Dog Sledding Travel & Destinations Guide Worldwide

Dog Sledding

Travel Guide

Adventure in Alberta

Adventure in Alberta If you want the ultimate adventure sports holiday, there is no finer place than the Canadian Rockies to experience it. With hig...

Origin

This activity dates back hundreds of years, long before the use of motorised vehicles. Dog sleds were designed to help transport goods, and very little has changed since these early beginnings, other than as it grew into a sport dogs have been bred with more strength and stamina. The breed usually associated with dogsledding is the blue-eyed Husky although today a variety of dogs are used to race - a team of poodles have even been competing for some years now.

Get Started

There are now many trips in the winter months taking tourists out on dogsledding holidays, however if you are looking to become a musher, it's not easy or cheap. You will need to put in a lot of hard work, and show a great deal of commitment and patience before you lead your own team of dogs.

Initially, you will need a minimum of two trained dogs. This is easier said than done. Getting a dog used to being in its harness and responding to every command is crucial, and loosing control of your dog can be dangerous for all involved. Taking courses approved by the sled dog federation is a good start. Once completed, they should help you develop the essential skills you need to control a pack of dogs and your sled.

Equipment

Dogs, Harnesses and Sleds.

Style

Off-trail runs - not on a set track, runs across all types of terrain
Dry-land dogsledding - usually on dirt tracks with the dogs pulling a 3/4-wheeled cart
Nordic or Dry-land Racing - long Distance, sprint or relay

These are then categorised by the number, and class of dogs pulling the sled and whether it is a mass or timed start:

The number of dogs varies and can be from four to ten, or 'open' (an unrestricted number).
Classes – 1-4 based on weight and age of the dog.
Timed starts –where each team and Musher sets of at set intervals.
A Mass start – when up to 30 teams all set off at the same time.

Variations of dogsledding

Pulka – a skier is attached to a pulka (small sled) and pulled by either one or two dogs.
Skijoring – skiers pulled by either one or two dogs.
Canicross – runners pulled by a dog.
Bikejoring – cyclist pulled by a dog.
Scooter – a scooter pulled by a dog.

Lingo

Basket – the cargo section of sled.
Brush Bow – the bumper section of the sled, curved front.
Chute – a separate section for dogs and Mushers to head to, after a race, which is out of the way of spectators.
'Come Gee, Come Haw' – turn 180º left, turn 180º right
'Easy' – slow down.
Gangline – line between the rows of dogs attaching them to the sled.
'Gee' – Musher call to dogs, turn right.
'Haw' – Musher call to dogs, turn left.
Handle Bar – grip handle for Musher on the sled, behind the basket.
Harness Banging – when the tension on the lines is tight and the dogs are in a start position.
'Hike' – Musher call to dogs, go/speed up.
Leader – the front dog(s), those that respond to commands and calls.
Line out – Musher call to dogs, keep line straight to avoid tangles.
Lope – dogs run or canter.
Musher – The person controlling the dogs.
Neckline – line joining gangline to dogs collar.
No-mans-land – section of the track that anyone can pass on without having to call.
On by – Musher call to dogs, ignore a distraction.
Pedaling – Musher pushing the sled with one foot.
Point – also known as the swing, part of the team of dogs behind the leaders, whose job it is to follow the leader and direct the next team.
Picket Line – long line used to tie up dogs when covering long distances and setting up camp.
Runners – the long ski like sections of the sled that cut through the snow, the Musher stands on these just behind the basket.
Skijoring – skiing powered by dogs.
Sled Bag – bag attached to sled basket.
Snow Hook – a hook for keeping the dogs in one place, designed to dig deeper when pulled on.
Snub line – similar to a snow hook and picket line.
Team Dogs – the dogs between points and wheels.
Trail – Musher must call to other racers if they wish to overtake.
Tugline – lines from the harness to the gangline.
Wheel – position between the point and the sled.
Wheel Dogs – the part of the team in wheel position.
'Whoa!' – Musher call to dogs, slow and stop.

Govern

IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports)

ESDRA (European Sled Dog Racing Association)

ISDRA (International Sled Dog Racing Association)

http://www.esdra.net/sites/rules.php

http://sleddogsport.net/images/stories/ifss_race_rules_april_2009.pdf

Packing

Snowshoes
Good insulated sleeping bag
Day Bag
Personal items (medicines, toothbrush etc)
Food & drink
Thermos flask
Water
Gloves
Socks
Warm Boots
Warm hat
Good heavy weather jacket
Jumper + warm layers
Sunglasses/goggles
Sun cream
Salopettes/Waterproof trousers +insulation
Head torch
Camera + Film

Sled bag contents

Axe
Knife
Matches

Safety

For those only sampling dogsledding on holiday, simple safety rules apply: wear the correct clothing, don't pull on the ganglines while sledding, don't unharness any of the dogs, stay sat in your seat, and follow clearly the instructions from the Musher or your guide.

But most important, always remember: The musher and their dogs work as a team, so always respect both the person and the dog.

And for those new to dogsledding and considering taking it up as a hobby, most mushers will tell you: dogsledding is not a hobby, it's a way of life.

You should begin with training your dog(s). This involves committing a lot of time and is only possible with the right dogs of the correct age. Once the dogs are trained and you’re using your sled, consider your surroundings; make sure you know the area, let someone know where you go, and always take into account those around you.

If you have stepped into the world of dogsledding and want to take your team to the races, check out the race rules and regulations. For each style and discipline there are a set of rules to follow for safe racing.

Dog Sledding Travel Guide

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