Dog scootering

Dog scootering, called cani-trottinette in French, is a discipline in which one or two harnessed dogs pull an off-road scooter, the rider kicking uphill and braking downhill. It sits between bikejoring and sled dog racing: you stand on a light vehicle, without pedals, and can hitch up two dogs.

What is dog scootering?

In dog scootering, the dog or dogs run ahead of the scooter and provide most of the pull. The rider guides them by voice, kicks with one foot to help when the ground rises, and brakes to keep the line taut on descents. In French mushing circles the scooter is also called a “patinette”.

It is practised on wide, smooth tracks through forests or countryside. It appeals to people who want the speed of sled dog racing without the equipment and number of dogs a rig requires. In races, starts are usually individual at intervals, with a ranking on time.

Equipment

• An off-road scooter with large pneumatic wheels and effective front and rear brakes.
• A bungee antenna at the front, so the line cannot go under the wheel.
• A bungee line with a shock absorber: single for one dog, double (a main line plus one line per dog) for two dogs.
• A pulling harness for each dog, properly fitted.
• A helmet, usually required in races, and gloves.

Dog welfare and readiness

Have a vet check that each dog is fit for the effort. Start with short outings at a moderate pace, work on direction and stop commands, then increase distance gradually. Running two dogs together requires that they get along and run at a similar pace.

Always adapt your speed to the dogs, brake downhill and kick uphill. In hot weather, go out in the cool hours or stay home, and carry water. The minimum dog age and entry conditions depend on the federation and the organizer: they are shown on each race page.

Race formats

On Canicompet, dog scootering comes in two race types:

• Scooter, 1 dog;
• Scooter, 2 dogs.

The organizer sets the distance, number of runs and categories. For two-dog races, each dog is recorded in the entry and its documents are checked.

How to take part

1. Look for a race in the race calendar.
2. Create your Canicompet account and add 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 with the registration guide.

FAQ

What is a “patinette”?

It is the French name often used for the off-road scooter used in mushing. On Canicompet, races may appear as “Patinette 1 chien” or “Patinette 2 chiens” in the original French.

Can I start scootering with a single dog?

Yes, it is the simplest way to begin. Many races offer a one-dog class.

Will a city scooter do?

No. You need an off-road scooter with large wheels and good brakes, suited to trails and to the dogs’ speed.