Dogs of the Iditarod

[lived9lives]

Those are interesting questions. As for being outside it is hard to comprehend how adapted to their environment these dogs are. Their favorite "running" temperature is +20 to -20 degrees. Then factor in the body heat generated while running and the lower the temps sans major wind and they are warm as toast. Thus keeping them in a warmer environment works against their winter-weather conditioning. (Some dogs will wear coats if they tend to not have a thicker coat or if the wind is whipping.)
Some mushers do have shelters but usually for puppy whelping, females in heat, sick or injured dogs. Generally speaking a well run kennel will see the majority of dogs out exercising on a daily basis either mushing, swimming, running a treadmill etc. (It's actually a voluntary giant hamster wheel and some dogs, especially yong ones will have to be removed as they jsut keep running and running.) As for the chains many mushers have tried kennels and the dogs go bonkers BECAUSE they can't run and run - even if it's in circles they still get the adrenalin rush - these are extremely high energy dogs. I know Hugh Neff is experimenting with creating small packs within a kennel enclosure but I haven't heard how it's working for him.
And yes as with countless dogs across this country some kennels have dogs that don't get the needed exercise but most professional mushers understand and fulfill the needs of their wonderful doggies.
PS. I thought the same things when I first started following this sport...

[kayrank]

I'd like to encourage everyone to vote in the poll by USA TODAY in their recent article about the Iditarod "Sport or Torture" (pressure from PETA, I'm sure). Click here to put your two cents worth in:
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/pets/pawprintpost/post/2011/03/sport-or-torture-are-the-dogs-having-fun/146856/1

MUSH ON!!! :) :) :)

[pamurchu]

Just voted...thumbs up. Thanks for the link.

[Seabird]

I just voted Too, Thanks

Does anyone know if Aliy Zirkle's dog Boondock is actually the smallest dog in the race this year, maybe ever? I believe she weighs in at 35lbs.

[Kris123]

I just voted too. Looks like 76% say leave the Iditarod alone. Being an Iditarod fan for many years, from everything I've read, the owners of these dogs will sacrifice their own comforts to make sure the dogs have the best food, bedding, shoes, coats, exercise, etc. and this just isn't true during the Iditarod but all year long. For several mushers, racing is pretty much their livily hood so mistreating any of their dogs would essentially be like shooting themselve in their own foot. I'm going to agree - this poll looks like a way for PETA to solicit contributions, although, considering the results they may have been better off just leaving well enough alone.

[JasonM]

I know these dogs love to run, as most larger dogs do. You can see it as soon as they are hitched up to the sled. The only issue I have is the fact that they are chained up and left outside 24/7 in the freezing cold weather. I realize it's the easiest and least expensive way to house the dog, but wouldn't a big heated barn be preferable if the funds were available to have such? In the end, these are domesticated animals, not wolves, so don't they require better living conditions?

People have been running sled dogs for years, and have experimented with lots of different ideas. For awhile the dog barn was an idea that lots of people used (watch the movie, Iron Will set in the early 1900's they all live in a barn), but people eventually realized that dogs were overall healthier and happier when they got plenty of sunshine and fresh air. The enclosed confines of a barn lead to lots of sanitary issues, that even regular thorough cleanings can't keep up with. Plus the fumes generated by the cleaning products used in an enclosed area create respratoty issues as well.

Also, remember that Alaskan Huskies are a pretty primitive dog- they have evolved to live outdoors in the far North (there is actually going to be an article published soon about the extra fatty layer that sled dogs have insulating their vital organs keeping them warmer than many other warmer climate and less primitive dogs) and are comfortable in very low temperatures. Have you spent much time, being well dressed outdoors in the middle of the winter? I winter camp alot and work outside almost everyday of the winter with sled dogs. And can attest to if your used to it, and dressed appropriatly its not bad at all. the dogs seem to appear the same way...happy in their fur coats. Lastly, remember every dog in a dog yard has their own house filled with straw or cedar chips and can go in there and get out of the elements on very cold nights. All in all a great life!

[surfer2]

How important is it for a dog to make to the end of the Iditarod in terms of gaining experience of the race of the following year? On another thread somebody wrote that for Lance it will be important to take his team of puppies into Nome to make them gain experience. Would these dogs remember tracks, the race itself, etc an year later? Do dogs have memories that go long in the past when they are not related to humans? I am not dog expert at all, but I am just wondering.

[TonyaS]

I have a feeling it's good for both the dogs and the musher. It lets the musher know which dogs can handle it and which ones can't. Also, dogs have a strong sense of direction, they seem to just know how to get from here to there, so I can only assume that running young dogs on the trail would definitely help them prepare for another race.

[cedardog]

"Those not chosen to race are killed".
I think the life lesson that can be learned from a comment like that is;The world is filled with a lot of ignorance.
Whatever makes someone say things like that usually has nothing to do with the subject. I've know "animal rights" people and all of them had some deep issue with their parent (s) and are control freaks. Next week it will be "save the whales".
I would ask that person, show me the facts.

[lived9lives]

surfer2:
Yes these dogs have incredible memories. Many a musher with an experienced team has come to a place on the trail where the route has been changed and his dogs will automatically attempt to go the old route. Trail experience and memory is incredibly important during blizzards and white-outs. This one very important reason why Lance is almost on a "training" run = allowing them to methodically learn the trail. They are almost homing pidgeons in their abilities. In addition many of the lead dogs have extra powers and can actually pull the entire team off-trail when there is an unseen fissure or weak ice ahead. They will literally balk and inexperienced mushers may not listen to them and pay the consequences. Many, many a musher's life has been saved and races won due to these mystical powers of these incredible dogs! Mush on!