The Siberian Husky is a strong, compact, working dog. This breed is a member of the Spitz family; it has the ability to haul heavy loads over long distances and rough terrain. In Siberia Chukchi people used this dog for centuries to pull sleds, herd reindeer and perform watchdogging functions. It was a perfect working dog for the harsh Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate into small packs, and quite happy to work for hours on end. The Siberian Husky is a very light-weight sled dog with great stamina. This breed was also used during Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Expeditions. The Siberian Husky has now become very popular as a companion dog, but it is also used for sledding, carting and racing. It is gentle, sweet; it makes a perfect family pet.