How were sled dogs used in Alaska's history?
What traits should dogs have to be a 'superdog'?
What breeds are used mostly and why?
What type of coat is best?
What kind of training would they need in order to be prepared for the race?
What happens to dogs who are too old to race?
Hope you choose the best!
What is your favorite part of the Iditarod? I know what mine is, it is, without a doubt, the dogs. Sled dogs have been around for a while, as archaeologists have found dog sleds that were 300 years old in Alaska. In the 1800’s people used to use big dogs that tankers would bring up to them, like St. Bernard’s and German Shepherds. At first, sled dogs were just used to pull firewood and to get around, stuff like that, but soon people thought of racing them, to see who had the fastest team. It caught on quickly, and people started trying to breed the fastest dog, with the most stamina, who worked the hardest. Now, after hundreds of experiments with different dogs, including the Irish Wolfhound, for it’s lung capacity, and the English Pointer and Irish Setter, for their speed and stamina, we have come up with the Alaskan Husky, called husky because we started with the Siberian Husky. To train the puppies, mushers bring them on “puppy walks” in the forest, they hook them up to the blankline in a straight line, so that the playful ones won’t jump on each other. When the dogs are 18 months to two years, they will compete in their first race as a noncompetitive, slower team, then the musher can tell which dogs will be good sled dogs, and which he or she will sell to someone as a pet, or to another musher looking to break into the mushing world. The sled dogs will race until they are 8 to 10 years old, and then the musher might keep some, but others will go to recreational teams, or camping trips. Training dogs will take much longer than the actual race itself.
ReplyDeleteRunning the Iditarod will be impossible without dogs. These dogs are usually Alaskan Huskies. They have nice thick layers of fur that protects them from wind and water. Their favorite temperature is -20°- 10°. A good sled dog is like a person. It would be honest, hardworking, friendly, curious and have a positive attitude. The lead dogs show signs of curiosity and spunkiness. It takes months of training for dogs to learn their commands. Hike, means get moving, a kissing sound means, speed up, gee, means left turn, and haw, means right turn. Are you wondering if a dog likes pulling a sled? Well they do. They don’t know how to catch a Frisbee or even play fetch with a stick. Running is how they play. These tough, cute dogs are bred to pull. Pulling a sled is really hard, but the dogs still love it.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever wondered what makes a perfect sled dog? A perfect sled dog is not the most beautiful or the most friendly, but it would be a sled dog that is determined, brave, and willing to work until they collapse with tiredness. At the Iditarod, that’s where you will find those kinds of dogs. As some musher’s say, the dogs are judged by their performance, not looks.
ReplyDeletePart of taking care of a dog, and keeping them healthy is feeding them. As many people know, dogs LOVE to eat, so musher’s have to be cautious about how much they feed them. All the sled dogs need to run is fresh water and good food. Sometimes you will find that musher’s have their own secret recipe for their little workers. Like normal house dogs, the sled dogs shouldn’t eat table scraps or chocolate candy, or any other none canine food, but they can have a few dog treats. Musher’s give their dogs treats after they run, and also use treats to win the race. If the musher is approaching the finish line, he or she may call out “ Cookies in the truck!” or “ Home for biscuits!” and then they quickly increase their speed! Who would want to miss a plate full of biscuits? Water is one of the most important care items (or food items), dogs and people work and run better with water in their bellies, and aren’t thirsty. About 2 hours before running, musher’s give their dogs ‘baited water’. The bait is normally juice from some kind of beef, which form a juicy liquid. Only some sled dogs are in need of special bathing and clipping, but all sled dogs need to be kept clean. That also includes scraping off mud, and taking burdock out of their tails when they come in the house. Of course, that also means brushing, brushing …and brushing. Sled dogs shed a ton! But, the hair can also be reused in many ways, like helping birds build their bird nests, and it also can be spun into yarn for sweaters, scarves and mittens! When the Iditarod dogs and musher’s prepare for the race they can only hope that they can pass the health exam. Veterinarians must check their lungs, legs and body weight, to make sure that they are safe for the race. During training and the Iditarod, most musher’s keep a vet book, to keep information on each dog’s health and personal data. So as you can see, taking care of ONE sled dog can be a handful of work, and a life-changing experience.
Before you take Fido out to run in the Iditarod, you need to make sure that he has the right qualities and can take running almost 24/7. Sled dogs need everlasting endurance and the ability to rapidly adapt to exercise. If your dog is really good at leading teams, then he or she might win the Golden Harness award, like Ramey Smiths’ dog “Babe” in 2008.
ReplyDeleteThe dogs need a high fat and calorie diet, because they exercise so much when they’re pulling sleds. They are born to pull and they love it! They can easily survive at -60° Fahrenheit, but don’t run when it’s over 55. 10 to -20° are their favorite temperatures to run.
Training to be a sled dog starts when the dogs are only puppies: 6-8 months old. Most dogs race for the best spot when they are anywhere from 8 to 10 years, and then race in a slower team until ages 12 or 13. After that, they just run in easier recreational teams with younger dogs and go on camping trips. With all the exercise, sled dogs can live up to 17 years old!
One of the most common breeds that mushers use is the Alaskan Husky, which is a mixed breed (or a mutt). Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are sometimes considered a cousin, but the Alaskan Husky has more stamina, endurance and attitude.
Your dog needs to be an honest one: loyal, a happy attitude, and a willingness to pull.
You need to trust your sled dogs, and they need to be your best friend.
Of course if you are planning to run the Iditarod you are probably going to need some well-bred dogs. After all they’re the ones who will pull you into Nome. Alaskan Huskies are the most common type of sled dog breed. As all dogs that run the Iditarod, Alaskan Huskies are born to pull. Other dogs that are common to be seen pulling a sled through Nome are the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and the Canadian Eskimo Dog. Each dog that races has a very dense double coat, wide padded feet, erect ears, a curled tail that points upward, and a muscular frame. A dog is usually 45-46 pounds when they run the Iditarod.
ReplyDeleteDogs start training at the age of 6 months. They start to pull sleds for small distances of a mile at a time and gradually work there way up. Dogs can run the Iditarod until they are 10 years old. After that they can still compete on an inexperienced team in the Iditarod but not for the top spots, just for fun. They are aloud to do that until the age of 13. Then they get to the point “where their paws start to ache and their face starts wrinkle” so that’s when you know its time to slow down and just take it easy. When this happens dogs usually just pull the sled on short distances and they can pull on camping trips. But the hard thing is for a musher to say “good buy” to his old team and say “hello to his new team. As you can see picking a dog for your Iditarod team takes a lot of time and thought, because each dog that pulls your team into Nome, is a star in your eyes and a part of your family, from when they’re pups crawling all over you to when they are old and “wrinkly.”
When running the Iditarod choosing your dogs is the most important part. A good dog is a lot like a good person, says Martin Buser world record holder for the fastest time ever. He says a dog has to be hard working and friendly so they get along with the other dogs. They also have to be positive and curious so they don’t give up when they get discouraged. Buser says lead dogs show signs of being leaders from puppy hood. They have to be the most curious and spunky of all the dogs. Over the past 100 years mushers have mixed in different breeds for different attributes. Mushers have added in hounds for lung capacity, pointers for speed. Those are just a few of the many breeds that have been mixed in. When training a puppy you have to train easy at first and get harder and harder. From the ages 18 months to 2 years the dogs just go on puppy runs, short runs just to get used to the feel of being on a sled. At the age of about 2 years the dogs go on their first competitive race but go slowly at first. In the summer dogs train by pulling an A.T.V. and if they get tired the musher can turn the power on and give them an extra push. The Iditarod takes years of training and the race takes 20 days at the most, but if you ask any musher they would tell you the years of training were worth it.
ReplyDeleteRacers want to create a super dog that would help them win the race. The mushers think there are 3 important characteristics: good body build, good coat and a good head. The body of the dog is athletic and narrow and can run in a single track. They are good eaters and drinkers and weigh 45-55 pounds. They have a deep chest. This means they can have big lungs to take in lots of air when running.
ReplyDeleteThey have a good coat. It sheds water easily. They need good fur to stay warm in cold temps. and harsh weather. The dog has an under coat that is so soft and warm.
They have a very good head and they follow directions from their leader. The dogs are so happy all the time when they’re running . The dogs love to run in the Iditarod race and they love to pull things with people on them. The dogs are most honest and loyal to the leader. If the leader fell off the sled, the dogs might feel the weight on
the sled is too light. The dogs might turn back and pick up the leader. The dogs are very loyal to the musher they will stand by the mushers’ side.
They can’t use drugs to make a dog go faster. This is a rule of the race and drugs could hurt the dogs. They need collars that won’t rub their skin and hurt them. They take good care of the dogs.
Some of the first dogs in Alaska were hard working dogs. They were shipped there in the 1600’s and sold to miners and trappers. The dogs were popular during the gold rush. The dogs were used for protection too. In the summer time the large dogs were used as pack animals. The dogs were also used for towing boats, wagons on tracks, and buggies. In the winter they pulled sleds with firewood. Later they started pulling sleds with people on them.
ReplyDeleteOnce people had dogs pulling their sleds they started racing teams with each other. The first organized race was the All Alaska Sweepstakes and was held in Nome in 1908. It was run by the Nome Kennel Club and was 408 miles long. The people in the race were people with good dog teams.
One of the dogs that is also the most common it is called the husky. But it is not a true breed. The husky is crossed with working dogs that include hounds and pointers. Some people think the husky is a mix with tamed wolves too. The husky sled dog is a very focused working dog that needs exercise and work. The dog will misbehave if it doesn’t have enough of this. They don’t relate to you as easily as another dog would because they would rather work.
The dogs in the Iditarod race are well cared for. This is a law and rule of the race
Dogs work too you know. During the summer the miners used them as pack dogs. They were used to carry miners’ luggage on their backs. They pulled small wagons, buggies and boats (that they pulled up stream).
ReplyDeleteSo what type of dog do you want for the race? Well you could get a Samoyed, a German Shepherd or a St. Bernard. Another type is the Siberian Husky or “village dog”. The mushers started crossing breeds for making a faster dog. The people wanted to try crossing an English Setter or an English Pointer with the Siberian Huskies.
The husky is bred for four styles of pulling. One of the styles is pulling mid distances like 100 - 300 miles. The long distance (1,000 miles) is another style. The last two styles are the sprint races and the freight pull. A freight dog has to be strong and a sprint dog has to go fast. Lastly, the long and mid distance dogs should be slim and fast.
You’re not allowed to be mean to the sled dogs. If they become sick or injured the musher has to take the dog out of the race. The mushers are nice and protect their dogs.
Iditarod dogs are trained to run in the icy conditions of Alaska. Have you ever wondered how they get trained? Well if you have I am here to answer all your questions.
ReplyDeleteIn Alaska’s history gold miners, fur trappers, and settlers moved to Alaska and brought dogs with them. The dogs helped them do their work. That was how it started. Today the most commonly used sled dog is the Alaskan Husky. They use this dog because they are bred to love pulling when they are puppies. When the dogs are under 18 months old the do puppy runs (fast walking the dog). When the dogs are 18 months to two years old they do non-competitive races. If you ever want to be in the Iditarod your dogs have to be good. From the start if one of your dogs seems to be honest, brave, and has stamina that would be your lead dog. To tell if you have normal dogs for the Iditarod they would be honest and hard working just like a good person. If you ever run in the Iditarod make sure you pick your dogs carefully and thoughtfully for the race.
To win the Iditarod you need a winning team and to have a winning team you need to know the steps in choosing the dogs. Step one, decide to train your puppies or buy already trained dogs. Step two, choose sled dogs, that weigh at least 30 pounds, have no fur or hair between the pads on their paws, and they have to be full grown, not aggressive, also healthy and energetic. Step three, you will need to know that there are two kinds of sled dogs, leaders, and team dogs. The lead dog needs to know all the commands, they also need to set the speed for the other dogs. The team dogs are just as important as the lead dogs. They must be strong to pull the sled. Step four, the husky is the standard sled dog, but there are also many other kinds of sled dogs too. And finally step five, bond with each dog and make sure he or she fit into your life style. Dogs that know you and have bonded with you will respect you and listen to you commands. This step is the key to having a successful and safe team. The most common commands for a dog team are, Hike, Gee, Haw, Easy, Whoa, and On Byl. Hike is get moving. Gee means to turn right, and Haw is the opposite, Easy is slow down, and On By means passing another team or other distraction. Some of the dog breeds that make good sled dogs are, Alaskan husky, Alaskan malamute, Canadian Eskimo dog, Chinook, Eurohound, Greenland dogs, Labrador husky, Mackenzie River husky, the northern Inuit dog, Sakhalin husky, Samoyed, Seppala Siberian dogs, the Siberian husky, Tamaskan dogs, utonagan dogs. With this information you’ll make a great, safe, and a winning sled dog team.
ReplyDeleteHike, Gee, Haw, Easy, Whoa, and On By are most of the commands sled dogs have to learn. Hike means get moving, so does Mush and All Right. Gee means turn right and Haw means turn left. Easy means slow down. Whoa means stop, On By means pass another team or distraction, and if you make a kissing noise it means speed up. To pick a good sled dog is very important if you want to win the Iditarod, to help, start training young, by teaching the puppies basic commands such as Gee and Haw. When the puppies are at least thirty pounds, have no hair in between the pads of their paws are healthy, energetic and very importantly are non violent. Husky breeds are the type of dogs that you should use for dogs racing not your average pet dog (unless you have a pet husky!). Make sure you and the dog understand each other and will respect and listen to your commands. If you follow these rules you and your dog will be happy and healthy together.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are running the Iditarod the of the most important thing is that you have the right dogs because if you use the wrong dogs they wont go fast enough to win. Also if they are not ready for the harsh conditions then they may not make it to the end. If you are looking for the right dog it may be an Alaskan husky. Also many mushers race a dog called a super dog. There are three attributes that make a super dog a super dog. The head, the coat and the constitution. It is important to have a good head, but by head I should actually be saying brain. For a good head a dog must be happy, not angry or tired, Willing to pull, the dog should get exited over getting in harness, and honest, the dog trusts its trainer and its trainer should trust it. A super dog should have a good coat too. Their coat should be able to with-stand cold temperatures, the coat should have 2 layers, an inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer sheds water and the inner layer insulates. The last attribute is the dogs constitution. The dog should be a good fast and skinny dog. It should weigh about 45 to 55 pounds. It should be almost maintenance free and their feet should not get cut easily. Those are the attributes of a super dog
ReplyDeleteIf you are planning on running the Iditarod but you don’t know what kind of dogs you want then I think you should read this paragraph.
ReplyDeleteThe most common breed of dog is the Alaskan Husky. 100 years ago they used dogs like German Shepherds. The best dogs for the job are the ones with desire to get their work done. A dog with a good appetite is also good so they will eat a lot then they can run fast a long way. Lead dogs show signs of being leaders from puppy hood. They are curious and spunky. As they get older they show that they like to be in charge and are willing to learn commands. A very important part of the Iditarod is training the dogs. Mushers put the dogs in a harness and take them for a 2-4 mile run to get them used the ropes. You want the dog’s fur to be a thick outer layer protecting them from wind and water. So this is just some of the qualities that you want in your dog.
When running the Iditarod, it’s as important to choose the right dogs as it is to have the right gear. Good characteristics of a lead dog are determination, a willingness to obey orders, and a good sense of direction. Swing dogs help the sled turn, so it’s good for them to be kind of strong and for them to have a willingness to obey. Team dogs… well, that’s anybody who loves to run. And the wheel dogs, right in front of the sled, should be rather muscular because they take most of the weight.
ReplyDeleteSled dogs are usually Alaskan huskies, but they can be any kind of thick-haired dog who loves to run.
A sled dog’s coat is very warm and soft. It lets the dogs be comfortable in rather cold weather.
Most mushers start training puppies for racing when they are about 6 months old. To teach them teamwork, mushers will hook a puppy to and older, more experienced dog to show puppies how to run well, too.
So, now that you know a bit about the dogs themselves, hope you choose a good team!
S13,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very good. Your quote from Martin Buser was good, and you had strong openings and closings. If you had maybe shortened the quote a bit,the paragraph would have been even better. Over all, you paragraph was great.
To s5
ReplyDeleteReally great opening!
I like how you really described how and what a good sled dog is, determined, willing, etc.
You really got a good amount of dog information!
Awesome paragraph!
-s3
Dear s9,
ReplyDeleteI liked your opening part about the commands the mushers use when addressing the dogs. i also liked how you talked about the best breeds to use. one thing that would have made your paragraph even better would be make it a little
longer.
Dear S7,
ReplyDeleteYour beginning makes me want to read more. I like how you used details in your paragraph and didn't list the parts of choosing a sled dog. I think your paragraph is very good!
S1
s3, I love your paragraph. It really pulled me into the story. All of the facts are so interesting. I cant believe they use dog hair for gloves and hats!
ReplyDelete~s5
dear s17,
ReplyDeleteI want to say that you did a great job on your project. You really got the reader rolling in your writing, also I liked your vocabulary like the word attributes. I would also want to compliment you for your information so keep up the great work from your friend s4.
Dear S2,
ReplyDeleteI liked your paragraph. I didn't know that St. Bernards could run in sled dog races! I liked the part about the different kinds of races. I didn't find anything like that in my research. One of the only things I would change is to add some about the sled dog's different positions and what a good dog for each of them would be.
Fifth graders: Nice job blogging! I enjoyed reading your posts. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteCoach Thoth
Some people are just born to be great and some people achieve greatness. What is the same about people is the same about dogs. Some dogs are born and bred to be lead dogs or wheel dogs and that is what is great about them. How the breeders choose which dog is which position on the sled they show signs of being a lead dog or wheel dog as puppies. They show signs of leadership and responsibility and that is what makes them a lead dog. Also traits of a lead dog are hard working and curios dogs, they are good combinations because you need the dog to work hard all the time and be curious of weird smells such as moose. The good breeds for this kind of hard working dogs are Alaskan Huskies. They are the most common breeds used in the Iditarod. The dogs also need warm fur for the cold climate of Alaska. They have a thick layer of fat underneath there heavy fur. That keeps them warm so they don’t freeze but on warm days they don’t over heat. If you ever run the Iditarod your dogs should be your first priority.
ReplyDeletes15