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Get a taste of dog powered sports. You'll be wanting more!
Scooterjor
Scooterjor or sometimes referred to as scootering combines a dog driver (human), a scooter, and a dog.
The dog driver stands on on the scooter and works in concert with their canine partner; aiding with kick-like assistance while the dog pulls. The scooter may have an antennae attachment on the front or one can be made or purchased after- market. This helps keep the towline from getting tangled in the front tire.
This activity is most often used with 1 or 2 dogs. Some mushers prefer this wheeled device over a bike since you are closer to the ground and can dismount quickly if needed.
Bikejor
Bikejoring involves a dog driver, a mountain bike, and your dog(s). This is one of the most popular styles of dog-powered sports as it doesn't require any expensive, specialized equipment: just a quality mountain bike!
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The driver works in concert with their canine partner(s) who pull and the driver pedals. Most drivers use 1-2 dogs. An antennae may be attached just below the handle bars to aid in keeping the towline off the front tire.
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**Recommendation: Disc brakes are highly recommended with powerful dogs or those who don't stop on command! It is also advisable to have moderate biking skills and be fitted to a bike for your body size.
Dryland Rig
Mushing with a dryland rig involves a team of dogs that pull a human on a 3 or 4 wheeled apparatus.
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Dryland Mushing was originally used for the purpose of conditioning dogsled teams in the off-season, however it has since become a year-round, worldwide dog sport.
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The rig may have a factory- installed antennae attachment on the front or one can be made or purchased after- market. This helps keep the gangline from getting tangled in the front tire. This activity is most often used with 4-6 dogs, however depending on the weight of the rig and conditioning of the dogs, 2 dogs have been known to pull one!
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Learn about all the various styles of dog powered sports
Canicross
Canicross is the sport of cross country running with your dogs it. It is increasingly popular and has become a stand-alone sport. Canicross can be run with one or two dogs. The dogs wear a pulling harness and are attached via a bungeed towline to the runner’s belt.
Carting
Carting is a style of dog dog driving. Some carts utilize 2 wheels; others, 4.
A sulky cart is a style of dog driving for 1-2 dogs. It is a 2-wheeled apparatus with a seat. The cart's shaft connects to the dog's saddled harness. While not as popular within the Midwest region, it is still enjoyed by many across the world. Sulky driving is a recognized sport by the International Association of Dog Drivers. You can learn more by visiting Chalo Sulky
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A Sacco (brand name) is a 4 -wheeled cart designed to be pulled by dogs while the driver remains seated. Generally they come equipped with 2 tow bars (2 dogs), however adding extension bars to the tow bars allows for 2 dog pairs working in tandem. You can learn more about this style and brand of cart by visiting Sacco International.
Fat Tire Bike-jor
Fat tire bike (FTB) joring is just like regular bikejoring except you use a Fat Tire Bike. FTB-joring can be done year round- dryland or snow! In the winter you can drop the PSI of your tires to gain more surface area on the snow. Some people opt to use studded tires. Please use caution in icy conditions! You don't want to injure yourself or your dog(s).
Learn about all the various styles of dog powered sports
Dog Sledding
When the general public thinks about dog sledding, they might imagine a romanticized view of fluffy Siberians running down a trail into the vast wilderness. Many breeds, both purebred and mixed alike, partake in this sport.
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There are also several style of sleds ranging from sprint, mid-distance, distance, & toboggan styles. Sled can be made from wood or lightweight materials such as fiberglass and carbon. The differences in materials also dictate how light or heavy a sled may be. Depending on the style of mushing, you may have 2 dogs for recreation up to 16 dogs for the famed Iditarod distance race.
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Dogs are generally run in pairs on a gangline. They are attached at end of the harness, and may also be attached with a neckline. The neckline serves to keep them in-line on the gangline, NEVER as a means to pull.
Kick Sledding
A kick sled, also known as a Nordic sled, is another way to mush with your dog! Originally used in Nordic countries as a mode of winter transportation, it quickly morphed into an Olympic sport in the early 1900s; sans dog.
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It wasn't until recent years, people realized they could take their dog and dogsled with them. This is an easy and affordable option with individuals who have 1 or 2 dogs. Some Kick sleds can fold down and are small in size, making them easy to transport in almost any vehicle.
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Traditional kicksleds will have very narrow runners, sometimes metal and may need to be outfitted with runner plastic to widen them to aid in gliding over the snow versus cutting it and sinking in the snow.
Skijor
Skijoring is skiing with your dog. Skijoring means "ski driving." The human counterpart drives the team of 1 or 2 dogs via skiing and the dogs pull. The driver wears a specialized belt that is attached to a bungeed towline which is then tethered to the dogs via the dog's harness. **Recommendation: it is wise to have very good skiing skills before attaching your dogs.
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HOW CANÂ I LEARN MORE?
Are you hooked yet? We host classes throughout the year ranging from initial mushing introduction, line making, sled maintenance, and 1/1 mentorship.
Follow along here or on our discussion and event group Facebook page for Mushing 101 Classes and mentorship opportunities (free; by application). Classes are generally held in the off-season so you are ready to go once mushing season begins. Contact us for more information.