How many dogs make up a team?
It depends on the category: four in sprint, more than ten in endurance races. The organiser sets the number in the rules.
Speed and running
Sled Dog Racing
The classic sport of the North: a sled, the dog team pulling it and the musher driving it. It runs from sprints of a few kilometres with four dogs to endurance races that go on for days.
About the discipline
What Sled Dog Racing is
Every pulling sport goes back to sled dog racing. A musher drives a sled pulled by a team of anywhere from four to more than ten dogs.
There are three categories, sprint, mid-distance and endurance, and they have little in common. Long races have stages and compulsory rests, and at every checkpoint the dogs go through a thorough vet check.
The lead dog up front takes the commands and steers the whole team. Picking and training that dog is the trickiest part of building a team.
How it works in practice
How a race is organised
- a team of 4 to 10 dogs, or more
- a musher on the sled, with brake and snow hook
- a lead dog that takes the direction commands
- sprint, mid-distance or endurance categories
- compulsory vet checks along the trail
- mandatory rests in long races
Which dogs it suits
- northern pulling breeds, bred for the job
- dogs with stamina that handle serious cold
- mushers with the space and setup for several dogs
This is a commitment for life. A team means lots of dogs, every one of them needing kennel space and food, vet care, training, every day, not just on snowy weekends.
What you need
- a racing sled with brake and snow hook
- a pulling harness for every dog
- a gangline system
- winter clothing for the musher
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Sled Dog Racing
What does the lead dog do?
It runs at the front, takes the musher's direction commands and steers the whole team. It's the hardest position, and you need a dog with initiative that keeps a clear head.
Is it an accessible sport?
Not really. You need lots of dogs and room to keep them. The gear is expensive, and without snow there's nowhere to run. If you want the feeling without all the kit a team needs, look at canicross, bikejoring or scooterjoring.
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
Dryland Mushing
Dog team racing on dry ground.
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.
We do not run Sled Dog Racing
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.