What is Mushing?
'Mushing' is the term used for when a team of dogs is used to power some form of transportation - or in the case of Canicross, you! Today most owners do recreational - or ‘rec’ - mushing. The dog or dogs are attached to the sled or rig (or bike or scooter!) by a long line and use special harnesses to pull under the direction of the musher who drives from either behind or atop the sled/rig. When a team of dogs is using a wheeled rig, this is commonly referred to as Dryland Mushing.
Sled dogs and carting dogs have been in a partnership with humans for millennia. Siberians have been crossing the frozen grounds of North America since the first team was imported in 1908 by Russian fur trader William Goosak. The Siberian has become the face of the sled dog, but today this partnership continues across the globe with a variety of breeds and mixes.
Getting Started
Safety Check: Mushing can rate anywhere from moderate to very difficult. Be sure you speak with someone experience before attempting this sport alone!
Vet Check: Talk with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy enough to participate in this activity. Only Siberian Huskies over 18 months should fully participate in this activity.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR DOGS' ABILITY TO RIP THE SLED OUT OF YOUR GRASP AND TEAR DOWN THE TRAIL WITHOUT YOU, NO MATTER HOW WELL TRAINED THE DOG IS!
Vet Check: Talk with your vet to ensure your dog is healthy enough to participate in this activity. Only Siberian Huskies over 18 months should fully participate in this activity.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR DOGS' ABILITY TO RIP THE SLED OUT OF YOUR GRASP AND TEAR DOWN THE TRAIL WITHOUT YOU, NO MATTER HOW WELL TRAINED THE DOG IS!
Finding a Mentor
The best place to find a mentor is through your local Siberian Husky Club, or through the parent club at www.shca.org.
Titles
There are currently three levels of sled dog title available for mushers who participate in sled dog racing. Visit the SHCA for a list of rules and requirements for these titles.
Sled Dog (SD) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who has demonstrated a basic level of proficiency in sled racing by earning a total accumulation of not less than 100 miles in not less than five successfully completed races."
Sled Dog Excellent (SDX) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated a high level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded the S.D. degree. Accumulation of not less than 150 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required."
Sled Dog Outstanding (SDO) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated an outstanding level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded he S.D.X. degree. Accumulation of not less than 200 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required."
Common Terms in Mushing:
Booties: A type of doggie sock or boot that can be made from a variety of materials to protect the dog’s feet from small cuts and sores.
Dog in Basket: A dog that is tired or injured and is carried in the sled. If the dog is not returned to its position on the team and is left with handlers at a point in the race, it becomes a Dropped Dog.
Gee: Command for right turn
Haw: Command for left turn
Husky: Any northern type dog. Not necessarily a term reserved for the Siberian Husky.
Lead Dog or Leader: The Lead Dog runs out in front of the team. He or she must be both intelligent and fast.
Line Out!: This command to lead dog tells him or her to pull the team out straight from the sled. Usually this is to help prevent the line from becoming tangled while hooking or unhooking dogs into team.
Mush! Hike! All Right! Let’s Go!: Each musher uses different commands but they all mean "time to go!"
Neck Line: Line that connects dog’s collar to tow line and between the two collars of lead dogs.
Picket Line: A picket line is usually a long chain with shorter pieces of chain extending from it to temporarily hook dogs to while the musher is getting ready to either head out onto the trail, rest, or pack up to go home.
Rigging: Collection of lines to which dogs are attached that includes tow line, tug lines and neck lines
Rookie: A musher who is running the race for the first time or who has never completed the race.
Swing Dog or Dogs: Dog that runs directly behind the leader are called swing dogs. They help “swing” the team in the turns or curves.
Team Dog: Any dog that is not in the positions of leader, swing, or wheel.
Tug Line: Line that connects dog’s harness to the tow line.
Wheel Dogs: Wheel dogs are positioned directly in front of the sled. Wheel dogs' job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees.
Whoa!: This command tells the team to stop. It is frequently accompanied by the mushers hope that they listen.
Sled Dog (SD) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who has demonstrated a basic level of proficiency in sled racing by earning a total accumulation of not less than 100 miles in not less than five successfully completed races."
Sled Dog Excellent (SDX) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated a high level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded the S.D. degree. Accumulation of not less than 150 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required."
Sled Dog Outstanding (SDO) - "This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated an outstanding level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded he S.D.X. degree. Accumulation of not less than 200 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required."
Common Terms in Mushing:
Booties: A type of doggie sock or boot that can be made from a variety of materials to protect the dog’s feet from small cuts and sores.
Dog in Basket: A dog that is tired or injured and is carried in the sled. If the dog is not returned to its position on the team and is left with handlers at a point in the race, it becomes a Dropped Dog.
Gee: Command for right turn
Haw: Command for left turn
Husky: Any northern type dog. Not necessarily a term reserved for the Siberian Husky.
Lead Dog or Leader: The Lead Dog runs out in front of the team. He or she must be both intelligent and fast.
Line Out!: This command to lead dog tells him or her to pull the team out straight from the sled. Usually this is to help prevent the line from becoming tangled while hooking or unhooking dogs into team.
Mush! Hike! All Right! Let’s Go!: Each musher uses different commands but they all mean "time to go!"
Neck Line: Line that connects dog’s collar to tow line and between the two collars of lead dogs.
Picket Line: A picket line is usually a long chain with shorter pieces of chain extending from it to temporarily hook dogs to while the musher is getting ready to either head out onto the trail, rest, or pack up to go home.
Rigging: Collection of lines to which dogs are attached that includes tow line, tug lines and neck lines
Rookie: A musher who is running the race for the first time or who has never completed the race.
Swing Dog or Dogs: Dog that runs directly behind the leader are called swing dogs. They help “swing” the team in the turns or curves.
Team Dog: Any dog that is not in the positions of leader, swing, or wheel.
Tug Line: Line that connects dog’s harness to the tow line.
Wheel Dogs: Wheel dogs are positioned directly in front of the sled. Wheel dogs' job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees.
Whoa!: This command tells the team to stop. It is frequently accompanied by the mushers hope that they listen.
SHCGG Mushing Adventures
|
|
|
