The Siberian Husky's close ancestors originated in northeast Asia, bred by the nomadic Chukchi people as working sled dogs as well as companions. These dogs were capable of hauling sleds over frozen, rugged terrain for hundreds of miles in subzero temperatures on a small food supply. Although it's unknown exactly when the Siberian Husky became its own breed, they became known to the public in the early 1900's. They really gained the public's attention when, in 1925, a team of Siberian Huskies traveled 658 miles in 5 and a half days to rush a diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome, Alaska that was experiencing an outbreak.