NOTE: Include reference to gait and body.
Sledding is a sport that involves one handler and a team of up to eight dogs, racing over multiple days and many many miles. Not all breeds are suitable for sled racing, and only adult dogs are allowed to participate.
Currently Allowed Sledding Breeds: Siberian Husky
Open Class Races are for teams made up entirely of dogs who do not have their SDCh. Even one dog with a championship title will disqualify a team from participating in an Open race.
Champion Class Races are for teams with one or more dogs who do have their SDCh. Non-championed dogs that are on winning teams in Champion races will be awarded points towards their SDCh, not GSDCh.
5 Sledding Points are awarded to each dog on the winning team of each race, and 3 Sledding Points are awarded to each dog on the teams that come in second, third, and fourth. Sled Dog Championship (SDCh.) is achieved when a dog has earned 15 points. Grand Sled Dog Championship (GSDCh.) is achieved when a dog has earned 75 points in Champion level races.
A good sled team is carefully constructed to make sure that each dog is performing in the role it is best suited for. Speed and stamina are important to all sled dogs. All of your dogs should also be highly motivated and well trained, but dogs of different temperaments are better suited for different roles. As a general rule you want to place your more intelligent dogs near the front of the team and your stronger dogs closer to the sled.
Teams need, at minimum, one lead dog and one wheel dog. Full teams of eight are not required to participate in most races, but having a larger team reduces the strain being put on each dog individually.
Lead Dogs should be smart and confident. They're positioned at the front and are responsible for making sure that your team goes where it is supposed to go.
Team Dogs should be well rounded and relaxed. They make up the body of the team, so they should be fast, strong, and prepared to make it through the long sled races. The first two of your Team Dogs can be Swing Dogs that can be swapped out with your Lead Dogs in an emergency. If you are going to have swing dogs on your team you want to make sure they're smart enough to do the job.
Wheel Dogs should be strong and calm. They have to bare the bulk of the weight and can't freak out if they get hit by the sled.
Sledding
Sledding is a sport that involves one handler and a team of up to eight dogs, racing over multiple days and many many miles. Not all breeds are suitable for sled racing, and only adult dogs are allowed to participate.
Currently Allowed Sledding Breeds: Siberian Husky
Classes, Points, and Titles
Open Class Races are for teams made up entirely of dogs who do not have their SDCh. Even one dog with a championship title will disqualify a team from participating in an Open race.
Champion Class Races are for teams with one or more dogs who do have their SDCh. Non-championed dogs that are on winning teams in Champion races will be awarded points towards their SDCh, not GSDCh.
5 Sledding Points are awarded to each dog on the winning team of each race, and 3 Sledding Points are awarded to each dog on the teams that come in second, third, and fourth. Sled Dog Championship (SDCh.) is achieved when a dog has earned 15 points. Grand Sled Dog Championship (GSDCh.) is achieved when a dog has earned 75 points in Champion level races.
Team Building
A good sled team is carefully constructed to make sure that each dog is performing in the role it is best suited for. Speed and stamina are important to all sled dogs. All of your dogs should also be highly motivated and well trained, but dogs of different temperaments are better suited for different roles. As a general rule you want to place your more intelligent dogs near the front of the team and your stronger dogs closer to the sled.
Teams need, at minimum, one lead dog and one wheel dog. Full teams of eight are not required to participate in most races, but having a larger team reduces the strain being put on each dog individually.
Lead Dogs
Lead Dogs should be smart and confident. They're positioned at the front and are responsible for making sure that your team goes where it is supposed to go.
Team or Swing Dogs
Team Dogs
Team Dogs should be well rounded and relaxed. They make up the body of the team, so they should be fast, strong, and prepared to make it through the long sled races. The first two of your Team Dogs can be Swing Dogs that can be swapped out with your Lead Dogs in an emergency. If you are going to have swing dogs on your team you want to make sure they're smart enough to do the job.
Wheel Dogs
Wheel Dogs should be strong and calm. They have to bare the bulk of the weight and can't freak out if they get hit by the sled.
