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Alaskan Husky
The modern racing dog.
A mixed breed that has Malamute, Siberian Husky, Hound, Pointer and
countless other breeds mixed in through the generations.
Alaskan huskies are direct descendents of the original northern breed
sled dogs that have worked with their human counterparts in the North Country
for 6,000 years.
Basket Sled
The more traditional style of dog sled. The cargo bed is made of
wooden slats that run parallel to the runners, but are elevated off the top of
the runners by about 6 inches. The advantage to this sled is that wind can
pass both under and above the sled, cutting down drag when running in high
winds. Additionally, basket sleds are faster on trails with just a few
inches of fresh, new snow on top of a packed base because the cargo bed isn't
dragging in the fresh snow. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Brake
A two-clawed metal bar that the musher stands on to slow
the team. Used in unison with the
Track. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Brush Bow
Being the very foremost part of the sled, its main purpose
is to deflect the sled when it comes in contact with trees or other obstacles.
see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
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Nellie, wearing booties and ready
to go. |
Booties
A nylon paw covering similar to a sock that protects the dogs’ feet in
abrasive snow conditions. A VelcroTM
strap wraps around the top of the boot to secure it.
Chinook Wind
A southerly wind that usually brings warm weather.
Dog jackets or coats
 Insulated
and usually windproof coats that cover the back and sides of the dogs. The
jackets are typically used only when the dogs are resting. They are a
means to help the dogs conserve energy, but they are not essential for a dog to
survive in the cold. When the temperatures are extremely cold (-40oF)
or the winds are very strong (45 MPH), the coats can be used while the dogs are
running, but care must be taken not to overheat the dogs. Sled dogs are
very good at keeping themselves warm, and not much outside help is needed.
Dropped Dog
The term that describes a dog that has been taken out of a team during the
course of a race. Dogs can be taken out of a team for a number of reasons
varying from the dog being tired to the musher being tired and wanting to care
for fewer dogs. More on this topic.
Handle Bar
The sled’s “steering wheel”. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Handler
The musher term for a hired hand. Handlers are often people who are
interested in sled dogs and want to learn more about them by working for an
established kennel. Most handlers work long hours in exchange for room and
board, a small pay check, and a sore back.
Hobby
An excuse to spend $100,000 that you don’t have.
Mainline (also called a Centerline)
The centerline that attaches team dogs to the sled.
see The Anatomy of a
Dog Team
Malamute
A purebred ancestor of traditional sled dogs used for
pulling heavy loads. The Malamute
is too large and stocky to keep up with the Alaskan Huskies in most styles of
racing.
Musher
The term that refers to insane individuals who enjoy spending countless
hours and dollars on their dogs. The term originates from the French word marche,
meaning "to march." During the gold rushes, anyone who traveled
in the North Country was a "musher," no matter how they
traveled. The name stuck with those who traveled by dog team and fed their
dogs "mush."
Neckline
The line that attaches the dogs’ collars to the mainline.
see The Anatomy of a
Dog Team
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Frozen overflow on the Unalakleet
River. Note the cracks where teams broke the thin ice as they passed
over it. |
Overflow
Water on the surface of a creek or lake.
Overflow is the result of ice getting too heavy, causing it to sink below
the surface of the lake, or the ice freezing deep enough that water must flow on
top to get through.
Pad, Paw
One of the toughest materials known to man—a thick layer of dead skin that
covers the toes and palm region of a dog’s foot.
When the dogs are not booted, the pads are in constant contact with the
snow, and this toughness is something that goes as far back as the breeding.
Raised Toboggan Sled
A hybrid of the Toboggan and Basket styles. This sled uses a plastic
sheet for a cargo bed, like the toboggan sled. But like the basket sled,
the cargo bed is raised above the top of the runners by about 4-6 inches.
This style is becoming more and more popular in distance and mid-distance racing
because it offers the advantages of both basket and toboggan sleds. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Runners
The "skis" on which the sled is built. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Samoyed
A purebred, white Eskimo dog. Good for pulling large sleds and cold weather survival though
not used in racing.
Seat
A nice addition to the sleds that some mushers add to allow them to take a
break from standing. Seats, however, can't be used on rough or windy trail
because control of the sled is difficult while sitting. Additionally,
mushers who are sleep-deprived are more likely to fall asleep when sitting than
when standing, and you don't want to be asleep at the wheel!
Siberian Husky
Very similar to the Malamute but slightly smaller and more
durable. Some teams of purebred
Siberian Huskies still compete in the Iditarod non-competitively.
Sled Bag
The "backpack" of the sled that attaches at the front of the sled
and runs the length of the cargo bed to the rear stanchions and handlebar.
The sled bag holds the cargo and protects it from damage. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Snowhook
An anchor used on the sled to hold the dogs if the musher
needs to leave the sled. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Snubline
A short line used to tie the sled off to a post or truck
while the dogs are harnessed. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Stanchion
The wood side rails that connect the brush bow to the
runners and the handlebar to the sled. The
stanchions usually take a pretty good beating so we keep a good supply of spares
on hand. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Toboggan Bed
Plastic sheet that forms the bottom of toboggan-style sleds. The sheet
is attached directly to the top of the runners, and serves as the cargo bed.
Toboggan Sled
Style of dog sled with a solid plastic bottom just above the runners.
Toboggan sleds have been developed in the last 30 years, primarily for distance
racing. The advantage of a toboggan sled is that the cargo bed is lower,
which lowers the overall center of gravity of the sled. Additionally,
toboggan sleds "float" on top of deep, soft snow rather than sinking
in like the traditional basket sleds. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Towline
The team rigging, or traces, in their entirety, including
mainline (centerline) tuglines, and necklines. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Team
Track
A piece of rubber snowmachine track with bolts stuck
through it, which is used for slowing the dog teams. see The Anatomy of a
Dog Sled
Tugline
The rear line that connects the harness to the centerline
(mainline). see The Anatomy of a
Dog Team
Webbing, paw
The
softer more tender part of the paw deep to and between the pads.
Wrist
wraps
Neoprene wraps that are placed on the lower part of the dogs' front legs if
their wrists ever become stiff or sore. These are similar to what race
horses are often shown wearing.
Basic
Musher Commands (the language of the sled dogs)
Hike
Up!
This is the command to start moving or to go faster. Some mushers also
simply say "Okay, Let's Go!" or "All Right!,"
but Mush! is not really used as seen in the movies.
Whoa!
The command that the dogs never really listen to. This means
stop. Usually, the brakes must be applied to attain the desired result.
Gee
(pronounced like the letter of the alphabet)
This is the command for turning or moving right.
Haw
This is the command for turning or moving left.
Straight
Ahead
Exactly what it implies. Used at intersections or when passing other
dog teams or snowmobiles.
Easy
Go a little slower, please.
No!
Seems to imply yes to most sled dogs.
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