Dog Mushing

By Mrs Barlet (adapted from https://spkennel.com/mushing-basics/ and https://iditarod.com/zuma/happy-healthy-dogs-basic-health-care/ )

Dog Mushing is dog-powered transportation. Mushing is the general term that is used when one or more dogs pull a rig. The word Mush comes from the French verb marcher. A Musher is the person who controls the dogs.

The dogs that pull sleds are called Sled Dogs. Sled Dogs can be a wide range of dog breeds. But, most commonly Alaskan Husky or Siberian Husky breeds are used in the arctic.

The primary traits of an Alaskan Husky are:

an overwhelming urge or desire to pull and run (like a Black Lab has the desire to fetch a ball)thick fur with guard hairs that can keep a husky warm in the arcticthe ability to maintain incredible fitness and endurance thus being able to run thousands of miles pulling a sled

Sled Dogs are positioned in a Dog Team in order to pull a sled or a rig. The more dogs, the more power and strength a team will have. Often the dogs are positioned in front of the sled in pairs. Each dog is fitted with a Harness. Attached to this harness is a leash called a Tug Line because they are tugging the sled with it. All tug lines attach to a Main Line that attaches directly to the sled. The Musher is at the rear of the team and rides the cart or sled.

There are no reins to steer a dog team. In order to steer, there is one or more Lead Dog at the front of the team that understands vocal direction commands given by the musher. The dogs behind the Lead Dog are called Team Dogs. The dogs one position in front of the sled are called Wheel Dogs.

Iditarod dogs are the healthiest of the healthy dogs on the planet. The health care they receive before and during the race is second to none.

During pre-race physicals and out on the trail the Chief Veterinarian is assisted by forty-five other Veterinarians specially trained in the science of sled dog medicine.

Upon arrival in a checkpoint, a vet greets the musher with the question, “Do you have any concerns about your dogs?”

Mushers are required to carry a VET notebook that’s a method of communicating cares between the vets stationed along the trail. After a basic checkup, the Vet writes comments in the notebook for the musher to carry on down the trail. At each checkpoint along the trail, the vets gather a great deal of information about each of the canine athletes from the mushers and from their own observations and examination techniques – listening through a stethoscope, gentle joint manipulation and simple tests for hydration.

Modern day mushers are proud of their canine athletes and know that team performance is directly related to the care these athletes receive. They have formed an organization known as Mush with P.R.I.D.E. The goal of the organization is to Provide Responsible Information on a Dog’s Environment.