Why is there no racing in summer?
Because a dog that's pulling overheats very fast. Races have temperature limits and get called off when it's too warm.
Speed and running
Dryland Mushing
Dog team racing with no snow. The dogs pull a three- or four-wheeled rig instead of a sled, and races run in autumn and spring on forest roads.
About the discipline
What Dryland Mushing is
Mushers came up with dryland mushing for the years and months when there's no snow. A wheeled rig takes the place of the sled, and everything else works just like on snow.
Races happen when it's cold but there's no snow yet: late autumn and early spring. In warm weather, pulling gets dangerous for dogs.
Classes start at two dogs and go up to big teams. The same events usually run separate canicross, bikejoring and scooterjoring classes too.
How it works in practice
How it works
- a three- or four-wheeled rig with brakes
- a team of two dogs or more
- forest tracks or dirt roads
- interval starts, each team timed separately
- vet checks and a close watch on temperature
- short distances, precisely because of the heat
Which dogs it suits
- pulling dogs used to working in a team
- mushers who want to keep their dogs fit out of season
What you need
- an approved rig with brakes you can trust
- harnesses and gangline
- lots of water
- a thermometer for the air temperature
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Dryland Mushing
How does it differ from racing on snow?
Only in what the dogs pull: a rig instead of a sled. Technique and commands stay the same, and so does the way the team is set up. Distances are shorter.
How many dogs do I need?
You can race with two. The big classes need full teams, but most beginners start out with one or two pairs.
What conditioning does the dog need?
The same as for snow racing: stamina built slowly, over months, not a few weeks. Start with short runs in harness, add distance a bit at a time and leave rest days between outings. A dog pulling a rig without being fit enough is at risk of muscle and joint injuries.
How is a team built up for the season?
Slowly, through the autumn. Begin with short runs on cool mornings, the whole team in harness but only a light load behind them. Distance goes up week by week and rest days stay in the plan. A team that starts racing without that base ends up with soft-tissue injuries in the first month.
The rule figures on this page come from IFSS - International Federation of Sleddog Sports. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Greyhound Racing
Speed racing on a track.
Lure Coursing
The dog chases an artificial lure round a course in an open field.
Straight Racing
A straight-line sprint after a lure.
Canicross
Running off-road with the dog clipped to your waist.
We do not run Dryland Mushing
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.