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**SLEDDOGGIN' BLOG
**ABOUT THE MUSHERS
**SEPPALA MALES
**SEPPALA FEMALES
**SEPPALA YEARLINGS
**ALASKAN HUSKIES
**LITTERS
**DOG & KENNEL CARE
**SALES & RETIRED
**JUNIORS & FUN PICS
**WORKING BORDER COLLIES
**LINKS
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Our decision to register with the Continental Kennel Club (CKC) was not taken lightly although it turned out to be a good decision. We are thankful for their hard work, open-mindedness and expedient processing. Over the last 5 years we have found that the icing on the cake was that CKC is a BIG supporter of the sport of mushing.
One of our major, long-standing complaints about other registries is their assiduous attention to confirmation rather than, first and foremost, performance in working breeds. While these organizations sometimes sponsor various events designed to somewhat measure work ability, championship consideration are largely based on confirmation. We thought we were simply asking a registry to track the pedigrees for us but what we found was a performance oriented organization very interested in helping us meet our performance goals.
We strongly feel there is valid reason to recognize the Seppala line of the Siberian Husky as a breed of its own. This was an excellent venue to separate the working line of the Siberian Husky from the general population of Siberian Huskies. CKC has made a commitment to the Seppala, along with the ISSSC, to promote performance in the Seppala Siberian Sleddog. Since the first year of the partnership between the ISSSC and the CKC, we have learned so much more about this registry. So many people thought it would not last, or it would turn for the worse, but here we are nearly 6 years later and the partnership still exists and is still growing. The continued support that the CKC provides the Seppala Siberian Sleddog and mushing in general is insurmountable to any other organization that we are aware of. Aside from the fact that the CKC has extensively used their resources, labor, and time to recognize the breed and implement a database and registering policies specific to the SSSD, they have also financially supported individual mushers, races, junior mushers and junior mushing events.
One common misconception of the CKC is the equivalence of purebred registrations with mixed lineage dogs. The CKC has currently set up two distinct registration categories-purebred and non-purebred. In the purebred category the initial dogs had to be registered before January 1, 2004. In addition, the dog's pedigree must contain not less than 93% Seppala lineage and also be registered by a recognized registry such as the AKC. Once the initial stock is entered into the stud book, all progeny can be registered at a later date.
In the non-Purebred category you will likely find Siberian Huskies and maybe a few Alaskan Huskies with at least 50% Seppala lineage. In many of today's high percentage Seppalas genetic problems are more prevalent than in the past. A couple issues we have personally experienced are low breeding drive and small litters in otherwise healthy normal pregnancies.
This non-purebred registration option gives Seppala breeders a way out of the genetic bottle neck. One reason we favor this alternative is because it gives breeders an option to be honest about what they are breeding into their stock. Once the subsequent progeny of such an outcross is bred back to the 93% Seppala content the dog can be registered as a purebred with approval in regard to type, temperament and foremost work ability. It is important to keep the "Seppala-ness" of the Seppala prevalent in the breed no matter the outcross.
We become more complacent with our decision as each racing season comes and goes. Our dogs are the number one reason we enjoy this sport, but we are tremendously grateful for the support we have received from the ISSSC, the CKC and the terrific friends we have made in the Sleddog community.
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