EIGHT BELOW and the Husky Sled Dog

Author: Brian Alan Burhoe

It's been a treat to see a new story about huskies like EIGHT BELOW.

Suggested by a true story, ""EIGHT BELOW"" is an exciting action adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica.

The movie tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh winter, the dogs -- Canadian Huskies -- must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for six months. The film is inspired by the Japanese film ANTARCTICA, which is based on events of the 1957 Antarctic Expedition.

""From the coldest, windiest, most untouched wilderness on earth -- and inspired by an astonishing true story -- comes this thrilling tale of action and adventure, of dogs and men, of friendship and loyalty and of the stirring spirit of tenacity and hope that sparked one of the most incredible survival stories of all time. Set against the backdrop of icy, stormy Antarctica, 8 BELOW follows eight surprising heroes stranded at the bottom of the world and the one man who would stop at nothing to bring his true friends home.""

The fierce Antarctic winter is just setting in when an intrepid team of explorers and scientists on a research mission -- survival guide Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker), his best friend and cartographer Cooper (Jason Biggs) and the rugged geologist Davis (Bruce Greenwood) -- just narrowly escape a fatal accident, thanks to their steadfast team of eight skilled sled dogs.

Forced to evacuate, the men must leave the beloved husky dogs behind in the frozen wilds -- with a promise they will return.

But when the storm of the century approaches, cutting off all means of travel, the dogs are stranded. Now, as the intelligent, courageous dogs -- including noble pack leader Maya, rambunctious rebel Shorty and rising young alpha-in-training Max -- fight to make it through the most unforgiving winter on the planet, the heartbroken Jerry is driven to mount a seemingly impossible rescue mission, aided by a beautiful and adventurous bush pilot, Katie (Moon Bloodgood).

Held together only by unwavering bonds of friendship, the humans and the dogs alike make a remarkable journey of grit, endurance and belief to find one another again in this spectacular but perilous land.

The movie EIGHT BELOW has reintroduced many people to the Northern breed of dogs known as ""huskies.""

Europeans first met huskies when they began to explore the northern regions of the New World. Eskimos and Northern natives were using them as sled dogs and hunters -- but not usually as pets. At that time, the huskies were interbred with wolves, resulting in a strong, fierce breed. Europeans were warned, ""Watch out for the dogs!"" And with cause. "" Wolfbl ood "" made for a fierce breed.

Though out the years, even into the early 20th Century, this was the case.

Europeans began to mix the husky blood with other breeds, creating more trainable and trustworthy dogs. In Canada, the famed North-West Mounted Police began to develop their own breed of working dog, just as they were establishing their own breed of saddle horse.

The original ""wolf dog"" husky -- known in Canada as the Ungava Husky -- dwindled in numbers through the century as natives began to replace their dogs with machines such as the snowmobile and whites continued to breed for a kinder, gentler Northern dog.

The 20th Century saw a great interest in the breed, starting with the publication of Jack London's THE CALL OF THE WILD. The radio and television series SERGEANT PRESTON introduced the world to Yukon King. In the radio episode ""The Wolf Cub,"" (June 14, 1953) Sergeant Preston finds a husky puppy, who had been raised by a wolf. Preston holds the puppy and promises: ""I'm going to call you Yukon King. I'll teach you to respect good men and hate evil ones. You'll learn to captain a team, and to pull your own weight. I'll teach you self-control, and how to use your great strength. Youngster, we're going to be partners. And when you're grown, you're going to be the greatest dog in all the Yukon."" Yukon King became the archetypal ""husky"" for the general public. Huskies have been favorites among dogs of Literature and Hollywood .

Today, the breed known ""the husky sled dog"" is smaller and sleeker than its real-life forebears. This is in part because they are being raised as racing dogs. The ""wolfishness"" of the breed is being minimized.

There's been some concern that the success of EIGHT BELOW will cause some pet-lovers to adopt huskies, only to find that they can be difficult house pets and abandon them. This is possible, but any reputable dog breeder will caution potential buyers of the strengths and weaknesses of the breed. If you are considering getting a husky -- research first.

But by all means -- enjoy EIGHT BELOW!

About the author: Brian Alan Burhoe is the author of many dog-related articles and short stories, including WOLFBL OOD: A Northwestern Story in the Tradition of Jack London . Many of his articles can be found at PUPPY DOGS INFO Dog Breeds Training Care & Literature. www.puppy-dogs.info. Or do an Author Search on GoArticles!