Consequences of the Human Animal Relationship: Pathologies of Sled Dogs in the Circumpolar North

Abstract

Pathologies are rarely studied in sled dogs of the circumpolar North, even though lesions on their remains can give many insights to the relationship between Indigenous peoples and domestic dogs such as subsistence and mobility patterns. Some of the more commonly discussed conditions include spondylosis deformans, fractures, and dental trauma. However, it should be noted that these conditions are still fairly uncommon in the general literature. In sled dogs, spondylosis deformans stems from osteophyte formation on the vertebrae due to the degradation of the annulus fibrosus in the intervertebral disk. Fractures develop from human disciplinary action, bite wounds, or kicks from draught animals. Finally, dental trauma typically presents as intentional tooth removal or enamel hypoplasia. Pathology studies in dogs are uncommon due to a lack of comparative modern pathological collections, and due to a lack of recording in assemblages. Future research could develop the literature by examining collections from Yamal, Siberia.