Sled dogs are born to run.
Dogs are one of the few animals expected to show up for work no matter what the weather conditions. In Nordic climes, sled dogs work for sport and transportation and are genuine athletes. Dog sleds can be heavy and require their carriers to be strong and fit.
The Weight
Dogs used to race or pull touring sleds in tourist areas are conditioned to haul heavy loads over great distances and time. But sled teams and weights vary wildly. In some cases a few dogs will pull several hundred pounds, in others, more than a dozen dogs will pull one rider on a 50-pound sled. As a rule of thumb, dogs should not haul more than twice their body weight unless specifically conditioned for heavier work. But professional dogs have been known to pull more than 200 pounds each in competitions.
Huskies and Malamutes
In competitive racing, Alaskan huskies, Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies dominate, though some sled masters (or mushers) also use border collies, samoyeds or hounds. Alaskan huskies are considered the fastest and are the standard in racing. Siberian huskies typically weighing 35 to 60 pounds are built for pulling light loads over a moderate distance. Alaskan malamutes, which can weigh 75 to 85 pounds are better at pulling heavy loads because of their strength and muscle mass.
Fitness is Key
Depending on whether dogs are used for racing, freight pulling or tourism, the size of the average dog on a sled team can vary greatly. One thing all sled dogs have in common, however, is being physically fit and trim. A dog that is even slightly overweight is prone to soreness in his joints and muscles. Pre-season training runs tend to be short distances designed to trim-down dogs before more serious training, with gradually increased weighted pulls and longer runs, begins.
Concerns from Animal Lovers
Given that sled dogs drag several hundred pounds across miles of snowy terrain, some people wonder whether the sport of dog sledding is cruel. Mushers usually counter this concern by pointing out that the weight of the sled is dispersed over many dogs. Proponents also argue that professional sled dogs are not only bred for the task, but they are much stronger than many people and that pulling a sled over ice is easier than pulling one over many other terrains.
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