List of sled dog races

The first idea for a commemorative sled dog race over the historically significant Iditarod Trail was conceived Dorothy Page, the chair of the Wasilla-Knik Centennial Committee.

[7] Since mushing's resurgence, the sport has proliferated and sled dog races are hosted in towns around the world, from Norway and Finland to Alaska and Michigan.

[8] Other similar sports that using mushing as a means for transport include; carting, pulka, dog scootering, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling.

[9] These events follow the same outline as the Klondike Dog Derby originally had, starting in the 1930s during Hennepin County's winter ice carnivals.

[8] The original race took place during a festival held annually by the Works Progress Administration called "Klondike Day."

Sprint races frequently are two- or three-day events with heats run on successive days with the same dogs on the same course.

Organized sprint mushing clubs typically host a series of small races as part of a season of competition.

Since the races usually last for a long time, especially in the hard weather conditions, the feet of the dog tend to bear most of the work.

Since softer feet don't usually do that well in those conditions and putting booties on dogs slow them down, that is what makes the Alaskan Husky so great at these races.

The breeding focuses on the parts of the huskies that do well for racing: endurance, strength, speed, tough feet, and appetites.

Arguably, next to having good feet, the ability to be harnessed and race with a team is the next most important trait for making the Alaska Husky the most popular and best dog sledding breed.