| Sled Dog Breeds And Sled Dog Racing | | | | not as strong, but in sled dog racing where speed is |
| 03rd July 2006 | | | | important, and the distances are shorter, Alaskan |
| Author: Rebecca Prescott | | | | huskies were found to perform better. |
| Sled dog breeds are characterized by endurance, | | | | Alaskan husky dogs are not a recognized breed. |
| strength, and intelligence. They are usually medium to | | | | They are bred for their performance, and so they |
| larger dogs, with a very muscular build, and have | | | | cannot be easily characterized as a breed. Alaskan |
| helped mankind transport supplies in times before the | | | | husky dogs represent a variety of types with |
| automobile. | | | | different lines. They are hybrid dogs - a husky with |
| Nowadays, sled dog breeds are found as pets, as | | | | another breed, that is determined by the needs and |
| well as trained to participate in sled dog racing. | | | | ideas of the breeders. A husky may be bred with a |
| Sled dogs were developed to withstand very low | | | | wolf, setters, or any other breed that can bring |
| temperatures. Their coats have a double layer, with | | | | genetic advantages in speed and endurance. |
| the undercoat acting as insulation against the ice and | | | | Sled dog racing is a winter and fall sport where the |
| snow. Because they have such thick coats, they | | | | sled dogs are attached to a sled (or a 3 or 4 |
| need regular brushing and grooming. They also shed a | | | | wheeled cart in autumn), and pull the driver along. |
| lot, especially at the beginning of summer when they | | | | The driver stands on runners. The dogs are |
| lose a lot of their undercoat. This could be a problem | | | | harnessed individually, with tug lines attached that are |
| for people with dog allergies. | | | | linked into a central gang line. The dogs are linked in |
| Traditional sled dog breeds include the Siberian Husky, | | | | pairs, and there are up to 22 dogs in a racing team. |
| the Alaskan Malamute, the Chinook, the Sakhalin | | | | Teams race either against the clock, and a winner |
| Husky, the Canadian Eskimo dog, the Seppala Siberian | | | | then announced, or against each other in a seemingly |
| sled dog, the Tamaskan husky, the Samoyed, the | | | | chaotic race. There are dog sled races in three |
| Eurohound, the Mackenzie River husky, and the | | | | categories - short distance, middle distance, and long |
| Greenland dog. | | | | distance. |
| Whilst these dogs were purpose bred, many other | | | | Like the sled dog breeds themselves, the sport of |
| breeds have been used, including mixed breeds. | | | | sled dog racing has seen some interesting adaptions |
| These days, that tradition lives on in sled dog racing, | | | | to modern times and different climates. In Australia, |
| where the most popular breeds include the Alaskan | | | | for example, where there is very little snow, even in |
| Husky, and various cross breeds, often based on the | | | | winter, sled dog races are held. Here, modified |
| German Shorthaired Pointer. However, many breeds | | | | scooters are used, and racing is done on dirt tracks. |
| have been used, including the poodle! | | | | Australian sled dog racers tend to use all sorts of |
| Alaskan huskies are favored in modern sled dog | | | | dogs as sled dogs, including kelpies, english pointers, |
| races because they are faster than traditional breeds | | | | and red heelers. |
| like the Alaskan malamute or the samoyed. They are | | | | |