Dropping Dogs

[racheldc]

I know next to nothing about the technicalities of racing; and this is only my third year following the Iditarod, so forgive me if I sound ignorant. There was a distressing dog mortality rate in 2009, and I've taken a bit of flack for my new found obsession from people who have a negative view of the treatment of sled dogs. (Then again, I live in New York City, where I see huskies milling around in "doggie day spas" on my way to work, and have to wonder if they wouldn't be happier out running across the tundra... so go figure...) I'm a "tree-hugger" by nature myself, but I just don't see the race as animal cruelty.

I just want to go on record as saying how clear it is, even this early in the race, how much the mushers care for their dogs. Dropping dogs. Scratching. God bless 'em! All I see is the love.

[1stimestar]

You can't force a dog to run 1000 miles. It's a mixture of breeding, conditioning, love and trust of their musher that makes them go.

[HBSammy]

Most people can't even get their dogs to sit and stay for a few minutes. :D How do you think you can get a dog to run if they don't absolutely love it?

[mitten]

I saw or heard a quote from Dallas Seavey today similar to what 1stimstar said -

You can't make a dog run a 1000 miles. They have to WANT to even more than you do.

-----------------------------------------

The mushers most important jobs in a race is to keep their dogs happy and HANG ON TO THE SLED. :)

[saltybird]

And as Jeff King says, "You don't have to make them run, you have to make them stop."

[Baker]

I asked this on another Forum, but they were too busy scrapping about Lance Mackey to respond - Does anyone know if they vet test dropped dogs & if the results are made public, or does that stay with the musher?

Baker

[HBSammy]

Not sure what you mean by vet testing, but all dropped dogs are examined prior to being flown out. If a dog is dropped because its too old, too slow, too tired, non-medical problem, then they are just given a routine exam (check for dehydration, heart, lungs, etc). The musher must give a reason as to why he is dropping a dog. If a dog is dropped for a medical cause, the vets will do much more than the routine exam - may have to get the dog stabilized, give medication, IVs, or whatever is needed.

[Baker]

I was reading this article about the extent of dog dropping in the 2011 race.

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/s ... y?page=0,0

An extract:
"Mackey's biggest worry was that his sick dogs are suffering from sled-dog myopathy, a condition in which muscles start to break down."

I am wondering if Vet test results are published so that what affected a particular dog becomes known, or whether only the musher is told.

It helps my understanding of why so many dogs were dropping out & why. The article suggests heat, & I read somewhere, possibly spoiled food.

Baker

[cedardog]

I read in one report that Sebastian is resting his dogs between check points. That may be a very good thing to do. With so many dogs parked at the points, there would be more of a chance for dogs to pick up something for a sick dog.
By resting them alone the team can stay strong and healthy.

[1stimestar]

I asked this on another Forum, but they were too busy scrapping about Lance Mackey to respond - Does anyone know if they vet test dropped dogs & if the results are made public, or does that stay with the musher?

Baker

Would you want your medical information published to the general public? Most of the time, the cause of a dropped dog is general information but I believe it is up to the musher whether he wants that info out there or not.