Sled Dog History

Faithful. Diligent. Tireless. These are just some of the words used by polar explorers to describe the dogs that helped them on their treks across the frozen continents. Explorers such as Nansen, Amundsen, Victor and Peary let snow dogs pull them to places never before reached by man, and thence to glory. Leaders of less successful expeditions, such as Shackleton and Scott, were hampered by their lack of dog-driving experience, but were nonetheless impressed by the ease and speed with which these dogs moved across the snow. Expedition dogs worked in the cruelest of climates and under the worst of conditions. They endured limited rations, blizzards, and deep crevasses. Often they were required to give up their lives for the sake of the survival of the team. And still they pulled, day after day-reportedly with their tails wagging as they went.

Polar explorers used snow dogs to accomplish a goal or realize a dream, such as traversing Greenland or attaining the South Pole. For centuries before, the native people of the Arctic regions used snow dogs to ensure their day-to-day survival. In those harsh regions, dogs such as the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky, and the Samoyed hauled food and other necessary supplies from place to place, transported people as the seasons warranted, and herded and protected the tribes' reindeer. The dogs, which were allowed to sleep inside igloos and tents at night, also provided much-needed body heat to their people; a deep bond of companionship and friendliness was a fortunate by-product of this practice.

Arctic explorers brought word of the all-purpose usefulness of the snow dogs to the rest of the world, and they were subsequently exported for use in places such as Alaska (particularly during the Gold Rush) and the Antarctic. These days, with even the most desolate regions accessible by snowmobile or airplane, dogs are not viewed as essential for transport at the poles. (In fact, dogs are no longer even allowed on the Antarctic continent for fear they will introduce parasites or bacteria into that fragile ecosystem.) The dogs themselves, however, have become beloved as companions, and dog sledding, or mushing, is still enjoyed by many as an exciting pastime and a competitive sport.

The first American sled dog mush was the All-Alaskan Sweepstakes held in 1908. Since then, sledding has taken off all over the country and around the world. The most famous mush is, of course, the Iditarod Trail, an annual run that stretches over 1000 miles across the difficult terrain from Anchorage to Nome. The Yukon Quest is another 1000-mile plus mush, which runs from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon. To compete in these famous mushes requires untold hours of training and conditioning, for the mushers as well as their dogs; to win is to prove just how much a human and a dog team, bound together by mutual respect, can accomplish.

Those of us with a little less ambition can still enjoy the thrill of dog sledding; all it takes is a dog or two, some snow, and the right equipment. Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds are the breeds most frequently used in mushing. Another popular way to enjoy the snow or dry-land and your dog is carting, which involves being pulled on a dryland cart behind a dog team. Participation in these activities it does require a great deal of training to avoid injury to yourself and the dogs. However, those who dedicate the time to become proficient mushers rate it as an exhilarating experience-which, for many of them, quickly becomes an obsession.

Most importantly, perhaps, is the fact that the snow dogs love to sled too. The Nordic breeds were bred to pull, to please their humans, and to work together with other dogs as a team. Sledding brings all these abilities together in one beautiful ride.

The Mushing Dog Breeds

The Alaskan Malamute is well known as the freight train of the north with its strength and stamina in being able to go and go for many hours in pulling heavy loads with the Siberian Husky known for its speed, short distances in pulling light loads and then we get the more human and dog orientated Samoyed.

These breeds all originated in the northernmost parts of the world as sled dogs and companions. All three breeds still retain the instincts, sledding and pulling abilities with appearances that made them such valued animals centuries ago, and all of these should be considered if you want a sled dog as a pet.

Appearance.

Alaskan Malamutes come in a variety of solid colors, while Samoyeds are pure white or a mixture of white and cream. Their triangular, well-furred ears protect against biting winds and their deep-set, almond eyes protect against snow glare. (Blue eyes are only acceptable on the Siberian.) The dogs can wrap their long, curling tails around their noses for added warmth in bitter cold. All three have a long, harsh outer coat and a dense undercoat designed to protect them from the elements. (The Samoyed's coat is more profuse than the Siberian's or Malamute's.) This undercoat will shed moderately throughout the year and profusely once or twice a year. If you don't want dog hair all over your house, don't get a sled dog! Regular brushing is essential to maintain coat condition and to prevent matting; on the other hand, these breeds tend to keep themselves very clean.

Size and Strength.

The Malamute is the largest and most powerful of the three breeds, often weighing up to 39kg plus as compared to the 23-27kg Siberian and Samoyed. All three breeds are very strong and have a powerful pulling instinct, to which anyone who has ever walked one on leash can attest! Early training on leash is essential for any owner who would rather walk his snow dog than be walked by it. And, since they tend to be affectionate and boisterous, they should also be taught good manners early on so they can keep their size and strength under control.

Trainability.

Dogs pulling a heavy sledge across uncertain terrain, with their master several meters behind them, have to be able to use their heads and make their own decisions. Today's sled dogs retain that independent spirit. While intelligent, they can be more difficult to train than, for example, a retriever or a Border Collie. They are easily bored with repetition and may simply not see the point of some obedience exercises. (It is said that Samoyeds will not play fetch because they refuse to run after something that their owner has thrown away.) However, patience, persistence and a sense of humor can turn a sled dog into an obedient pet.

Temperament.

Sled dogs are among the friendliest of dog breeds. Since they were bred to work in teams, they are pack-oriented and love to be around people and, in most cases, other dogs accept for the Greenland Dog who can be very aggressive towards other dogs. They adore children, although play should be supervised due to their size. All of these traits make them great family pets; it also means that they should not be left alone for long periods of time. These dogs are happiest when allowed to live inside the house (accept for the Greenland Dog which is not suited for indoor living) where they can be close to their people. And while their wolf-like appearance may intimidate some, these dogs are not good guard dogs ; they see every stranger as a potential friend, accept for the Greenland Dog who makes a very good guard dog although he is not aggressive towards people.

Activity Level.

Be prepared to give your sled dog a lot of exercise. Alaskan Malamutes have the stamina to walk and run for many kilometers with the Siberians and Greenland Dogs who also love to run without getting tired. Adequate daily exercise will keep these dogs in good physical condition and prevent the boredom which can lead to destructive behavior. 

Bad habits.

Sled dogs living in the Arctic protect themselves on cold nights by sleeping in holes dug into the snow. Your sled dog will amuse itself by digging holes in your yard or under your fence. Siberians in particular are great escape artists. All of these dogs love to eat (although they don't require much food for their size) and will eat anything left out in the open; Samoyeds are known to be great "counter-surfers."

Consistent training and constructive activity can keep these bad habits to a minimum. Excessive barking is generally not a problem; however, these dogs tend to vocalize in other ways, making a "roo-roo" sound to express pleasure or attract attention. (Their owners usually see this as an endearing trait rather than a bad habit!)

In short, sled dogs are beautiful, charming, headstrong, stubborn and lovable - and often a challenge as well.