Mushing
Remnants of sleds and harnesses has been found with canine remains in Siberia which carbon-dated to 7800–8000 years ago.
These men, known as coureurs des bois (runners of the woods), were the first European mushers in North America, extended French influence south and west and in 1609, New France controlled all the Canadian Shield.
This "Last Great Gold Rush" has been immortalized by American author Jack London in The Call of the Wild.
In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen used sled dogs in a race to become the first person to reach the South Pole.
[6] By the time of the First World War, mushing had spread to European countries such as Norway, where dog sleds were used for nature tours, as ambulances in the woodlands and mountains, and to bring supplies to soldiers in the field.
[7] During the 1925 serum run to Nome, 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed diphtheria antitoxin 674 miles (1,085 km) by dog sled across the U.S. territory of Alaska in five and a half days, saving the small city of Nome and the surrounding communities from an incipient epidemic.
Mushing as a sport is practiced worldwide, but primarily in North America, northern Europe and the Alps.
The most famous sled dog races in the world are: Although dogsled racing gets more publicity and is seen now as the primary form of mushing, recreational mushing thrives as an unorganized sport providing a healthy outdoor form of winter exercise for families.
Qualities for a good lead dog are intelligence, initiative, common sense, and the ability to find a trail in bad conditions.
Strength, steadiness, and ability to help guide the sled around tight curves are qualities valued in "wheelers."
Harnesses are worn by dogs used in mushing to allow them to run and pull with freedom of movement.
They are designed to distribute pulling weight evenly over the body, and are made of material that is durable and lightweight to varying degrees.
The most commonly used styles include X-back (also referred to as racing harnesses), half-back (used more commonly in mushing where the line angle is steeper such as canicross and bikejoring), and spreader-bar/freighting (used for hauling heavy loads low to the ground, or by wheel dogs on teams).
[9][10] Harnesses have certain requirements for some competitions such as weight pull, to ensure the safety of the dog in their task.
The nomadic tribes of Siberia such as the Chukchi used sleds which rode low to the ground (known as a "narta"), and sat or lie down to ride them while the dogs pulled[12] - today most mushers use a standing style sled with a handlebar, and foot grips on top of the runners.
