Dog sled

Racing across the snow

Dogsled huskies at rest, Ottawa, Canada, 2011

A dog sled or dog sleigh^[1] is a sled pulled by one or more sled dogs used to travel over ice and through snow. Numerous types of sleds are used, depending on their function. They can be used for dog sled racing.

History

Dog power has been used for hunting and travel for over a thousand years. As far back as the 10th century these dogs have contributed to human culture.^[2]

Assembling a dog sled team involves picking leader dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog is crucial so mushers take particular care of these dogs. Important too is to have powerful wheel dogs to pull the sled out from the snow. Point dogs (optional) are located behind the leader dogs, swing dogs between the point and wheel dogs, and team dogs are all other dogs in between the wheel and swing dogs and are selected for their endurance, strength and speed as part of the team. In dog sledding Siberian Huskies or Alaskan malamutes are the main types of dogs that are used for recreational sledding, because of their attractive looks and willingness to work. However, Alaskan Huskies are the most popular breed for sled dog racing, because of their endurance, good eating habits, speed, and dedication to running even when tired.

Gallery

• Dog sled in Quebec

• Indian dog sled near Fort Clark. Watercolor by Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied 1833

• Stained glass Alaskan theme, formerly part of a Seattle storefront, now in the Museum of History and Industry

• Antique dog sled at the Adirondack Museum

• Commercial sled dog kennels

References

• The Canadian Museum of Civilization - History of Dogsled mail in the Yukon

1. ^ "Collins 2012 digital dictionary". Retrieved 3 December 2014. 
2. ^ Swan, Thom. "Early Sled Dog History". Swanny's Place. Retrieved 17 October 2013.