ASDRA - SPECTATOR INFORMATION

Alaskan Sled Dog & Racing Association

Anchorage, Alaska

Spectator Information

To enjoy the Sled dog racing events remember these items:

Find a good viewpoint behind the trail edge.

Teams leave at one or two minute intervals and often are closely spaced. Faster teams may have even passed a competitor.

Look for dogs running well with their heads and tails down showing concentration on their effort. Tugs lines will be tight. Be aware that sudden movements or flashbulbs may startle dogs and break their concentration. You will see the head and tail go up.

Mushers will only ask for help if needed. Dogs often are shy of unfamiliar people.

Getting entangled in a dog team can be very hazardous for you and the dogs.

A dog team traveling at up to 20 mph takes up to 50 feet to come to a stop!

Sleddogs run very quietly. You may not know they are coming until you hear "Trail!" or worse you are entangled in the lines because the musher could not see around a corner.

Your pet dog will not enjoy watching sled dog racing events. A fast moving team will frighten most dogs. They also are a distraction to the racing or training dog team. Do not bring your family pets to dog mushing events.

Footprints and hoof prints leave holes in the trail resulting in injured dogs. OUCH!!! Please respect the designated sled dog trails.

They aren't all Huskies

Even the family pet may take to mushing. The famed Alaskan Husky is actually a blend of numerous breeds. Mostly a good sled dog just needs to enjoy running, and it's hard to find a dog that doesn't like to run.

Mushing is a big part of Alaska's heritage.

It is a great family activity and good for dogs. See if it might be right for you and your dog(s) to pull a sled down the trail. Contact the club for support.

"You Can't Push a Rope!"--Dick Tozier

It's not how hard a musher pushes his team; it's how hard the dogs want to pull. A successful team is the result of hours of care and commitment on the part of the musher. No amount of pushing will make a gang line taunt.

Here Are a few of the things

Sled Dogs Need

Water and more water