Greybeard, dogs co-evolved with humans; and in the process became more attuned to us and increasingly useful. Throughout history and prehistory, most dogs (like your husky) would have been working dogs. (This you know: just getting us on the same page.)
For some breeds, part of that usefulness would have been way-finding. Huskies who became used to pulling a sled along a given route would be more useful if they could somewhat memorize it, as to where the turns were, where the terrain was more difficult, and so on. Some of this probably goes by smell.
I once lived in a state neighboring yours, where I lived in a mountain subdivision. I had a border collie with a working dad. I would sometimes wander off solo into the hills by our home. When I let her take the lead off-leash, our dog was really good at finding her way back-- provided she didn't get distracted by a small animal. Then I had to get her back. But as you know, border collies are still used as working dogs throughout the West, where they have to range over enormous areas. I'm not sure a miniature lap dog would have this kind of ability.
Dogs have such a sense of play. Usually we restrict this to tossing a stick, but one of our dogs once, on a hike, slid down a late spring mountain snow patch. I feared she was hurt, but no-- darned if she didn't run to the top and slide down again.
Dog horoscopes are fun to look at. Thanks to veterinary records, I have two birth dates for our previous and current dog, both shelter dogs. They had/have the sun in Cancer, which I think accounts for their affectionate nature. The one had her sun-Venus in Cancer, and she was a total love sponge.