Traditional Dog Sled Ride Tour

FAQ

• Do all dogs have names?
  Yes, all our dogs are named, with the exception of our newborn puppies. Names are chosen based on pedigree and personality.
• What kind of food do you feed?
  We feed high-calorie, high-energy food for racing dogs, fish to improve their coat, and meat such as chicken, pork, and beef. We feed Inukshuk 32/32, an expensive, high-calorie dog food, to keep the dogs healthy. Calorie counting (feeding more food for running, etc.) is also done properly
• Does it matter whether the dog is male or female?
  Male dogs are not selected by gender, but most of them are placed in the back because they are bigger and stronger, while females are smaller and faster than males, so they are often placed in the front. Male/female leaders are not particularly related.
• What kind of dog is the Alaskan Husky?
  Alaskan Huskies are great athlete dogs. They love to run, and if they don’t run the opposite way, they get stressed out.
• How many races are held?
  There are many races, from small to famous, held from December to the end of March every year in Canada, North America, Alaska, Europe, and other countries.
• How much do you pay for feed and dog care?
  Yes, it costs a lot of money and time not only to feed the dogs, but also to maintain the facilities, care for the dogs, and clean them. That is why the dogs are so carefully cared for.
• How do you choose which dogs to run?
  Each dog has its own training plan, so basically the dog of the day is chosen based on that training plan. There are many different types of training, including puppy training, full-scale racing dog training, and training to become a leader. As the temperature drops, the training distances increase. (Puppies are usually trained by their handlers.)
• What does it take to be a leader dog?
  It takes a lot of factors, such as intelligence, athleticism, training, and motivation. A professional musher can tell which dog is suitable for a leader dog by its physique (musculature, bone structure, etc.), personality, and behavior from the time it is a puppy.
• Do you train all dogs?
  We give puppies a few days off to train, so not all dogs run every day. Depending on the temperature, we train 32-60 dogs a day at most. Also, as the temperature drops, the training distance increases proportionally.
• How can I become a dog sledder? Are there any qualifications?
  There are no specific qualifications to become a dog sledder. (In Alaska, most of them are volunteers.) It still takes at least 5 to 10 years to build up your own kennel and dog raising operation. Also, handlers start with small races and gradually gain experience.
• Do ATVs have engines?
  Yes, they have engines, but without side brakes, the dogs will pull this machine as well. During summer/fall training, it is very hot for the dogs, so we use this machine to adjust the speed so that they do not get over heated stroke from running at full speed. It also serves to train the muscles that pull forward.
• Differences in Dogs’ Running Style
  Like humans, dogs have their own personalities, abilities, and personalities, as well as running habits. A dog that appears to be running at a brisk pace without jumping is actually a long distance runner, and is called trotting. If your dog has already run long distances, he has already learned how to run trotting. They also understand how far they should run and which way they should run in order to save their energy.
• Why are they running at an angle?
  If the pull forward is strong and the actual speed is slower than the dog is running, the energy will be sideways instead of forward, making it appear as if the dog is running at an angle.
• How do you tell if a dog is a good leader or not?
  Leaders are judged most by their intelligence and speed, while other dogs are judged by their strength, endurance, concentration, personality, and whether or not they eat their food.
• How old does a dog have to be to run a race?
  On average, the peak age for a full-fledged racing dog is between 2 and 6 years old, but there are some dogs that race 8 years old. Even after they retire from racing, they are kept in this kennel not only for racing but also for various other roles, such as touring, teaching puppies (training), and being kept as breeding dogs. （They will spend their entire lives in this kennel (life expectancy 12-15 years).