt (Elkhound, Akita, Eskimo), the arctic breeds are adapted to a cold, hard-working environment in which they have had to think mainly for themselves.

Size: Large (60 - 120 lbs), exception is the American Eskimo at 25 - 30 lbs.

Coat Care: Frequent brushing required. Heavy seasonal shedding in spring and fall demand vigorous daily grooming.

General Temperament: Dominant, pack oriented, independent, easily bored, friendly yet aloof, stubborn, can be aggressive to other dogs.

Watchdog ability: High (Akita, American Eskimo) to low (Malamute). These breeds tend to be alert and can be a deterrent by their size and presence, but they generally are not protective of people or things. This is due to their aloof nature; they do not bond to family and territory as many other breeds do.

Activity Level: High. These dogs are escape artists and incurable roamers. They require at least a six foot fence and long daily runs on a leash or in a controlled area. Remember, sled dogs were originally developed to cover many miles each day at a fast pace. They have a tremendous need for exercise.

Dominance: Most of these dogs were developed to work with other dogs and respect the "pecking order" within the pack. In the home environment people have replaced the other dogs in the animal's pack. This pack also has a pecking order and if not taught that people are the leaders and make the rules, the arctic dog will rapidly take control.

Destructiveness: High for Huskies and Malamutes, lower for Elkhounds and Akitas. If left alone for long periods of time these dogs can do major damage--eating furniture, removing siding, digging huge holes. It truly pays to keep them well exercised and supplied with lots of durable chew toys.

Snapping at kids: Moderate (Malamute, Husky) to high (American Eskimo and Akita). This trait, coupled with their low demand for affection and large size, make these dogs less than suitable for small children.

Behavior Problems: Many people obtain these dogs on the basis of their impressive looks. But as a group, the Arctic breeds are very difficult to train and have problems adjusting to life in the urban/suburban environment with its many restrictions. These dogs often do not accept training readily and are not anxious to please humans--so persistence, assertiveness and consistency are required to produce a well behaved dog. Some other traits include a tendency to be aggressive to other dogs and a strong desire to chase and kill wildlife and small domestic animals. Many Huskies are released to shelters for killing cats, rabbits and chickens. Many of these dogs howl, and the Samoyed may show excessive barking--particularly if left outdoors.