Sled Dogs: Lead, Point, Team, Swing And Wheel Dogs

Sled dog racing continues to be one of the best sports out there that often goes unnoticed. The racing of sled dogs, or mushing as it is sometimes referred to, has an exhilaration to it that is often unmatched. The races are long hauls that sometimes can reach up to 1,000 miles over some of the most inhabitable land that exists. Sled dog races involve a team of dogs and a musher racing through cold tundra as the dogs are harnessed together and have to leap and claw their way over obstacles and through paths.

Some people might look at this as animal cruelty, but the truth is that these sled dogs race because that is just what they are bred to do. Running is second nature for sled dogs, and it is what they love to do in life. Sled dogs that are properly trained can run for miles upon miles with the other dogs on their team in a perfect and harmonious manner.

Sled dogs are organized in a team to do different jobs on the sled dog team. They are usually trained when they are young for a selected spot on the team based on what type of dog they are and their size. It is a musher's duty to raise the dogs and distinguish their role on the team. If the dog is large and sturdy, it will be a freight dog and carry the load. On the other hand, if the dog is small, fast and has long legs, it normally will be responsible for the racing duties.

The four types of sled dogs that exist on a team are lead dogs, point dogs, team dogs, and wheel dogs. Each one of these positions has an important role on the team, and without one of these positions the team would not be able to function properly. After they finish their training, they will be placed on a team of experienced sled dogs until they are ready to race with a group of other young sled dogs.

Lead dogs have the job of steering the rest of the team in the direction of the race path. They are usually placed in a double set, which means that there are two sled dogs that hold the job of being lead dogs. Along with finding the path, the lead dogs also set the pace for the other sled dogs to follow behind them.

Right behind the lead dogs are the sled dogs that are known as point dogs. Point dogs may seem like they don't have a very important job, but without them it would be very hard to go anywhere at all. These sled dogs hold the job of swinging the rest of the team around a curve or turn in the trail. Point dogs are also known as swing dogs because of the swinging motion they perform.

The sled dogs that hold the job that is most responsible for unity are called team dogs. Team dogs are there to add power and stability in the race for the other dogs. They need to carry the load if the lead dogs or the wheel dogs start to slow up. Team dogs carry the balance for the rest of the sled dogs.

Last but not least come the wheel dogs. The wheel dogs are in the back of the sled dog pack and are nearest to the musher's sled. These sled dogs must be calm and able to run with great ease because they are responsible for the stability of the sled. When a turn is made, the wheel dogs must make sure that the sled does not turn over as the other dogs have already made it.

Sled dog racing involves a complete team effort from the sled dogs and the musher. Each team member has its own job and needs to make sure that job is completed to the highest standard or else the other team members will feel the repercussions. Sled dogs love to run, and if they do so with poise and quickness, they will be successful as a team.


Sources:
“Mushing.” Wikipedia. 5 June 2007. 22 June 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushing
Introduction to Sled Dog Racing. ISDRA. 1998. 22 June 2007.
http://www.webheads.co.uk/sdcom/press/info/info1 .htm
Sled Dog Racing. 42 Explore2.com. 2003. Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson. 22 June 2007.
http://www.42explore2.com/sleddog.htm