Matanuska Athena of Inukshuk

Owner : Inukshuk Breed : Siberian Husky
Location : Glasgow, Greater Glasgow
Birthdate : 8th August 2008
Colour : Agouti & White
Health Tested ⓘ

OFA HIP SCORE: GOOD

** August 2025 Athena celebrated her 17th Birthday! Until last month she was still going camping, to Shows and to Sled Dog working weekends where she supervised the delinquent puppies. We are cherishing every day we have with her at home. **

Athena is the foundation bitch of our Inukshuk line and carries the rare mitochondrial haplotype A465 (within haplogroup A1e). Even more remarkable, both her dam and sire carried A465, making her pedigree doubly rooted in this rare maternal lineage.

This haplotype traces directly back to the traditional Chukotkan sled dogs of Siberia. It is exceptionally rare, even within Siberians, and is a marker of purity and preserved old-school type. Athena’s daughters and every one of their pups now carry this same lineage, making her the living heart of our program.

Athena was my pick of the litter when her father Zeus was used at stud. She was chosen for her gutsy character as well as her resemblance to her father. I was right, she is a lead dog in his image.

Athena is a quirky girl, a true old school hard as nails working dog who has deemed it acceptable to adapt to a sofa and bed when she must. Then she is as soft and cuddly as it comes.

Put her in harness and she was 100% business. She led the 6 dog team at a year old and only retired from the main team, aged 12. One did not need to call commands when racing - she read and followed the signs.

She was 6 before she would allow me the indignity to show her, which is a great shame as she is constructed and moves beautifully. She's since placed consistently and taken a few Veteran Bitch wins. Her heart will always be on the trail and I trusted her implicitly in lead.