Your description of the breed is quite accurate. Very smart but "head strong".
Some have more energy than they know what to do with, but generally calm
after a couple years. (Siberians anyway) Most professionals musher run Alaskan Huskies
which are mutts. More of a job description than a breed. Most northern breeds don't fetch
(some do), but will chase ( until they discover its just a stupid ball )

There are a bunch of good web sites that describe different northern breeds.
Worst place to get them is out of the paper or from a pet store. There are also show
lines and sled lines so you should know what you want.

So yeah...when you run out of gas.

Later

 

My sister in NH runs her dogs pull their ATV during the summer and fall, she tells me it's great training. Pull a 600lb atv makes them so strong that when she hooks up the light sled, she tells me it's really dangerous, the damn sled gets air on the sled trails.
herbdon out......

 

heh heh...

Yep dog sledding is 1 part pleasure trip
1 part out of control. The danger can be managed...or
at least we like to think so.

With this NO SNOW winter my dogs are all muscled up and
no where to go. The ATV has been a god send to my training
this year. I am appreciating the appreciation you guys have for
them.

Later