Fifteen Facts About Sled Dogs and Sled Dog Racing


Posted on Sep 8, 2009
By Jason McGovern

  1. Sled dog teams consist of four distinct parts; lead dogs that set the pace of the team, swing dogs that help to turn the sled, team dogs that provide the horsepower, and wheel dogs, which are usually the strongest dogs on the team and the ones closest to the sled.
  2. Sled dog teams usually consist of 6 to 14 dogs.
  3. Mushing is a general term that not only describes dog sled racing, but also carting, pulka, cootering, skijoring, freighting, and more.
  4. Mushing is the state sport of Alaska.
  5. Though not an official sport, sled dog racing was demonstrated at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
  6. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, arguably dog sled racing's most popular event, began in 1973.  The Yukon Quest, one of the sport's most difficult, had its first race in 1985.
  7. The Yukon Quest race is over 1,000 miles long.  Temperatures routinely dip below -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  8. While the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute might be the most famous breeds of sled dogs, any medium sized dog breed can be used to pull a sled and many mushers prefer to use cross-breeds.
  9. Todd Palin, husband of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, once challenged his counterpart Jill Biden to a dogsled race.  No word on whether or not Mrs. Biden responded to the challenge, or responded with a challenge of her own.
  10. In addition to dog sled races, dogs may also be used in the sport for skijoring, where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, dogs, or a motor vehicle.
  11. Libby Riddles was the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in 1985.
  12. Susan Butcher was the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and the first person of either gender to win the race four times in five years.  She is currently tied with three others for second-most wins in the history of the race.
  13. The city of Nome, AK, the finish line for the Iditarod, was founded in April 9, 1901.  It is Alaska's oldest continuous first-class city. 
  14. Many sled dogs wear booties to protect their feet from sharp and granular ice.
  15. While sled dog racing is often associated with Alaska and Canada, the sport has spread all over the globe and is gaining popularity in Australia.  The Canberra Sled Dog Club, the country's largest and most active sled dog club, is involved with as many as 20 races a year.
For more information on sled dog racing, visit Sled Dog Central, a leading source of online sled dog advertising and information.

 

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