Dog sled racing

Thank you, I knew it was going on at the moment, but didn't think about that I maybe could watch some of it on the internet.

As I understand it, the "original" sled-breeds now sometimes have their own classes, though it might have been dogs called Alaskan Husky you saw, don't know if they have been recognised as a breed by any association, but they could be described as looking like a Spitz + Lurcher sort of cross. They come from crossing Siberian Huskies with hounds or gun dogs breeds, to make them faster.


I believe that in Sweden one of the more popular purebreds for sled competitions today are the German Wirehaired Pointer, but if the weather goes really bad during a long competition, the "original" sled-breeds can get their "revenge". Then it shows that their paws and coat's really are made for hard work during winter conditions.
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It will also been shown on Eurosport soon I believe - at least that is what the trailer says.

The snow conditions are the best threr that they have been for 15 years, the weather is also kind atm.

Yes, some of the dogs do look like Huskyx lurchers and there are def some GWP also.

The dogs just seem to love their job and the mushers have a real rapport with them.

There are so many vet checks and it says that this year they are being strict about doping.
 
I knew a few people who raced sled dogs in Canada and I was always surprised how lean their dogs were - more wolf shaped - and definitely more "lurcher like" than we traditionally think of Huskies etc. being. I would also say, on average, although well treated they weren't really people dogs as such, but much more like pack hunting dogs. Lovely to watch in action, not really suited for pets!
 
They often cross Pointers with Huskies for European sled racing, and call them Eurohounds - I have one and she is quite lurcher like. She will go ALL day and still be bouncing off the walls in the evening. Very trainable and lovely natured dog though
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Ha! I've just finished watching the 2008 Iditarod
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. Most of the huskies I see doing that race are Alaskan Huskies (as FL mentioned) and I'd imagine most doing the race you are speaking of are also Alaskans
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Alaskan Husky
 
Yes, there are lots of Eurohounds, I bet they are wilful dogs with that breeding.

Some of the teams seem to have a variety of dogs and some all husky types, I guess it's individual preference.

The alaskan looks very wolf like.
 
I'm going to Alaska in March to see the Iditarod!! There are a few teams who run purebred siberian huskies, but the majority are alaskan huskies. We run ours (siberians) here and intend to move out to Canada in a few years.....much better weather for running them!

There's a guy who lives near here that was 3rd in that race (mentioned by OP) last year with his hounds.
 
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