movement in dogs. I always love Siberian Huskies and got my first one in 1984 and I entered my first dog show in 1985. My sister-in-law (Nanette Wright) was involved in showing Japa- nese Chins and she got me interested in becoming involved in dog shows. I was approved to judge Siberian Huskies in 2010 and I have not applied for any other breeds. I greatly enjoyed judging the breed and have judged quite a few spe- cialty shows including Specialties in Italy and Australia. 1. Although bred as powerful sled dogs, the Siberian is very popular as a companion. Which traits lend themselves to this? DB: Actually, many of the Siberian’s treasured personal- ity traits can prove challenging in a pet. The Siberian, by his very nature as a long distance endurance sled dog, is intelligent and independent and loves to run. A Siberian that will countermand a musher’s command if he knows it to be dangerous, is the same dog in the yard that decides to ignore his owner’s request to come inside. And, his desire to run is expected as a sled dog, but means he cannot be trusted not to run when off lead. What we prize and expect in a sled dog, we must deal with at home. So, the Siberian, just as every other breed, is most successful with an owner who understands his true nature and can meet the challenge it brings. How- ever, as a team dog, Siberians are usually agreeable with other animals and their dense double coats usually keep them free from “doggy” odor. SC: Siberians are a pack breed. Human beings count as pack members and they love to spend time with their people. There is a popular misconception that Siberians aren’t trainable, but that springs from a misunderstanding of the purpose of the breed. Siberian Huskies were bred to work well ahead of and running away from, their human—the person on the sled runners behind the harnessed team. The most valuable dogs, from a survival standpoint, were the leaders who could think for them- selves. If the Chukchi hunter told his dogs to cross rotten ice, the smart leader ignored that order and kept the team and sled on viable footing. The most valuable dogs were the ones that were bred, so smarts and independent decision-making became part of the breed. Fast-forward to today and Siberians still think independently and also still value teamwork. Harness that desire for teamwork, add a dash of fun and they love to learn and play games with their people. They make great running partners and love to pull their people on skateboards, skis, sleds or any other contraption you care to harness them to, in addition to being great at the “normal” dog sports like obedience, rally and agility. AC: I have to confess that most people are initially attracted to Siberians because they are both luxuriously pretty and also have the cachet of owning a dog that looks like a wild animal. Having admitted that, their personalities can clinch the deal for the right person. Siberians are brave, independent, athletic, inventive and they have
national show. I have been judging for 9 years. I am licensed for Non-Sporting and Herding groups and have most of the Working group with a few other breeds. I live in Ludlow, MA and work in medicine. KATHLEEN KANZLER I live in the northeast corner of New York state. I enjoy watching my dogs and horses and reading suspense thrillers and spy nov- els. I love “Antiques Roadshow” and visiting with my friends and family. I have had more than 60 years in purebred dogs; 56 years of breeding, sledding and exhibiting Siberians. I have been judg- ing since the early 70s. JAN SIGLER
I live in a suburb of Kansas City. I was a high school history and language teacher. Hobbies include travel and movies. I started showing my first dog, a pet quality German Shepherd in 1960. While he never got a point, he was my Junior Showmanship
dog. I began showing Siberian Huskies in 1967 for a family friend and continued until I started judging in 2000. I judge the Working and Non-Sporting Groups.
DELBERT THACKER
I live in Union Grove, Wisconsin. I am a retired Speech Pathologist but recently began working part time at an adult care facility. I have had Siberian Huskies since 1978. I began showing in 1979 and judging in 1995. SHERI WRIGHT
I live in Michigan. I’ve had dogs almost my entire life. I also had horses growing up so I had a good background of learning about and taking care of animals. When I was a teenager I learned a lot about structure of horses and movement. It gave me a good
background when I got involved in the dog world and I could easily translate what I had learned in horses to structure and
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