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To Learn More:
Here's a list of some of excellent resources to learn more about dog sledding, carting and skijoring.
Organization for the Working Samoyed
Sled Dog Central Website
Mushing Magazine
Team and Trail
www.dogscooter.com
Sled Doggin
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There are a number of dog "breeds" or "types" that are used as sled dogs. These include the Alaskan Husky,
Alaskan Malamute, Inuit Dog, Samoyed and Siberian Husky. Of these the Alaskan Husky is the most widely used both as
a working dog and for racing. These mixed breed dogs dominate the racing circuits and are truly amazing canine athletes.
They have been bred for one thing and that one thing is to excel in harness. One musher said that the definition of
the Alaskan Husky is that it is "the dog that gets you to Nome". The Alaskan Malamute originates from Alaska and is
a large freighting dog. This is a dog that loves to pull and loves to work hard. They truly enjoy pulling weight. They
are occasionally seen at races. The Inuit dog is a very ancient breed used by the Inuit people in the northern reaches
of Canada and Greenland. Like the Alaskan Malamute, the Inuit is a freighting breed. These dogs are primitive
in nature and are not intended as pets. They are designed as a working dog, and as a working dog they are most
content. The Samoyed is a moderate sized arctic breed developed by the Samoyede People in north central Siberia.
A multi purpose breed, they were used for a variety of activities from herding to hauling belongings. With their
long outer coats and thick undercoats the Samoyed is capable of withstanding bone chilling temperatures. The Siberian
husky is a moderate sized sled dog and capable of covering ground with considerable speed. When first brought over to
Alaska, these dogs dominated the brand new racing scene there with their owner and musher Leonhard Seppala. The Siberian,
next to the Alaskan Husky is the most common breed seen at races.
Dog Sledding is a team sport where the team is composed of the "driver"
or musher and his/her dogs. The number of dogs on a team can be as few as 2 to more than 12. Dog sledding
can be enjoyed as a solo tour into a wintry wilderness or in competition in one of the many venues such as limited class
sprint racing, mid distance, stage racing, or ultra distance events such as Alaska's Iditarod or the Yukon Quest. There
are races throughout not just Alaska but California, the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast as well
Europe and the southern hemisphere! To see more sledding pictures click on the Dashing team.
Skijoring is a true example of teamwork where both dog
and skier work together to negotiate a snowy trail. Skijoring is a great way to get started in mushing since all
it is required to take up this sport is one dog who likes to pull. Some skiing ability on the part of the
musher is very helpful in fact it is a good idea to feel comfortable on skiis before hooking up a dog. The equipment
needed for skijoring is simple, a harness and line for your dog and a skijor belt and skis for you. As with sledding,
skijoring can be enjoyed as a recreational or competitive activity. To see more skijoring, click on Simon, Rolo and
Bob.
Carting, Scootering and bikejoring allow anyone to enjoy dog powered
sports without snow and for mushers to train their dogs in the early season before the snow falls. While carting
has been around for years, scootering and bikejoring are relatively new activities that are catching on around the world.
While carting allows mushers to train sled teams without snow. Bikejoring and scootering allow skijorers to do the same.
Nonetheless both of these activities are emerging from the shadow of their sister snow sports as urban enthusiasts discover
the joy of working with their pets in harness. Events like the Relay Across America are doing much to popularize
these and other dog powered activities. More carting pictures may be seen by clicking on the team.
Teaching your dog to pull. It is easy to teach your dog
basic pulling skills. Developing their skills as a sled dog can take more time depending upon the dog. To start
out you will need a properly fitting harness, a tugline and an object for your dog to drag. Initially the object does
not have to have alot of weight, just enough for the dog to know it is there. Placing a leash on your dog see if your
dog will walk next to you and pull the object. You may try luring your dog with treats. When doing so, keep
the treats and your hand low to encourage your dog to pull from a lower center of gravity. Be sure to always reward
your dog strongly for pulling. Attach commands for go and whoa while you are teaching your dog to pull.
If the dog is comfortable at this level try increasing the weight of the drag a little. Make your training sessions
brief and very positive. Once the dog has gotten the idea of this, then you see if the dog will work out in front of
you while pulling. The dog may do this naturally, even from the beginning. If not you might try having the dog
follow another person or friend or dog. Once the dog will work out in front reliably you are ready to teach
him or her basic directional commands. These are readily taught on a leash or with the dog attached to you via a tugline.
Start by teaching one turn, say right turn (gee) and then left (haw). Once the dog understands how to pull and
basic commands you are ready to try some scootering, skijoring or canijoring. Be sure to wear your helmet and have fun!
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Heading to the Finish at the Stanley Sled
Dog Rendezvous
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Dashing Sledding
Jill began running sled dogs in 1993 when an adventurous dog named Moqui came into our lives. She and her husband
Bob skijored for several years until Jill decided that she wanted to work with a team. The Dashing team began as
a mixed samoyed and alaskan husky sled team in 1999, Finnegan and Mingus were the Samoyeds and Cain the alaskan husky.
We competed in two races in Colorado that year, living at the time in Flagstaff Arizona. For several years we
ran primarily shorter distance recreational runs and limited class sprint races. During that time Finnegan (Kriskella's
Finney O' Flag WSX CGC) and Mingus (Avalanche's Misguided Joi WS HCT) earned their working titles within the Samoyed Club
of America. In 2000 we moved to northern Idaho where the snow is more reliable and the opportunities for training
and racing more diverse. Jill began running both 4 and 6 dog teams in limited class sprint racing. In 2010 she
began to run a team of purebred Siberian huskies and now her efforts are focusing there. In 2011 she participated in
both sprint and short mid distance with her 6 dog AKC registered Siberian Husky team.
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