The histories of sled dogs and humans in the Arctic have been intricately linked for thousands of years, so it is no surprise that the migration patterns of these dogs mirror those of humans through the Arctic. Sled dogs have assisted humans with the difficult tasks of traversing through harsh environments and transporting heavy materials and food, ultimately playing an important role in survival. However, many breeds of sled dog, like the Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute and Samoyed, have now mostly transitioned out of their traditional roles and into the role of pets and are often mixed with other breeds.