A rare working dog breed, the Seppala Siberian Sled dog is developed for the purpose of pulling a sled in cold country. It is a moderate-sized dog averaging 40 to 50 pounds weight and 22 to 23 inches in height. Colors and markings may vary; eyes may be brown, blue or any combination of the two colours. Seppalas are active and energetic but very docile and trainable.

Seppalas show a primitive canine type, never having been bred or selected for conformation or the show ring. The breed shares its ancestral base with the Siberian Husky and for half a century shared the same registry with that breed. The seppala siberian was bred always exclusively as a working sled dog breed in its own right and kept apart from show bloodlines.  The defining characteristics of the breed are its natural, primitive appearance, its highly developed work ethic, and its affectionate, cooperative, and highly bonded nature. They tend to be easier to train than other sled dogs and tend to have a strong bond with their owners.