| Sled dog breeds are characterized by | | | | is important, and the distances are shorter, |
| endurance, strength, and intelligence. They | | | | Alaskan huskies were found to perform better. |
| are usually medium to larger dogs, with a | | | | Alaskan husky dogs are not a recognized |
| very muscular build, and have helped mankind | | | | breed. They are bred for their performance, |
| transport supplies in times before the | | | | and so they cannot be easily characterized as |
| automobile. Nowadays, sled dog breeds are | | | | a breed. Alaskan husky dogs represent a |
| found as pets, as well as trained to | | | | variety of types with different lines. They |
| participate in sled dog racing. Sled dogs | | | | are hybrid dogs - a husky with another breed, |
| were developed to withstand very low | | | | that is determined by the needs and ideas of |
| temperatures. Their coats have a double | | | | the breeders. A husky may be bred with a |
| layer, with the undercoat acting as | | | | wolf, setters, or any other breed that can |
| insulation against the ice and snow. Because | | | | bring genetic advantages in speed and |
| they have such thick coats, they need regular | | | | endurance. Sled dog racing is a winter and |
| brushing and grooming. They also shed a lot, | | | | fall sport where the sled dogs are attached |
| especially at the beginning of summer when | | | | to a sled (or a 3 or 4 wheeled cart in |
| they lose a lot of their undercoat. This | | | | autumn), and pull the driver along. The |
| could be a problem for people with dog | | | | driver stands on runners. The dogs are |
| allergies. Traditional sled dog breeds | | | | harnessed individually, with tug lines |
| include the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan | | | | attached that are linked into a central gang |
| Malamute, the Chinook, the Sakhalin Husky, | | | | line. The dogs are linked in pairs, and there |
| the Canadian Eskimo dog, the Seppala Siberian | | | | are up to 22 dogs in a racing team. Teams |
| sled dog, the Tamaskan husky, the Samoyed, | | | | race either against the clock, and a winner |
| the Eurohound, the Mackenzie River husky, and | | | | then announced, or against each other in a |
| the Greenland dog. Whilst these dogs were | | | | seemingly chaotic race. There are dog sled |
| purpose bred, many other breeds have been | | | | races in three categories - short distance, |
| used, including mixed breeds. These days, | | | | middle distance, and long distance. Like the |
| that tradition lives on in sled dog racing, | | | | sled dog breeds themselves, the sport of sled |
| where the most popular breeds include the | | | | dog racing has seen some interesting |
| Alaskan Husky, and various cross breeds, | | | | adaptions to modern times and different |
| often based on the German Shorthaired | | | | climates. In Australia, for example, where |
| Pointer. However, many breeds have been used, | | | | there is very little snow, even in winter, |
| including the poodle! Alaskan huskies are | | | | sled dog races are held. Here, modified |
| favored in modern sled dog races because they | | | | scooters are used, and racing is done on dirt |
| are faster than traditional breeds like the | | | | tracks. Australian sled dog racers tend to |
| Alaskan malamute or the samoyed. They are not | | | | use all sorts of dogs as sled dogs, including |
| as strong, but in sled dog racing where speed | | | | kelpies, english pointers, and red heelers. |