Does my dog have to be a husky?
Absolutely not! Plenty of high-powered pups love dog-powered sports and many of the areas strong competitors still run teams with herding breeds like Australian Shepherds or hunting breeds like German Shorthair Pointers and Labs!
How big does my dog have to be?
There are many powerful pullers that are 30 lbs. At a smaller size than 20 lbs, you will need to consider how you plan on enjoying a dog-powered sport with your dog. A scooter on the beach may be too difficult for a small dog, but swap out for a bike or your own two feet to enjoy canicross? No problem!
How old should my dog be?
While many of us start the foundations of training - such as harness introduction - at a young age, it is best to wait until the dog’s growth plates are completely closed to begin running your dog in harness. This is usually around 18 months in larger breeds and can be confirmed by X-Ray with your vet.
What should I start with?
Bikejoring? Skijoring? Canicross? Oh my!
Overwhelmed by all the options out there?
Where you get started will have a lot to do with what your dog enjoys, the time you have to commit to training, how many dogs you will be running initially, and how much money you want to spend.
Here are some rough guidelines to help you navigate your first year or two within dog-powered sports. These are not ‘rules’, but general observations from among our members and races.
Canicross
Canicross is a wonderful option for individuals running one dog who would like the lowest investment cost possible and the best access to trails! There are more running/walking paths in urban areas suitable for 1-dog trail running than there are biking/scootering pathways.
Bikejoring
Due to the less specialized nature of mountain bikes, they are more readily available used and can be more affordable than a dog scooter. If purchasing a bike for running with a powerful dog, invest in disc brakes! You will need them to safely stop. There are one and two dog classes for bikejoring at most races.
SCootering
One of the most popular options in dog powered sports for smaller teams, scootering has one and two dog classes at most races. Some people may run 3 dogs with a scooter if the dogs are slower and not overly powerful, but most 3-dog teams are run with a cart instead. Disc brake options are also available in scooters. Most individuals who prefer scooters reference a lower center of gravity and better stability than on a bike.
Cart
Carts are primarily used for racing larger teams on dry land (three+ dogs) and an ATV is used for training the team. Carts have additional features that make them safer for larger teams than a scooter or a bike, such as a dirt brake that can be set if the team needs to be assisted plus 3-4 wheeled brakes.
ATV
Motorized ATVs are not permitted within races but are commonly used in training - they allow for the musher to help their dogs a bit during conditioning and a brake to be ‘set’ if the team needs to be assisted. ATVs are one of the safest ways to train larger teams (4+ dogs), but have restricted trail access as they are a motorized vehicle.
Skijoring
Don’t be intimidated by the skis! There are recreational nordic skis that are easy to learn on and can be mastered in a few lessons at the Nordic Ski Center at Meadows.
Once you have the skills to stay on your feet, add one to two dogs and enjoy hundreds of miles of great trails in Oregon and Washington. When you’re ready to really fly, you can upgrade to a skate skiing package and start hunting for fresh corduroy after the volunteer crew from the snowmobile club completes their grooming!
FAt Bikejoring
A relatively new dog-powered sport, this is a great alternative for when conditions are too muddy or snowy to utilize a regular bike, but not ideal for skijoring. Fat bikes also are wonderful for beach runs. Enjoy with one to two dogs and invest in good braking power. Keep in mind that race classes are limited for fat bikejoring, but it is catching on at more events!
Mushing
We often get asked how many dogs are needed to start mushing with a dog sled. It really depends on your sled and your dogs!
There are races offered for smaller two dog teams through open class which can have a pool of more than eighteen dogs!
If you are intending to run with only 1-2 well-trained dogs that do not have too much pulling power, then a kick sled may be a better option than a traditional dog sled. However, a kick sled will lack a brake or an option to set a snow hook - critical safety features of a sled necessary to run a team that is excited to go!