Spilyay Tymoo
Page 8 January 7,1983
Sledding excites a dog’s interest
Dog sled teams vary from three to any number o f dogs the driver can handle. A fast three dog team can make a four mite run is approximately 23 minutes. The
more dogs, the faster the run.
The dogs could hardly be
controlled in their anxiety to
begin the run. Several people
strained to hold them back.
As the countdown began the
excitement of the team became
intense. Two, then one. A
piercing scream from the driver
sent them flying down the snow
covered trail. The sled was air
born as it glided easily behind
the team over moguls and
around corners.
Dog sleds are still an
essential means of transporta
tion for families living the cold
arctic regions of Canada,
Alaska and Siberia. But sleds
and dog teams are being seen
much further south recently as
dog sled racing is becoming a
popular sport.
Competition in these races i &
increasing as more people are
r a is in g d o g s f o r sled
competition, more spectators
are attending the races and
more money is being generated
as prize money.
Dog teams in the cold north
country consist of heavy coated
logs with fighting abilities for
survival and strength. Speed
and strength are the qualities
necessary for racing in the
warmer climates. Dogs aren’t
expected to brave the below
zero night winds nor face the
predators on the tundra.
Teams often do consist of the
traditional Alaskan Malamute
and Siberian Huskies but they
are also made up of Labradors
and sparsely haired Whippets.
Any dog that can pull a sled,
fast, has the quality necessary
for dog sled competition.
The lead dog of the team
must have additional qualities.
He is chosen for his speed,
endurance and intelligence. He
takes commands from the
driver, called the musher, and
the other dogs follow his lead.
Competition dog sled teams
consist of three to seven dogs.
An open class allows as many
dogs as the musher can handle.
A team of five dogs can pull a
load of 250 pounds comfort
ably 20 to 40 miles per day. The
sled they pull ranges from 6 to
13 feet in length and 12 to 24
inches in width. The runners
a re w o o d e n o r m e ta l.
Fiberglass runners can be seen
as they become more popular.
The runs vary with the
number of dogs in the team.
Four miles is an average run for
a team of three dogs. This run
tak es a p p ro x im a te ly 23
minutes. A larger team will be
given a longer run.
The dogs are kept lean and
exercised often during both
winter and summer. Both speed
and their ability to pull loads
are concentrated on. The
ability of the driver is
continuously refined.
Like all dogs sled dogs have
some peculiarities. At times a
lead dog will decide he doesn’t
want to run. When the starting
whistle blows he may just turn
around and go in the opposite
direction.
A n o th e r id io s y n c ra s y
involves, again, the dog’s
disinterest in running. A dog
may stop along the trail just to
gaze over the bank. Every dog
following will also stop and
look over the bank in the same
spot. These are only two of the
problems mushers have to deal
with.
Other than their once in a
while quirks sled dogs express
excitement at the prospect of a
race. They apparently enjoy the
run as much as the mushers do.
Even after completing a run it
isn’t long before, they are
rested, their excitement mounts
and they’re ready to do it again.
Spilyay Tymoo Text and Photos
by Marsha Shewczyk
With his anxiety showing this sled dog is ready to start the race ■
now.
Sled dogs are generally transported in individualpens. Their excitementfor the race does not become
obvious until released.
During a r a c e th e r e is n o time to stop fo r a drink o f tfater.
Afterwards,however there is water to befound everywhere, in tht
form o f snow.