I had to take some pics after work in the backyard. We’ve actually had some semblances of rain recently, so the grass seems to even be growing in the once-dead places. It won’t last, but it’s nice for now. MikeP- your dog seems to be enjoying the stay.
Click on the Ripken dog to see the slideshow.
My dog Ripken is an Alaskan Husky. Not too many people know what that really is. At least, not too many people who don’t mush sled dogs do. Nearly all competiton sled dogs are Alaskan Huskies these days. It’s getting pretty rare to see a team of pure-bred Siberians be competitive anymore.
Lots of people think you either meant to say Siberian Husky” or “Alaskan Malamute”, neither of which is at all right. And before you ask - yes, he is named after the greatest shortstop ever to play the game.
An Alaskan Husky is not really a distinct breed, but more like a type of dog or a category. No Kennel Clubs recognize the breed, merely calling it a ‘mixed breed’. But it is a relatively distinct kind of dog. You can tell an Alaskan Husky from other types of dogs pretty easily. The most common stock mixture in Alaskan Huskies is Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Greyhound. Ripken is very much a mix of Siberian Husky stock and Greyhound, but he isn’t a directly mixed breed, his mother and father were both also Alaskan Huskies as well. Unlike his parents, both of whom were working dogs in Alaska, Ripken is a house pet, and spends a lot of time laying around on beds and sofas. But, given the chance, he will run and run and run. Also, typical of the breed, he doesn’t bark, but “talks”, making a sound best described as “RoooRoooRoooo”. It’s quite charming. 
Alaskan Huskies take a lot of patience and discipline to train. They are very pack-oriented though, and will respect the pecking order. If you do not establish your dominance firmly when they are young, you will have a hard time keeping them. Ripken has been the best friend I could ever ask for and is a really smart, affectionate dog. I highly recommend Alaskan Huskies to those who have the space (did I mention they love to run and run) and patience to raise them properly. Here are some pictures of Ripken, who is nine years old. He is a very typical looking Alaskan Husky, and goes 55 lbs, much lighter than an Alaskan Malamute or a Siberian Husky. You can easily see the greyhound in him.
