Sled dog racing: pulka, skijoring, sit-ski

Dogs have accompanied humans for many centuries. They have become indispensable assistants in hunting and grazing, excellent guards and companions. But we should not forget about such an area as sled racing.
These spectacular and colorful competitions have their origins in North America, where a dog team was one of the accessible and practical ways to travel.

Now there are more than 5,000 professional athletes and a huge number of amateurs who prefer this sport. Let's talk about what a beginner needs to know and what to pay attention to when studying this topic.

History of the development of sled sport

One of the first mentions of racing occurs in 1850. The route between the cities of Winnipeg and Saint-Paul was chosen as the venue for the competition. And the next event, which left documentary evidence of its occurrence, was held in 1886 in the same American city of Saint-Paul.

History shows that the true development of this sport occurred during the Gold Rush. It was during this period that prospectors actively conquered the vastness of the White Desert. The mines were located in remote parts of the country, so the use of dog sleds to move people and equipment became the most affordable and effective solution.

Within a short period of time, a special class of drivers was formed, called mushers. Their main task was to deliver miners and food to remote mines.

And already in 1907, the first real competitions between the best mushers and their teams were held in the city of Nome. One of the significant figures in the competition was its founder, Scotty Allen. But the silver medalist of the 1932 Winter Games, Leonard Sepalla, was no less popular at that time.

Experts say that one of the reasons for such a loud popularity of this sport in the United States was the story of the dog Bolto. He was the leader of the team, which, under the leadership of musher Gunnar Kaasen, accomplished a real feat.

The musher and his dogs were able to deliver diphtheria serum during the epidemic. The team managed to fight its way through a severe snowstorm and its leader became a hero of the United States.

Gradually, sledding sport migrated from North America to Norway, and then to other European countries. An expedition led by Rasmussen and Nansen played an important role in the popularization of such races.

They used dogs to transport cargo and move people across the expanses of the North. Fans of racing began to unite in special clubs only in the seventies of the twentieth century.

In the Soviet Union, competitions were held at the level of the northern regions and the media poorly covered this event. But already in 1990 a race called “Beringia” took place. Its length was 250 km. And just a year later, the dream of sports fans came true and an incredibly long race was held.

Its route passed between two settlements and ran from Nome and Anadyr. In 2014, the Russian Sled Sports Federation was created, uniting scattered amateur clubs under its wing.

Dog racing - what is it?

The main task of mushers is to compete for speed, maneuverability and endurance. Sled dogs are used as draft force. Depending on the conditions of the competition and the weather, the presence of snow cover and other factors, the musher can use any of the types of equipment allowed by the race conditions.

Permitted equipment includes:

Scooters;
Sled;
Cards;
Skis;
Bicycles, etc.

A huge selection of equipment and routes makes this sport accessible to anyone, regardless of their training. But the greatest recognition is enjoyed by participants of long distances, the length of which can be up to 2000 km. The number of dogs in a team ranges from 16 to 20, and the duration of the competition is several days.

Cost of sledding

We have a WHOLE BUNCH of different skating options, both regular skating “with a whole kilometer”, and completely our own, unique programs.

Husky riding in St. Petersburg

No program. Pure husky riding, price per kilometer

1 kilometer. Cost 1800-2200 rubles.
2 kilometers. Cost 3400-3800 rubles.
3 kilometers. Cost 4500-4900 rubles.
4 kilometers. Cost 5400-5800 rubles.
5 kilometers. Cost 6200-6600 rubles.

Either you are the only one riding in the sled, or you and the musher are riding. Mileage cannot be divided among several people. If you are coming with more than 2 people, we recommend choosing one of the programs listed below. Although even for two people, any of the programs will be much more interesting than pure kilometer distances.

Program 1. Skating + dog trekking, photo session included.

6500 (on weekdays) and 7500 (on weekends) rubles for 3-6 dogs in one sled. The number of dogs is at our discretion.

Duration 1 hour! For 2 people! Each additional person pays an additional 500 rubles. No more than 4 people!

The photo session and retouching (photo processing) are carried out by our photographer using our professional equipment. The photo session is included in the price; you cannot refuse the photo session, as it is part of the program and gives the dogs time to rest. The service takes place in dog tracking mode with a short ride, the weight load depends on the number of dogs, it is well suited for children, girls, and heavy men (even 140 kg), hugs are included:). Riding mode - in small segments in photo shoot mode.

Attention!

During the January holidays, such “clean” skating is practically not held. Riding is carried out mainly as an addition to the Interactive at the Stables program. This was done in order to save the dogs energy and reduce their moral fatigue;

Program 2. Riding + dog trekking + horses + interactive program

Interactive at the stables + included sled riding.

Duration 1.5-2 hours. 8500 for two people. 9500 for three people. 10500 for four people. 11500 for 5 people.

Duration 2-2.5 hours. Expanded interactive, which includes not only horses (+ ponies), raccoons, foxes, etc., but also sleigh rides. 12500 rubles for 6 people

. Each additional person pays an additional 2,000 rubles. No more than 8-9 people. If there are more of you, write, we will come up with an interesting program.

Program 3. Express course for a musher

Express musher course is a SUPER program

. Do you want to learn a lot of new things, communicate with dogs and have a good ride (even in the “we don’t know where in the forest” mode) in a sled? It's definitely your choice.

Cost: 15,000 rubles for one or two people. Yes, the price is the same. We recommend coming as a couple!

Duration: about 3 hours.

Program 4. Dog trekking (walking with dogs) + photo shoot

Dog trekking - 4500 - an hour walk with sled dogs: Samoyeds, huskies. 2-4 dogs, everything happens in a photo shoot followed by retouching;

Riding sport and its varieties

In the process of development, sledding sport was divided into several directions. Modern classification unites them into two main groups:

Snowless racing, which is collectively known as dryland . Their peculiarity was the use of equipment designed for moving across terrain without snow;
Winter sports designed for a certain snow depth and temperature conditions.

In turn, each of these areas developed in different vectors and led to the formation of disciplines with unique equipment and rules.

Dryland includes:

Canicross . The musher runs after his pet. The dog and the person are connected by a leash running from the collar to a mount on the owner’s belt;
Dogtracking . A feature of this direction was the ability to move at any speed convenient for the musher and the dog. That is, running, walking, etc. are allowed;
Bikejoring . The team consists of 1-2 dogs. The musher moves on a bicycle, and the harness is attached to the steering wheel or a specially mounted bracket on the bicycle;
Scooting . 1-2 dogs included in the team with the help of ammunition must be fastened to the scooter on which the musher is located;
Karting . A team of 4-10 dogs takes part in the competition. They must be connected using ammunition with a special device. Depending on the modification, it has 3-4 wheels.

Disciplines that were traditionally held in the snowy northern regions deserve special attention. They are divided into:

Sled dogs: what you need to know about them and how they were bred

The breed has brown or blue eyes.
And this one has both options at once. One of the coolest stories of Tutu Adventures is how polar explorers Dmitry and Matvey Shparo lead expeditions of schoolchildren to the North Pole. Yes, right to the very pole - on skis. In the children's camp "Big Adventure" in Karelia, where you can go just like that, and young polar explorers come to prepare for the expedition, there live 60 sled dogs. You can simply live with these dogs for 14 days or go on a long trekking route.

A year and a half ago, some of the dogs were transferred to Moscow. In the north of Sokolniki Park there is a fenced-off area of the husky park, where you can cuddle with Siberian huskies and Chukchi sled dogs. Just walk to the base, pay 400 rubles for a ticket and find yourself among a tangle of shaggy dogs. These are the very dogs that take part in the adventure; it’s just that every Muscovite can reach them.

And the beauty is that they are safe for humans. The base breed from which they were bred were simply packs of dogs that lived near the camps of nomadic peoples. There were Chukchi yarangas, and free-ranging dogs were running around. And if at least one of them (any one) growls at the child, then she is immediately shot as dangerous.

Many generations of culling dogs that were aggressive towards people and selecting the most obedient ones (for sled riding) have produced a dog that begins to fawn over every person it sees. But in this case, this does not mean that they do not compete with each other.

What are sled dogs?

These are animals that were specially bred to transport goods and people.
Husky is a selective breed (specially created), but the basic (aboriginal) ancestors are not very different in character and appearance. Huskies, Chukchi sled dogs, Malamutes and other sled breeds are different options for adapting a dog to transport a sled. For example, Malamutes are needed to carry large, heavy loads over short distances. They become attached to their owner and are quite aggressive. Huskies are smaller, but more resilient: the selection was made so that they could pull sleds for a very long time. As I already said, the original breed, due to selection conditions, became very friendly to people. The second property is that there is no connection to a specific owner, because they did not live in “man-dog” pairs, but simply near the camps. Well, the team can be led by different people, so there was no reason for such connections to form. That is, virtually any new person, after a minimum of time, they begin to perceive as an ordinary dog - the owner. The third property is that they are very good hunters, but they hunt for themselves and do not bring anything to people. Because in the summer they look for their own food, and in the winter they are fed with stocked frozen fish. In the nursery, of course, they receive food all year round from people.

What are they doing at the children's camp?

In April 2006, Matvey Shparo went to the North Pole with Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Then they took dog sleds. After the expedition, the prince gave the first dogs to Matvey, they were left in a camp in Karelia. Then it turned out that they really love communicating with children and are very helpful in children's programs and children's trips. They began to breed and purchase them, and in 10 years there were about 60 of them. A year and a half ago, they wanted to open a dog area in Sokolniki Park and offered to bring some of the dogs to Moscow. They fenced off about a hectare of forest, made a base, and brought 16 dogs. Now there are 22 dogs at the base in Sokolniki (six puppies have already been born here). For the winter, two more teams of 12 dogs are transferred from Karelia to Sokolniki, because there is a lot of skiing in Moscow, social programs are held for disabled children, and there are clearly more people who want it than the capabilities of the “Moscow” dogs. There are both huskies and Chukchi sled dogs at the base.

Husky.

Chukotka sledding.

Since 2008, dogs at the Big Adventure camp in Karelia began to be used for children’s hikes, including in the summer. In general, there are four ways to go somewhere with a sled dog:

Just walk - like with any other breed;
Harness from 2 to 12 dogs to the sleds (for long treks there are usually teams of 6 dogs: the front ones are smart and know the commands well, the root dogs of the sled are the strongest and move the sleds when they get stuck, and in the middle there are a couple of not the most experienced ones);
Put the dog in a harness (so that the pressure is not transferred to the collar, but is distributed throughout the body closer to the center of gravity) and attach the leash to the skier’s belt. Then the dog will pull the skier. And the skier can shout to her the usual teams for the sled, turning it right and left and speeding up and slowing down with his voice. This team consists of one dog.
And do the same thing in the summer, only not skiing, but running. Children from about 6 years old can already confidently run with dogs after minimal training: for example, the standard summer program is 2-3 kilometers around the base in Sokolniki with stops. The main thing is not to forget the commands, otherwise it will turn out that it is not the child who controls the dog, but the dog who controls the child.

Photo of the stand: this is last summer.
Here on Tutu Adventures you can see a 14-day itinerary with dogs.

The next important aspect of working with dogs is that they greatly help children socialize. They provide a lot of kinesthetic development (it is very important for small children to feel something, but here you can squeeze, stroke, and the dog will also try to play). The only thing is that at this age children often get carried away and either try to tear off the dog’s ear, or simply “flirt” the animal to the stage of “leave me alone, everyone,” so this must be done in the presence of an adult. Over 12 years in the Karelian camp, more than ten thousand children went through classes with dogs, and never bitten or scratched anyone. Due to the peculiarities of selection, a husky, even when it is very unpleasant, tries to get out and go into the booth. You can’t go into the booth after her - this is very strict. There she hides from all the hardships of life.

Naturally, dogs are larger than children, and can drop a child out of joy or put their paws on his shoulders, which can also scare him. Therefore, all classes for the little ones are in the presence of a parent and a base employee.

Another aspect of working with dogs is treatment (canistherapy). There are many different options for using dogs for therapy or rehabilitation. An indicative case took place last year at the base in Sokolniki: a boy with autism spectrum disorder suddenly became very interested in one of the dogs. Before that, he had not talked to anyone: neither with his parents, nor with other children, nor with psychologists. He was sent to the dogs. At first he was just playing, and then suddenly he started trying to talk to the dog he liked.

But don’t think that you can become attached to a healing dog and all your ailments will go away. Canistherapy is a versatile technique and a long process; for some, dog doctors help restore motor functions, for others they replace a psychotherapist. In Finland, for example, training with dogs has become firmly established in the practice of speech therapists. You can lie down with a bunch of dogs and treat chronic stress, canistherapy can help with autistic disorders and delayed development, dogs are good for problems with motor functions. Publications - here. There is a book in Russian “Therapeutic Cynology. Theoretical approaches and practical implementation.” “Therapeutic” dogs have special training - they, like therapists, are certified. First - selection, then - training. The norm for a dog’s work in France is two sessions a day, 1 hour each, then the dogs get tired. Why do they get tired? Because, for example, the child needs to scratch it for 15 minutes straight. The dog in this activity must stand silently and not hide. Certified dogs are very patient. In France, too, there is an activity where a patient reads a book to a dog, and she listens very carefully and constantly looks at him, without correcting him. Helps to gain confidence.

What do you need to know about the harness?

Sled dogs live in packs and have a clear hierarchy. The aboriginal breed simply independently divided into small groups at the camp, and when it was necessary to assemble a team, they simply took part of the group: they got along well in advance. But with selective huskies, the sled team needs to be assembled anew every year.

They love to run with sleds, and at first even “non-matching” dogs are carried away by the excitement and pull happily. But when they get a little tired, disagreements begin. Then problems arise with following commands: two dogs did the command, but two more did not, because they are too dominant to do like these two. In the worst case scenario, a fight may break out. As a result, the musher (the person driving the team) must know each dog and place only those that match together. At the beginning of each year, the base's mushers first test dogs of two, then pairs are assembled into groups of four, and then teams of six dogs are assembled. For four teams to work in the park, 24 dogs are needed, plus several spare ones. This process occurs anew every year, because over the course of a year the places in the hierarchy change: the dogs are quite aggressive among themselves and can sort things out. Often young animals mature and displace older dogs from dominant positions.

They fight often (if allowed). In the husky park they sit separately (they do not reach each other), but walk freely in groups of several dogs so that there are no obvious opponents within the group. During walks, the level of internal aggression decreases as they scatter around the territory and begin to look for entertainment. They react very nervously to horses in Sokolniki: some hide, some try to hunt them. Foxes and very rarely moose also come to the base. They also react sensitively to them and scare them away.

Can I come in and touch the dogs today?

Yes.
The main service of the husky park is that you can simply come and spend an hour with the dogs. A ticket costs 400 rubles on a weekend and 300 rubles on a weekday. It’s better to call in advance: on weekends there is a tight schedule, but on weekdays you can arrive almost any time. During lunch there are almost no visitors from 12:00 to 16:00 on weekdays, so all the dogs will play with you at once. 15-20 minutes - for the educational part and safety precautions, the rest of the time is just you and the dogs. The base is open from 10:00 to 18:00 every day except Monday. The second way of entertainment is sled riding. This is mainly in winter, because snow is needed (in summer, sledges can be replaced with a special cart on wheels). You can go with a musher or on your own (after preparation). On your own - either for a short time in a team of two dogs, or after courses: children who engage in sledding are trained at the base. This is a long training program. The children of the “School of Mushers” not only ride with the dogs, but also take care of them - even give them a special massage.

Well, you can run with your dog or go skiing with it in winter. Jogging with dogs is very popular in the summer. If you agree in advance, you can order an animation program for a group of 10 children or more - this is about an hour-long quest around Sokolniki with orienteering and running from point to point with dogs. Birthdays are often celebrated this way, because then it’s 15–20 minutes for cake and tea in the Arctic module.

This particular module has never been to the North Pole, but was used in training children polar explorers in Karelia. There is a small museum of polar equipment here.

In these same children's groups, team-building exercises are done, which is also important for some classes.

Foreign tourists are often brought to the base (in winter) - just for a ride in a sled. But dog handlers say: this often happens to them on the first or second day of arrival in Russia, so the Thais, Vietnamese and Chinese simply jump out of the bus into the snowdrifts and start taking pictures. The dogs are noticed within 20 minutes.

Place for safety instructions: “Don’t tear off the dog’s ears!”

For gatherings around the fire.

Ordinary life of the base

There are dog handlers at the base, Natalya and Natalya.
One of them is also a certified canis therapist, and the second is a veterinarian. The morning begins with feeding, and different dogs receive different food and different vitamins. Because there are one-year-old puppies and old dogs at the base. After 10 years, they begin to reach an honorable old age, and they need to take care of their joints, so they need special food. Then they need to be given water. Then clean the enclosure. Then the dogs run. In April, they actively shed, they are combed out so that their fur does not come out when guests arrive. Then you just need to keep an eye on it and periodically add water. Classes begin: dog handlers work with each dog individually. The basic commands for the harness are here below:

This is the most important thing for a dog. They are not taught to give paw or other non-functional commands. The maximum set, besides these commands for sledding or running, is also “wait”, “sit”, “don’t eat”, “eat”.

Here is an example task:

Next - periodic treatment, visits to the veterinary clinic. There are cycles of mandatory prevention against helminths and other parasites, annual vaccinations including rabies, regular ear cleaning and nail trimming.

At the base there is a very old dog with a bad spine; she lives separately because she is not allowed to even hug people for a long time. In winter she had a heater and slept next to it.

Puppies born at the base were trained separately. First - quarantine: from infancy you can’t go near people, because small puppies don’t really have immunity. Then, as they grow older and are vaccinated, they gradually become acquainted with dog handlers, and then their social circle gradually expands. They brought employees from the office so that the dogs knew that people are different. Then they began to take the puppies outside, show them to the children, and pet them. Step by step, the puppies learned that people are different, they smell differently, they move differently, and in general. This is important because each human race smells very differently, and tourists from all over the world come to visit the base. Puppies are surprised at first (may be scared), then they get used to it. The main thing was that we had time to teach this before the World Cup, because a lot of new people were coming.

The training is also separate. Usually young dogs are trained separately from experienced ones: the first lessons are carried out together, when the young dog watches what needs to be done. They perfectly follow other dogs.

How to prepare for a hike with dogs?

Dress in such a way that you are not afraid of getting dirty.
Dogs jump, lick, rub their fur. It is very important not to take furry things: they hunt for anything furry and get very excited when they see fur. In winter, children came with pompoms on their hats, the dogs tried to eat them - some kind of instinct also caught on. The first time they usually play with everyone, the second or third time they come to certain dogs.

Huskies themselves are very energetic and love people. When you come to the enclosures with the same guard dogs, the dog handlers often hold balls over your shoulder or behind your back, which the dogs play with during training, so they begin to carefully monitor the toys. And people think that they are paying attention to them. With huskies you don’t need anything like that: they immediately run up to play with you. True, not all of them: some are not in a good mood, some like silence, some are tired after training, but 18–19 out of 22 dogs are usually ready to communicate.

Another interesting case: parents brought a boy about 5 years old who was afraid of dogs. We started with the calmest ones. They taught him how to iron properly, so as not to pull the fur. How to approach, extend your hand and not move, so that you can sniff and get to know each other. They said that the child began to concentrate more and interact better with his parents. There was an adult who overcame a child's fear of dogs, but it took more time.

It is best to scratch the croup (back of the back), neck, and muzzle closer to the forehead. Some of the friendliest ones stick their bellies out: this is a sign of trust, you have to be very careful. There are dogs that are constantly trying to expose their croup, so when they try to take a photo they end up without a “face.” And there are those who understand the game with the camera and look into the lens.

That's basically all I wanted to tell you about sled dogs. With us were the head of the base, Vladimir Rodionov:

Dog handler, canis therapist and instructor of children's and youth tourism Natalya Akimova:

And canine veterinarian Natalya Kosenko:

And, of course, the base dogs:

The website of the base is here, Address: 5th Luchevoy Prosek, ow. 16-A, telephone.

Great adventures (multi-day) in Shparo camps and with dogs are here: you can choose a health program for your child for the summer. Check out the links, there are very detailed programs and a lot of training. Well, here are the photos:

Photos from this adventure.

This is from trekking with a husky.

And this is from a camp with a bunch of radial trips.

Our other posts Tutu Adventures: unusual tourism, about yachts, about vaccinations, about going on tours, about travel health insurance.

Racing equipment

The success of the competition directly depends on the quality of the equipment used, as well as on how well the ammunition is fitted. It includes:

Harness. We are talking about a special model for sled dogs. The harness is designed to evenly distribute the load on the musculoskeletal system of the thoracic region. The manufacturer uses synthetic materials that can withstand impressive loads;

You might be interested in our article: How to choose a harness for a dog. Tips for owners

Collar. A half-choke harness made of nylon is used to secure animals in one row;
A durable alloy carabiner for connecting the harness to the main harness;
Pull. Made of nylon fiber and is a durable cable;
Shock absorber. Its installation location is the beginning of the main pull. The shock absorber is designed to soften the load on the dog's spine when jerking;
Leash. The musher uses it to secure the team to a pole, tree or other fence.

This is important: for serious competitions, equipment is made individually for each dog. Only in this case, when using high-quality synthetic materials, can the risk of injury, abrasions and other unpleasant incidents during the competition be eliminated.

Review of foods recommended for sled dogs

In order for your pet to grow up strong and healthy, it should be fed properly, and this is especially important for working dogs.

Providing your pet with a balanced diet based on natural products is not an easy task, so dog food manufacturers have taken care of a special menu.

Products of Eukanuba (Eukanuba) are an American brand with a 60-year history, the range of which is represented exclusively by premium and super-premium segment formulations:

Dog Breeder Adult Platinum Performance for working dogs - granules with a high (30%) amount of protein and a fat content of 20%, for strong, strong muscles and support for overall working tone. Also suitable for whelping and nursing bitches, as well as for animals with underweight. Includes a complete range of nutrients to maintain your fine senses.
Dog Breeder Adult for older dogs of large breeds - A special composition that ensures normal functionality of the joints. Includes elements with glucosamine as well as chondroitin sulfate.
Dog Breeder Adult Large Breed - An ideal diet for large (up to 40 kg) and huge (weighing more than 40 kg) dogs. The low fat content in the feed guarantees optimal weight and prevents obesity and joint diseases. Among the components are animal proteins, carbohydrates, plant fiber, vitamin and mineral supplements. Suitable for breeds such as Malamutes, Greenland sled dogs and other sled dogs.
Dog Breeder Adult for dogs of medium breeds is a balanced, ready-made diet, where the main ingredient is chicken meat.
Dog Breeder Adult Medium Breed for adult dogs weighing 10-25 kg - Combines the best qualities of Eukanuba brand products for medium dog breeds. The food is ideal for huskies and mixed-breed sled dogs.

Products Eukanuba (Eukanuba)

Ready-made formulations of excellent quality and from other manufacturers:

Bewi Dog H-energy from Royal Canine

Orijen 6 fish from the Canadian brand Orijen

ACANA COBB CHICKEN AND GREENS – grain-free food from Acana

Working dogs eat such food with pleasure, look great and remain active for a long time, which is unanimously confirmed by breeders and owners. For those who prefer to feed their pets “naturally”, it is important to include the following products in the diet:

Meat , which should make up at least 70% of the total food, as it serves as the main supplier of protein for the dog’s body. It is better if it is turkey, as well as venison or beef, of moderate fat content.
By-products - poultry or beef. They contain a whole complex of vitamins and microelements. Tripe is very useful. It should definitely be given to your dog, especially during puppyhood.
Bones . They are not food as such, but are needed to maintain dental health and prevent caries. It is better to offer your dog large bones. Tubular ones are dangerous, so they are not suitable. They are dangerous because the sharp edges can injure the esophagus and stomach.
Cartilage is a source of collagen and other beneficial microelements. As a rule, they are given along with meat.
Porridge . Northern sled dogs are allowed only rice, oatmeal and buckwheat. Porridge is healthy and stimulates proper digestion, so it should make up at least 10% of the diet.
Sea fish . This is the traditional food of northern sled dogs. It is rich in amino acids, vitamins and other microelements and should be periodically present in the diet.
Fermented milk products are a source of calcium, which is so necessary for the health of the musculoskeletal system. You can only give products with low fat content.
Eggs . Only the yolk is allowed in chicken eggs, but quail eggs can be fed completely.
Vegetables are sources of vitamins. Cabbage deserves special attention, but tomatoes can be given to a minimum so as not to provoke allergies. In addition, the dog must necessarily consume carrots and pumpkin, greens and zucchini.
Vitamin supplements . They enrich the diet, making it healthy, but it is advisable to purchase them after consultation with a veterinarian.

By-products are very useful for sled dogs

The list of foods that should not be given to sled dogs includes:

fresh milk;
chicken egg white;
chocolate and other sweets;
grapes and potatoes;
vitamin preparations intended for humans;
smoked meats, saltiness and marinades;
spicy, fatty fried foods.

In order for your pet to grow and develop correctly, it is important to follow a feeding schedule. This is especially true in the first months of a pet’s life, when the body is actively growing.

Table 1. Optimal daily diet for sled dogs in the first year of life.

Age, months	Recommended number of feedings, times
up to 2	4 — 5
from 2 to 3	3 — 4
from 3 to 6	3
from 6 to 12	2 — 3

A one-year-old puppy is taught to eat 1-2 times a day, like an adult. Exceptions include periods of pregnancy and illness. In these cases, it is better to obtain recommendations on the regime and diet from the veterinarian who will observe the dog. The specialist will give advice, taking into account the characteristics of age, health status and other parameters.

Video - From the tribe of hot dogs

Popular competitions

For the information of athletes who want to take part in modern races, we provide information about the time and place of their holding. The most popular include:

"Following the trail of yellow leaves." Venue of the Moscow Region, Volkusha quarry, October. Dryland competition type. The mushers cannot be younger than 12 years old. For dogs, the age limit is 12 months or older.
"Silver Boat". The venue was the Kostroma region. The nearby village of Nikolskoye awaits athletes in early December. The age of participants is from 9 years in different groups. Competitions are held in two areas: skyjoring and sledding. Participants can choose a distance of any length, starting from 500m. You can also try your hand at a 5 km long track, and for serious mushers there is a 20 km track. All dog breeds are welcome, including mongrels.
"Through the land of Sampo." January, Karelia. Professional racing. Dogs of any breed are allowed to participate; the musher cannot be under 18 years of age. Competitions are held in two areas: harness racing and skyjoring. Athletes can choose a distance of 6 km, and for the more experienced and well-prepared, the organizers offer a choice of a length of 10 or 40 km;
"Northern Hope". Chukotka, sleds. The age category for mushers is 18+, and for dogs the age limit is under 18 months. The length of the route is 500 km;
"Beringia". Chukotka. The length of the route is 1500 km. Sled. The age category of mushers is 18+; the dog cannot be younger than 18 months.

Most regions have equipped trails designed for regular exercise. They allow you to hone the skills of a musher, as well as instill in dogs the necessary skills and increase the level of endurance.

How to start training

Systematic and regular training is the key to success. And racing with sled dogs was no exception. Great attention should be paid to the coordinated work of the dog and the driver. And the balanced and nutritious diet of the dog, as well as the process of bringing it into optimal physical shape.

The main part of the competition takes place in the cold season. But athletes carry out intensive training all year round, with the exception of the hot period. All preparation can be divided into 3 key periods:

Leisure. Lasts from May to August. This is the ideal period for your pet to rest. Swimming, long walks and moderate exercise help maintain the dog’s tone;
Workout. September - January. During this period, the skills and exercises necessary to participate in the race are developed;
Performances. The organizers choose the period from January to March-April for them. At this stage, participants must show their achievements and demonstrate their acquired skills to the maximum extent possible.
The preparation of equipment deserves special attention. For the dog, you should individually make ammunition, and also train the animals to work with a certain type of equipment. This will make it easier to complete the distance.

You may also be interested in our article: Training and training of hunting dogs

The training program is developed by the musher or his trainer. All data on weather and loads are recorded, and the likelihood of injury to competition participants is assessed. The animals and the musher must be in perfect shape before the start of the competition and the dogs must unquestioningly obey all commands.

This is important: you can start training in any region. It is enough to contact the kennel club and experienced breeders will tell you how and where to start the training process.

Riding "movie stars"

Fluffy cabbies are special representatives of the dog world and a reason for endless admiration. One can only be amazed at their working qualities, ability to survive in harsh northern winters and selfless devotion to people. The beauty, intelligence and character traits of working dogs have made them frequent participants in the film process and real screen stars. The palm in this matter belongs to the husky. They starred in the following films, which became popular and beloved:

White Captivity (produced in USA, 2005)

The plot is based on a story about a scientific expedition to the Arctic, where a meteorite recently fell. The main character Jerry and his friend go in search of him. A sudden change in the weather forces the scientists to leave the base, where the huskies remain in sleds. Abandoned and forgotten animals struggle for several months in the middle of a snowy desert.

Still from the film “White Captivity”

The Snowy Five (produced in the USA, 2008)

This is the story of retriever puppies who, by the will of fate, got on a plane that brought them to distant Alaska. Here they made new friends in the dog Shasky, as well as his owner Adam. A man had long wanted to take part in dog sled racing, but he needed dogs to fulfill his dream. As if by magic, he receives a magnificent team of traveling retrievers for Christmas, who, together with their friend Shasky, are ready to compete for the main prize.

Still from the film “The Snowy Five”

Snow Racer (production: Canada - UK, 2001)

Travel agent Kevin is tired of the monotony of life and dreams of interesting events. One day he receives news that he has become the heir to a plot in Alaska. The hero sets off on a journey to take part in sled racing, because it is then, according to the terms of the will, that he can become a landowner. In the company of his faithful husky dogs, Kevin accepts the challenge of fate and becomes a contender for victory.

Still from the film “Snow Racer”

The Last Trapper (production: France - Germany - Switzerland - Italy - Canada, 2004)

The main character, Norman Winter, lives far from the noise of the city, among beautiful mountains, with his wife and Siberian Husky dogs. He hunts and suffers from the fact that in the name of civilization people destroy nature by destroying forests. It is noteworthy that the plot was based on real events.

Still from the film “The Last Trapper”

Snow Dogs (production: Canada - USA, 2002)

The action takes place in Miami. The main character Ted one day learns that a certain woman left him an inheritance in Alaska. It turned out that the will was written by the mother. This is how the truth about adoptive parents was revealed. To sort everything out, the man goes to Alaska, where, among other things, he inherits a pack of huskies, who did not immediately approve of the new owner.

Still from the film “Snow Dogs”

Iron Will (produced in USA, 1994)

A tragic event occurs in the life of the main character, teenager Will, - he loses his father. The head of the family was a close friend of his son and was fond of dog sled racing. Will decides to continue his work and hits the road.

Still from the film "Iron Will"

Husky Man (produced: Germany, 2011)

This is a documentary about Martin Eigentler, whose middle name is “Husky Man.” He knew and loved dogs, took part in competitions and won many races with them. Huskies became not just a hobby for him, but the meaning of life.

Still from the film “Husky Man”

An Antarctic Tale (produced: Japan, 1983)

A story about what happened at the Japanese base "Seva" in the Arctic. The management sends a group of researchers to the mainland to clarify the coordinates of the geographical object. They set off on a husky sled, but due to bad weather and an accident, the trip is delayed. A helicopter was sent for the people, but the dogs, with a supply of food, had to be left temporarily. For several months, geologist Akira Ushioda had to seek permission to return and take the dogs.

Poster for the film “An Antarctic Tale”

The Call of the Wild (produced in USA, 1997)

The main character of the film, Jack, lost his property due to a gambling loss. Fate brings him together with a man nicknamed Korotysh, who talks about a rich gold deposit. The guys decide to go there on a dog sled.

Still from the film “The Call of the Wild”

White Fang (produced in USA, 1990)

This is a film story about a half-wolf puppy, in front of whose eyes his mother died. The animal falls into the hands of an Indian and receives the nickname White Fang. The grown-up dog is sold to a new owner and put up for dog fighting. He is embittered and lives with the idea that people are cruel traitors. But one day fate sends him another owner who completely changes the pet’s life. The plot is based on the events of the novel of the same name by D. London.

Still from the film “White Fang”

Films featuring sled dogs help to better understand the life of these animals, the characteristics of their character and behavior, as well as the facets of relationships with humans.