I sledge dogs they are almost legendary figures in everyone’s imagination, especially those who live in warm environments. These are specific specimens, recognized by the International Cynological Federation (FCI, World Canine Organization comprising 82 members and partners, which ensures the standards of belonging to a given breed) as tow dogs.
For the sled pulled by dogs, in fact, are used specific breeds with a strong physique and resistant even to the coldest temperatures. Let’s see which specimens they are and what type of training to implement to ensure that the synergy necessary for towing the sled is created.
What does sled dog mean?
Sled dogs are trained for this purpose. In the Far North these specimens are an essential aid as means of transport.
Usually these are different breeds used for towing, characterized by profound psychic differences, but with the commonlove of the pack, the rejection of solitude and respect for the social hierarchy. Equipped with a good hunting dog instinct, snow dogs have a behavior and an innate propensity for attitudes that recall their ancestor, the wolf.
Among themselves, these specimens communicate through various attitudes and mimicry which indicate submission, provocation and/or invitation to play.
Sled dogs in the ENCI herd book
L’Italian National Dog Entity (abbreviated as ENCI) deals with organizing national and international events, cataloging dog breeds and establishing within the Herd book of breeds the reference standards for the various recognized specimens.
Right inside this book, we find in the Group 5 (Dogs type Spitz and primitive type) a section called Nordic sled dogs. These are specimens originating from Russia and North America selected for their resistance and their great strength and used as a tow for the sleds which remain, in geographical areas with an extremely harsh climate, still a valid means of transport.
In countries with milder climates it is possible to use these specimens for lo sled doga sport to be practiced with these four-legged friends in winter.
The breeds of Nordic sled dogs
The specimens belonging to the section Nordic sled dogs there are four:
- Alaskan Malamute;
- Greenlandic;
- Samoyedo;
- L’Husky siberiano.
Let’s see each breed in detail.
Need a big sled dog? The Alaskan malamute is what you need!
Original Alaskan draft dog, bred by the Maliumiut tribe (of western Alaska) the Alaskan malamute is one of the heaviest and most powerful draft breeds.
He is a large and vigorous specimen of dog, perhaps a little slow, but with an excellent reputation in the history of polar exploration.
His independent character requires a very solid upbringing, but can be a very loving companion. Like other sled dogs, it is made to live in a pack.
The Greenlander: an arctic breed
The Greenland dog is a specimen that, as its name indicates, comes from Greenland. Just like his Canadian Inuit cousin, he’s a dog very resistant and used for Arctic expeditions.
His body is very muscular, the jaw powerful, the ears short and pointed forward. It is a dog that needs a lot of authority, but is very sociable with humans.
The primitive Samoyed
Probably closest to primitive dogs, the Samoyed comes from a distant Lapp tribe who used it for a long time as a shepherd dog for reindeer herds.
It’s a specimen loving, but it is also the loudest of the sled dogs: it barks very often. He is a good watchdog.
This breed is robust and graceful, dal thick and full coat. Fur soft and all to caress.
Il Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a specimen from northeastern Siberia. The name Husky once meant “hoarse” due to theparticular bark of this specimen which brings it closer to its ancestor wolf.
He is a very affectionate dog, but at the same time very independent. His serious air makes him look aggressive, but in reality he is great playfulespecially with children.
This breed has a hunting instinct very developed, just like its sense of smell: it is able to follow a trail under a very thick layer of snow, even after several days. He likes to live with others, in community and when the herd is large he respects its hierarchy. In our country it is also chosen as a companion dog.
How to train a sled dog?
- Sled dog training should start from an early age. In fact, the puppy must learn from an early age (two-three months) a live in community with other specimens in a respectful manner. In this way he will learn the codes necessary for communication and will be able to understand the meaning of hierarchy.
- After the first months in which the puppy learns theinteraction with his fellows, we move on to interacting with the objects he will have to use (four-five months). It will be about doing it smell the pulling tools and make him wear them (without using them because his body isn’t ready) caressing and reassuring him. This phase is used to familiarize the dog with the work tools.
- Once he has learned to recognize the tools, the real training begins: the dog is taught to direct his movements and to follow a path of which we will give him the coordinates. These are constant exercises to be done every day, until the animal is completely listening to what you are saying.
- After a education period which varies from six to nine months, it begins with towing with other dogs, with which it will have to create synergy and complicity.
Caution: these indications are for information only. To train a sled dog, contact an expert to avoid incurring the risk of hurt the dog.
