Pull sleds — Dogs

The story behind the answer

These northern spitz-type dogs were bred for endurance and teamwork to pull sleds across snow and ice. Their dense double coat, erect ears, bushy tail, and tough, compact “snowshoe” paws help conserve heat and traction in Arctic conditions, while a lean, efficient gait lets them cover long distances quickly.

Sled dogs were perfected by Indigenous Arctic peoples (like the Chukchi), and later became famous in the 1925 serum run to Nome and today’s Iditarod. A helpful memory tip: “Husky hauls”—they’re built to haul, not to guard or hunt. They’re typically too friendly to be reliable guard dogs, and while some Arctic breeds have herded reindeer (e.g., Samoyeds), the classic husky/malamute role is pulling sleds—speed for Huskies, heavy freight for Malamutes.