The term Canicross is of European origin. Cross means to move
cross country. Canicross is cross country with your dog.
Canicross is the sport of running your dog in harness with
equipment similar or the same used for skijoring. Canicross is
not simply walking the dog. Running with a dog on a leash is not
Canicross. In Canicross the dog pulls you. Your hands are free
because your dog is attached at the belt. You need a belt, a
line with an integrated shock cord and a harness for the dog.
Dog speeds versus Human Speeds
In Canicross, the dog is taught to keep tension on the line
while traveling at human speeds. Canicross is typically a one
dog sport. Any more power than one dog is not recommended. A dog
that can heel is nice for running down hills. A head halter on a
lead is a good device for slowing a dog on the downhill if your
dog doesn't heel. Your dog should be accustomed to the halter
before you try it in a event.
Fast for a human is five minute miles over a marathon distance.
That is 19,3 kilometers per hour. Dogs on the other hand can run
19,3 kilometers per hour all day long. Sled dogs at the world
championship often run 32,2 kilometers per hour for over thirty
kilometers.
"You are only as fast as your slowest dog" is the old mushers
axiom. The slowest dog on the Canicross team is usually the
human. It is important to free run your dogs also. Regularly
let your dogs stretch it out and run at their own speed. To
train a dog for dog speeds you can free run your dogs in the off
season. If you have a place you can go where your dog can romp
free then that is great exercise for agility and speed.
Keep Your Dogs Cool
Canicross is a warmer weather sport and great care should be
taken to monitor your dogs performance. Dogs overheat easily
when working in warm temperatures. Know the limits of your dogs
and keep them well hydrated. Malamutes run most efficiently when
it is considered cold by human standards At 0 degrees C. a
Malamute will run like a steam train. At 27 degrees C. a
Malamute will hardly work. Other breeds with shorter coats may
be more heat tolerant but you should still be extra careful to
provide enough water for your dogs. If the route has no good
water then you have to carry water for your dog. Canicross
requires the dog to work, so overheating is always a concern.
Working the dogs at daybreak or at night is a good way to avoid
overheating. Avoid pavement and mid day sun. Keep the distance
conservative.
Ambient temperatures exceeding certain limits may be cause for
cancellation of events as the safety of dogs and humans is of
paramount concern.
Methods
Running Canicross takes a little more agility because while
running you often have both feet off the ground. When both feet
are off the ground, then you are a little vulnerable when a dog
is tugging you. Running downhill when a dog is pulling you is
not recommended. Your dog should know the command for easy. The
command can be reinforced with a head halter if necessary. To a
dog, a human running is still slow and your dog will rarely
break out of a trot into a lope. The lope is a more efficient
and faster stride for a dog. When a dog is loping ,all four feet
are often off the ground. A dog will break from a trot into a
lope at about 11 to 14 kilometers per hour.
When going into a walk, you have at least one foot on the ground
at all times.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Competitions are governed by local event giving organizations
and the International Sled Dog Events Associations.
RECREATIONAL MUSHING
It you are not the competitive type, recreational mushing should
be a must for you and your Alaskan Malamute.
Should you be interested in engaging with our activities, send
an e-mail to famcsa@gocco.co.za
