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