The sled dog: An ancient form of sled race, the sled dog has long been used among the Scandinavian populations who moved quickly and effortlessly through inhospitable territories by means of sleds pulled by powerful dogs.
The sleds were loaded with skins and hunting equipment and the hunter with surprising speed and a skill that still stuns today he ventured into hunting, while his dogs left the task of transporting traps, rifles, food, goods. basic necessities and game and skins on return. Known in northern Europe as Pulka, this transport technique for hunting purposes today represents an example of the symbiosis and the boundless trust that can be created between dog and owner: on more than one occasion, sled dogs have proved to be true heroes able not only to facilitate the hunting activity but also, in the most extreme circumstances, to save the hunter's life by quickly bringing him home. One example is the memory of the dog Balto, a mute leader who with his courage managed to save an entire population of gold diggers at the beginning of the twentieth century: still today a statue of him is proudly displayed in the heart of New York in Central Park.
This transport technique, originating in the countries of the Great North, has long been used by Eskimos, Atabakan Indians and even pioneering gold diggers and is still in use today, although the art belongs to very few hunters. The dog or dogs were normally connected to the sled by rigid traces, and the conductor, well secured to the sled and equipped with cross-country skis, was quickly transported by his trusty four-legged friends.
The sled dog as a sport
The Pulka today has rather transformed into Sleddog, an American term which literally means the pack of dogs pulling a sled; it is an exciting sporting activity that allows hunters and lovers of the outdoors to establish a fairytale relationship with wonderful dogs and enjoy the charm of landscapes that otherwise could be reached with difficulty. Suffice it to say that a well-trained pack of dogs is able to cover considerable distances daily, even exceeding 200 km.
This discipline so dear to hunters must be approached with caution and passion: becoming a musher, ie conductor of a sled requires physical prowess, excellent knowledge of the places, great ability to use cross-country skis, love for nature and for dogs and especially patience; in return, it offers a more than satisfying experience.
The dogs used in the sled dog
The dogs true protagonists of this discipline are different: in common they all have a strong character and surprising physical abilities.
Alaskan Huskies: it is perhaps the dog that most commonly collaborates with the musher, an evolution in all respects of the sled dog. It is the result of numerous crosses between hunting dogs (mostly greyhounds) and today this specimen selected by the sled conductors of North America, is used exclusively for sporting reasons.
Greenlandic: This fabulous breed is a direct descendant of the Eskimese, a surprising sled dog of medium to large size, robust and particularly strong. Used not only for pulling the sled but also and above all for hunting large game, it is a dog that in some circumstances can prove to be particularly aggressive in pack. It is fast and durable, but also capable of carrying large loads.
Time: in this breed there are no less than three, the Eastern, the Western and the European Russian. They all originated in Soviet territory and all three originated as hunting and towing breeds. Among the most popular for dog sledding we remember the West Siberian laika, not very fast but surprisingly powerful. Excellent track dog, this attitude of his sometimes distracts him from towing work.
Alaskan Malamute: it is the strongest dog of all but undoubtedly the least fast. The breed is native to Alaska, and recalls the name of the Eskimese tribe that selected it, the Mahaelmuts. Its appearance is massive and sturdy, and it proves capable of pulling surprisingly heavy loads.
Somoyedo: native to the arctic areas, recognizing a somoyedo is more than simple as its fur is white as snow. Selected from a Siberian population who gave it its name, the somoyedo is an excellent hunter, livestock guardian and sled dog. The size is medium and its hair is very thick and soft. Resistant and robust, it is less fast than the Siberian Husky and less strong than the Greenlander. It has recently been rediscovered as a companion dog.
Sled dog: a discipline to discover
If dog sledding (practicable even during the summer on earth) is a discipline that intrigues you, practicing it today is quite simple since it is an experience that many schools in northern Italy and beyond allow you to live: yes they can organize simple excursions to discover the most evocative woods of the area or take courses to become a five-star musher.