Breeding Strategy for Hedlund Huskies (7)

What is the Genetic Future of the Hedlund Husky?

The goal of the Hedlund Husky Preservation Project is to ensure that future generations of dog mushers and fanciers can enjoy the unique combination of conformation and temperament that makes the Hedlund Husky one of the most versatile and desirable sled dog and companion on the planet. To achieve that goal, we must increase the population of healthy Hedlund Huskies while minimizing the potential for genetic diseases and disorders.

This can be done, and in fact we have advantages that breeders of some rare Kennel Club breeds do not enjoy. We are still able to increase genetic diversity within our dogs (no closed stud book), and the tools needed to reduce the risk of perpetuating genetic diseases.

Our landrace is not the only sled dog to be in a precarious genetic situation. While we can track our line back to only 8 founders, the AKC recognized Chinook breed was founded with an effective population of only 3. While the effective population of deep-line (near pure blooded) Hedlund Huskies is only about a dozen dogs, in the early 1980s the total potentially reproductive population of Chinooks was only 11. To learn about the Chinook breed's preservation efforts, please read the article "Chinook Project" at http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/chinook.html

Through careful breeding practices based on the best currently available scientific information we are confident that the line of sled dogs developed by Rose and Nels Hedlund will continue to be a presence on wilderness trails and loving homes well into the future.