Sled dog racing (rig and sled)

Sled dog racing, or mushing, is a discipline in which several harnessed dogs pull a wheeled rig on dirt or a sled on snow, driven by voice by a musher. Races are organized in classes according to the number of dogs in the team.

What is sled dog racing?

In a team, dogs are hitched in pairs to a main line, which is attached to the vehicle. Lead dogs respond to the musher’s commands and choose the line; the wheel dogs, closest to the vehicle and usually the strongest, take the strain on turns. The musher holds no reins: steering is done by voice only, while the musher brakes and helps on climbs.

Outside the snow season, teams run on dirt with a three- or four-wheeled rig (called a “kart” in French); in winter, on snow, with a sled. Races are usually run against the clock, with individual starts at intervals, over one or more runs.

Equipment

• A rig (on dirt) or a sled (on snow), with a reliable brake and, for a sled, a snow hook to hold the team.
• A gangline with tuglines for each dog and necklines linking the two dogs of a pair.
• A pulling harness fitted to each dog.
• A shock absorber between the gangline and the vehicle.
• A helmet and protective gear, often required in rig races.

Dog welfare and readiness

A team is a group effort: every dog must be healthy, trained and comfortable in its position. Have your dogs followed by a vet, build distances gradually and teach your lead dogs direction and stop commands before hitching a larger team.

On dirt, heat is the main danger: training and racing happen in cool weather, and many organizers adapt or cancel a run when it is too warm. Plan water, shade and rest at the dog truck. The minimum dog age and entry conditions vary by federation and organizer: they are shown on each race page.

Race formats

On Canicompet, sled dog races are classed by number of dogs:

• Rig, 4 dogs;
• Rig, 6 dogs;
• Rig, 8 dogs;
• Unlimited, for larger teams.

For each race, the organizer sets the number of dogs, the minimum number of dogs at the start, the distance and the number of runs. Every dog in the team is recorded in the entry, and its documents are checked online before the race.

How to take part

1. Find a sled dog race in the race calendar.
2. Create your Canicompet account and add all your dogs once.
3. Get the usual documents ready: a licence or medical certificate depending on the race, plus a microchip and up-to-date vaccinations for each dog. The race page gives the exact list.
4. Enter online, choosing the dogs in your team, with the registration guide.

FAQ

Do I need northern breeds for sled dog racing?

Northern breeds (Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute, Greenland dog…) and hound-type dogs are very common, but they are not a general requirement. Some races or federations do have classes reserved for northern breeds: check the race rules.

What is the difference between a rig and a sled?

It is the same sport on two surfaces: the wheeled rig is used on dirt, the sled on snow. The dogs’ hitching equipment is very similar.

Can I enter with fewer dogs than the class?

The organizer sets a minimum number of dogs at the start for each race. It is shown on the race page.