Monday, August 29, 2011

Dog Sledding

Dog Sledding
A dog sled is a sled pulled by one or more sled dogs used to travel on the ice and snow. Many types of sleds are used, according to their function. They can be used for racing sled dogs.

History

Dog power have been used for hunting and travel over a thousand years. Early 10 century, these dogs have influenced human culture. (Coppinger, L.) [1]

Gather a team of sled dogs dogs involves picking a leader, point dogs, swing dogs and wheel dogs. The lead dog is crucial, especially musher to taking care of these dogs. Is also important to have powerful wheel dogs to pull the sled on snow. Point dogs (optional) is placed behind the lead dogs, swing dogs and dogs from the point of the wheel, and the dogs of the team are all dogs in between the wheel and swing dogs and are selected for their endurance, strength and speed as part of the team. Siberian Huskies in dog sledding or Alaskan Malamute are the main types of dogs used because of their willingness to work.



Ironically, the powerful, the canines in the wild section dedicated sled dogs: a saga of Alaska is just over mutt. "The dog we call the Alaskan Husky is not an official race," said Joe Runyan time musher, who won the race in Alaska sled dog Iditarod in 1989. Huskies are rather mixed breed dogs that are selected "for performance, not looks," he said.

In particular, educators are looking for a husky dog ​​instinctive desire to pull long and hard for the most demanding conditions. "You dogs, who really want to see what's around the corner," says Runyan. "They want to be always in motion."

However, a careful reproduction decades produced dogs with physical revealing. For one thing, the best sled dogs pulling fast, efficient and paces remarkable strength for their size. "You rarely see a really good sled dog in the course of about 55 kilos," said Runyan, speculates that large dogs are at a disadvantage when it comes to physiological oxygen supply and blood to the heart, lungs and muscles. But even small dogs can pull loads impressive. "My daughter had a dog of 43 books that have attracted more than 800 pounds," says Runyan. With such power, "is like a small pony with 64 feet ", a team of 16 dogs, he notes. Larger teams, including one that included more than 200 dogs have been known to take buses and even help move houses." Their strength can be incredible " , Runyan said.

As dog teams to pull together, however, requires months of training. In low season, for example, some mushers rope their teams to wheeled carts or four-wheel off-road, and allow your dog to pull carts along the dirt roads less snow. The dogs are so powerful and as a guide to pull about, which, according to Runyan, even if the brakes are difficult to retain.

Lackey Iditarod is a special talent - and the special requirements, like food. Together, their power comes from a big appetite. Although perhaps along the normal 1500 calories a day mutt, sled dogs can easily consume up to 10,000 calories a day. And when they are hard, huskies can be sensitive to the legs. To safeguard their mushers polar fleece tie boots that keep feet warm and protected. In the Iditarod, one of about 2,000 drivers to use boots. Each lasts several hours and up to 100 km.

Once trained, sled dogs can remain in perfect condition for years. It is not uncommon to see 10 years in dog racing. Top Dogs are highly sought after by breeders to help Dad Champion lines. And the prospect of owning one should not be taken lightly. "They take a lot of love and kindness," Runyan points.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Inuit sled dog

The Inuit Sled Dogs
The roots of the Inuit Sled dog, or Qimmiq, dating back 4,000 years, maybe more. Along with the Inuit, this breed survived the harsh Arctic conditions.

In more modern times, this is an incredibly strong dog took the scouts and clubs. Yet, his presence threatened the arrival of the South of technology and other influences. Southern breeds, crossbreeds threatened the purity of the original Inuit dogs. The advent of snowmobiles Arctic settlements was the final blow.

Recently, some Inuit hunters and others interested in both the North and South have sought to preserve the breed and recover viable numbers of purebred huskies.

Inuit Sled Dog International (ISDI), the network dedicated to this task.

ISD, and a place in the history of modern ARCTIC

Inuit sled dog origin in Asia, probably in the region of present-day Mongolia. Tunit people, known as the Thule culture, accompanied by their dogs crossed the Bering Strait in the waves of migration constant between 900 and 1100 AD. They dispersed to the south and east until they reached Greenland and could go longer, people do not have boats to transport them across the sea until as late as year 1960, raised the family back and forth between Greenland and Canada dog sledding.

As a hunter, the dog sniffed the seal breathing holes and has remained quiet until the seal has been emptied and could have a meal. With his teammates, that would surround a polar bear and keep the principle, sometimes getting maimed in the process, until the hunters arrived. No food was safe from the Huskies unless the cache very well secured, it remains true today.

Her eyes are almond-shaped, wide spacing, small and tilted. It gives the appearance of the wild and sneaky, but it does not. The eyes are dark brown and amber color. They have never * blue. It 'a neck straight, which is both thick and muscular. His chest is muscular. The shoulders are broad and oblique, and the front or back, the dog is standing, not too long legs.

Dog paws are large and nearly round, thickly padded with hair between the toes. Well-developed pelvis and thigh muscles strong form of the body behind. The spine is highly visible and easily felt even well-fed animals.

Inuit Sled Dog Race is a true north, with a close affinity with its ancestor the wolf. No bark, but howling piteously, sometimes can be very annoying to neighbors.

Food needs

Inuit sled dog is a dog primitive, and, like wild canids (wolves, foxes, coyotes), a primitive digestive system. Therefore it can not tolerate certain cereal products very well. Maize and rice are another family of grains, and can be fed safely. The food business must be based on corn or rice, and must contain at least 30% of protein and fat by 20%. This should be supplemented with pure fat (no fat or fat-free liquid) that make up 50% fat in the diet.

ISD a dog sled

Basically, the ISD is a sled pulled by dogs work. One of his main attributes is its ability to take one and half times its own weight over long distances. ISD is a good companion for owners who can not keep one or two DSI, provided they are actively involved in skijoring, snowshoeing or hiking with pack dogs. Three or more of the ISD can easily pull a sled loaded or a basket.

PET POTENTIAL

The Inuit sled dog, "pet potential" is an oxymoron. Ownership of pets have never been as consideration for the breeding of these dogs for their ability to work. Ethnicity behavior more "primitive", the mouth-ness, his highly developed sense of pack hierarchy, the overwhelming desire to do the job, have all the features clearly fits the work environment.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Alaskan sled dog race

Alaskan sled dog race
The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is an annual sled dog race team across Alaska. Mushers and a team of 12 to 16 dogs (at least 6 must be in the cable from the goal line) [1] covering more than 1.049 miles in 15.9 days from Anchorage to Nome.

Race starts the first Saturday of March. Iditarod began in 1973, an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams, but developed into today's highly competitive race. The current fastest winning time record was set in 2011 by John Baker at the time of 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes and 39 seconds. [2]

Teams often race through blizzards cause whiteout conditions, freezing temperatures and strong winds that can cause the wind chill to reach -100 ° F (-73 ° C). A departure ceremony is happening in the city of Anchorage and is followed by the official restart in Willow, a town in south-central region of the state. Restart was originally in Wasilla, but because of too little snow, the restart in Willow moved permanently in 2008 [3]. The trail goes up to Willow Pass Alaska Range Rainy in sparsely populated, and then along the shore of the Bering Sea, finally reaching Nome in western Alaska. The route is through a rugged landscape of tundra and spruce forests, hills and mountain passes and across rivers. While the start in Anchorage is the center of a major urban center, most of the road passes through towns and villages far away, and small colonies Athabaskan and Inupiat.

The Iditarod is regarded as a symbolic link to the ancient history of the state and is connected to many traditions in honor of the dog mushing capital.

Race is the most popular sporting event in Alaska, and the top mushers and their teams of dogs are local celebrities; popularity is credited with a resurgence of recreational mushing State since 1970. Although the area per year of more than fifty mushers and about a thousand dogs is still largely in Alaska, fourteen competitors in the country is ready for the event, including Switzerland, Martin Buser, who became the first international winner in 1992.

The Iditarod received more attention outside the state after the 1985 victory of Libby Riddles, a long shot becomes the first woman to win the race. Susan Butcher became the second woman to win the race and continued to lead half a decade. Print journalists and television and a multitude of spectators attend the farewell ceremony at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and D Street in Anchorage and in least number of checkpoints along the road.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Dog sledding in Alaska

Dog sledding in Alaska
If you've always wanted to take a trip by dog ​​sled in Alaska, a plethora of companies are ready to help you. Ranging from short trips quarter shipments mushing km of 12 days. You can ride along or learn to mush your own team and run for a trip to Alaska sled dogs (with a guide, of course).

Dog sledding in Alaska during the winter season usually starts from January to March, and the famous Iditarod race was held in early March. In summer you can dog sled expedition to Alaska to give up than the snow or ice. To avoid disappointment, make sure you know what you get when you book a trip dog sled in Alaska. For reflection, and even ask where you are going and how (snow, ice, gravel?) How long will tour, if a horse or walking the dogs themselves, and what special clothing or equipment must be included. And, of course, price. It takes a lot of food to keep Husky mushing, and these trips are not cheap.

A word of warning: dog sleds have no shock absorbers. The trip can be quite crude, and perhaps not suitable for people with back problems.

Tour Alaska sled dogs during

What are some companies that offer guided winter sled dogs in Alaska: Best Wildlife Alaska, Fairbanks winter expeditions offer 12 days.

Dog sledding in Alaska, Nome: Directed by Jerry Austin, Iditarod Hall of Fame, the company offers tours in small groups of sled dogs in Alaska. In March, offer trips that coincide with the Iditarod, and especially to attend the banquet and mushers finished the meeting.

Best Alaska Wilderness, Fairbanks offers 12-day winter expeditions.

Dog sledding in Alaska, Nome: Drive by Jerry Austin, Iditarod Hall of Fame, the company offers tours in small groups of sled dogs in Alaska. In March, they offer trips that coincide with the Iditarod and includes the banquet and Finishers musher meeting.

Map of Alaska Dogsled Tours

This summer, travel to Alaska sled dog race are suitable for people with more talent than taking long trips, and some may be excursions from the cruise ship. Alaska Husky Ranch, Gustav: This close to Glacier Bay, you can take a ride in kennels, view this presentation, or puree the same team.

Chugach Express Anchorage: Drive by nine times Iditarod Trail veteran Dario Martinez, they offer throughout the year visits may be booked through the resort near Alyeska.

Coastal Helicopters, Juneau: They offer a combination of helicopter and dog sled racing, a pick-up the Cruise Terminal.

Godwin Glacier, Alaska Dog Sled Tours, Seward and Juneau summer tour of a glacier.

Goose Lake Kennel, Denali: Do not sledding here, but you can learn about sled dogs in Alaska during his visit to the farm and the rise of three-time champion Jeff King of the Iditarod and his wife, an artist well known Animal Donna Gates King.

Sun Dog Express dogsled in Alaska, Fairbanks: They offer tours of winter and summer demos / tours with visits to 1 / 4 mile to 11 miles and a musher school half days.

Tours Sutsina dog, Willow: The company of sled dogs in Alaska and bed and breakfast years in charge of Bill Davidson and Rhoda, who are finalists Iditarod. They offer 2.5 hours of mushing experience, a 2-day seminar tours and overnight mushing. Located between Anchorage and Denali.