History In Australia

From Arctic Origins to Australian Families

The Story of the Siberian Husky in Australia
 

Long before the first Siberian Huskies set foot in Australia, a remarkable working dog was taking shape far to the north. The Siberian Husky was developed by the Chukchi people of north eastern Asia, a northern Indigenous group who bred these hardy sled dogs for thousands of years to pull loads, travel long distances, and live as trusted companions in frigid Arctic conditions. Their endurance, friendly temperament, and adaptability contributed to their worldwide appeal. 

By the early 1900s, these dogs had crossed continents. They were imported to Alaska and emerged as elite sled racing and working dogs. The breed captured international attention especially after the legendary 1925 serum run to Nome, when teams of Siberian Huskies delivered life-saving diphtheria antitoxin across treacherous Arctic terrain, an event that helped cement the breed’s reputation for courage, stamina, and resilience. 
 

Early Husky Presence in Australian Territory (Pre-Breed)

Long before Siberian Huskies were formally imported as pets or show dogs, northern-type huskies were part of Australia’s Antarctic exploration history. Beginning in 1954, the Australian Antarctic program used teams of huskies — derived from Greenland and Labrador stock — at Mawson Station and other bases to haul supplies and serve as reliable working companions in extreme environments. Over nearly four decades, these huskies became part of Australia’s pioneering Antarctic legacy until environmental protocols ended the practice in 1992. 

While important, this chapter relates to general husky-type dogs in service, rather than the registered Siberian Husky breed established later in Australian domestic dog circles.
 

First Siberian Huskies Arrive in Australia

The recorded history of registered Siberian Huskies in Australia begins in the mid-1970s.

According to multiple breed histories, the first Siberian Huskies were imported into Australia in 1976, marking the true beginning of the breed’s development here.
One widely repeated account attributes this early introduction to Mr D. George, who became interested in sled dogs after contact with expedition supply crews and Antarctic-related handlers. In 1976, he imported a male dog from the United Kingdom, and this was followed by further imports in 1979, establishing the earliest foundation stock for the breed here. 

These early imports included:

• Forstals Tumac (Imp. U.K.)

• Danlee Karelia (Imp. U.K.)

• Skimarque Duska (Imp. U.K.)
  All three appear in early Australian dog show catalogues, anchoring documented Husky presence by the early 1980s. 

According to historical accounts, Danlee
Karelia was mated to Forstals Tumac, producing what is widely cited as the first Siberian Husky litter born in Australia. From these lines, other foundational dogs spread into breeding programs across different states. 

One early descendant, Myvore Lara, was sold to owners who continued the breed’s development by importing additional sires, such as Tuskin of Hunevoss (from New Zealand). These early movements of stock helped establish multiple prefix lines and regional breeding programs, including in Western Australia where lines such as Myvore Inuk and others became important. 
 

Breed Clubs and Community Growth

As Siberian Huskies spread through the Australian dog world in the late 1970s and 1980s, organised breed communities formed to support owners, breeders, and enthusiasts.

The Siberian Husky Club of Victoria Inc. was the first Siberian Husky-specific club in Australia, established in December 1984 and affiliated that same year with the Kennel Control Council (now Dogs Victoria). The club helped unify Husky fanciers, support education, promote the breed standard, and organise activities like conformation shows and sledding events. 

A few years later, similar community-driven support emerged in other states, including the Siberian Husky Club of NSW, which continues to host shows, sledding events, and community gatherings. 

These clubs — alongside registered breeders — played a key role in establishing the Siberian Husky not merely as an imported novelty, but as a sustainable breed within Australian canine culture, valued for family companionship, working ability, and community engagement.
 

From Early Lines to Today

Over the decades since the first imports, the Siberian Husky has grown from a handful of imported dogs to a well-established breed in Australia. Early foundational dogs helped form the basis of breeding lines that today produce Huskies recognised not only for their classic northern type and beautiful movement, but for temperament suited to active Australian families.

Today, Huskies are popular both inside and outside of the show ring — participating in obedience, agility, sledding and carting, and most importantly, serving as beloved companions in many Australian homes.
 

Summary

• Pre-1976: Northern husky-type dogs worked in Australian Antarctic expeditions. 

• 1976: First registered Siberian Husky imports arrive in Australia. 

• Late 1970s–1980s: Foundational breeding begins with lines such as Tumac, Karelia, and Duska. 

• 1984: First breed club (Victoria) formed to support the growing Husky community. 

• 1990s onward: Breed community expands; Huskies established across states and as family dogs.