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