Dog Racing

The Fast Sport of Sled Dog Racing

Dog racing has always been quite the fad, especially in the cold, cold regions of Alaska. And when it comes to dog racing, the first things that just might come to your mind are the sled dog breeds. These sled dog breeds are known for their strength, endurance, and intelligence. These dogs are also larger than your ordinary dog, with very muscular bodies that are perfect for dog racing. In the olden days, sled dogs were not really primed for merely dog racing. Rather, they were primed to transport all sorts of supplies from one place to another. Today, though, is another story.

The following sled dog breeds are quite popular: the Siberian Husky, the Chinook, the Canadian Eskimo dog, the Sakhalin Husky, the Alaskan Malamute, the Seppala Siberian sled dog, the Samoyed, the Tamaskan Husky, the Eurohound, the Greenland dog, and the Mackenzie River Husky.

But why are these breeds the perfect choice for sled dog racing? The obvious reason here points to the fact that sled dogs have very thick coats that can withstand temperatures at the lowest degrees possible. Their coats actually have dual layers, with the undercoat having insulating properties against snow and ice. Their thick coats help them a great deal when it's high season for sled dog racing. However, during the summer, these sled dogs actually shed a lot. Thus, sled dog breeds would not be the ideal pets to have for people who suffer from dog allergies.

Sled dog racing is a sport that takes place in the fall and the winter. In the fall, the dogs are then attached to a wheeled cart as they pull the driver along. In the winter, a sled takes the place of the cart. The driver would then stand on runners and guide the dogs along the course of the race. In this type of dog racing, the dogs are given individual harnesses, which have tug lines that are attached right onto a central gang line. The dogs are then linked in pairs, reaching up to 11 pairs per dog racing team. The teams can either race against a given period of time, or against each other. When racing against each other, it can become quite chaotic. Sled dog racing has three categories, namely the short distance, the middle distance, and the long distance.

Over time, there have been certain adaptations and modifications made to the sport of sled dog racing. These modifications apply to the modern times and to the different climates where the races take place.