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February 8, 2010 | ![]() |
Dogs and sleds
Dogsleds are in the news lately, as several races have recently taken place around the Northern Hemisphere, and as transportation choices for both a meeting of the G-7 and the start of the 2010 U.S. census. Mushers brought representatives to Iqaluit, a small village in Nunavut Territory, chosen to host a recent G-7 meeting, in part so Canada could assert sovereignty over its part of the Arctic. The 2010 U.S. Census, as per tradition, kicked off its count on January 25th in a rural part of Alaska in the small village of Noorvik, as census takers arrived by dogsled. And recent dogsled races include Le Grand Odyssee, the Sedivackuv Long, Pirena, the Aviemore Husky Sled Dog Rally and many more smaller regional competitions. Collected here are a handful of recent photos of sleds, dogs, and their humans. (30 photos total)

Three-year-old J-Sun Inti howls to the tunes of his owner's harmonica. He is part of the Boston Snowdogs dog slead team out of Dorchester as they awaited to take part in the Myopia dog sled competition on Saturday January 16, 2010 in Hamilton, Massachusetts. J-Sun Inti was a rescue dog and was adopted in Peru, his name means "son of the sun" in the Tarahumara language. (Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)
To see the entire entry, with all photographs, click here.
184 comments so far...
Great pictures! Being a dog lover, these are beautiful dogs.
Too cold for me though!
I loved them!!!
Wow this time i am the first commenter for this beautiful post
All great pictures as usual, I especially liked #30. Thanks so much.
Yeah. I'm a fan of all of these. #4 in particular is great.
21 is hilarious! great pics
#21 and #30 are wicked funny.
love #18
Ahahah => #25 :)
Awww!! #s 7 & 8 made my heart melt!
Look careful. That's the proper environment for sled dogs.
They don't belong in a crowded city and they especially need more exercise than a half hour walk in the park.
Dogs don't seem to feel cold like humans do. Even the short haired dogs in the photo's seem comfortable in the snow. Don't their feet get cold?
very nice serie!
#3 and #28 love them pictures!
A very-good-mood post.
#30 - humorous
#30 is doing it all wrong.
@jojo: I think they're pretty comfortable in that weather. Dogs are domesticated wolves, and wolves live in areas with snow. Humans are quite well adapted to extremely warm climates; we're kind of outliers in this regard.
#3 - WOW
Are they Samoyed in # 24, Love the #21.. Soooo Cute!
I thought these pics were beautiful - thank you!
hey hey hey hey hey hey heeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyy hey hey hey hey heeeeeyyyyyyy
-reference from reddit.com this morning -
#18 looks like they are having a great time...
very nice!
Nice Chick @30
Beautiful pictures, people and dogs
Aww! I love #21
What a great collection of pictures! You can see the eagerness to work on their faces.
21 & 26: LOL. :)
Love it!
Pic.2 Is't Florida in winter?
Third is awesome - my new wallpaper. Thx
They are awesome!
great gallery... as always
#21 Hilarious!!.. now I want to have a dog... great pics!!
What great photos of dogs doign what they were bred to do! Really fabulous!
Very nice set! I enjoyed it!
I want to go Dog Mushing with Lisa Curtin... she can pull my sled any day...
@jojo: Notice that the dogs in #27 are wearing shoes.
Captures the character of the sled dog and his master. Beautiful!
21 had me laughing pretty hard!!!
I love how much the dogs love the run. Some of the pictures had me wishing for sound.
Very nice! Especially #30
bellissima serie
How can anyone not love dogs? Seriously. The human/dog relationship has to be the greatest invention in the history of man.
Wow, siento el aliento de los perros, su olor y el aullido y ladrido tumultuosos antes de la salida.
Impresionantes!!!
Gracias!!
Great Photos !!
I looove it!!
Really awesome..., i love dogs "Dogs are human best friend,....Ever".....
huskies are such gorgeous creatures. really awesome photography; the backdrop is so amazing as well!
awesome !!!
Ever since I was little boy I love dogs and especially Huskies beautiful animals,humans best friends,period
#12.... Awesome focus and composition
I had a Siberian Husky growing up. She was incredibly intelligent and extremely loving. My favorite breed by far.
# 25 Made me giggle...
Wonderful pictures!
Great pictures especially #29 and #30.
These incredible dogs are born to mush and these pictures are fantastic.
lol, #21, such a familiar sight. Awesome pics.
Jumpin' Jack Flash! It's a Gas Gas Gas!
man's best friends .. bless them :-)
very beautiful and interesting. the dogs look content. i hope they are
well fed and not overworded. if we, human-beeings were dogs, the
world would be far more better!
Fantastic dogs! I really love this specie dogs, they are sooo beautiful. #18 extremely happy dogs.
great pictures!!!! absolutely love those sled dogs....
#30 is the perfect example of Role reversal. All pics are too cool.
Some beautifull shots are there, i love nomber 24
amazing~
Being a dog lover i felt so bad to see these pics, just for fun just for enjoyment man are using these dogs for sledge race. its pathethic.... I dont know when people will learn, some day when dogs will start using man for fun then only man will realize how cruel they were.
Amazing pictures.
I like the 13th one ! Look at two different eyes ! Really Nice
OMG!I love them!
Really fantastic pictures!
Wow! I can only dream of experiencing such beauty accompanied by such awesome animals, one day!
Oxymoron --- A team of sled cats.
Those are wonderful photos, and brought back some very find memories to me. I used to train Siberian Huskies in the late 80's and early 1990's, using the same method seen in the photo of Shane Wilkinson, and his pack. We made rigs out of old bicycle frames, and run them all over the UK, even entered competitions too. Great times.
Sons of bitches :P literally
# 21 is cute!!! Made me smile :)
Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing and tweeting the link!
Beautiful photos~ just curious if anyone knows how long a dog is raced for before they are retired. Does the owner keep the dogs, the pups seem very loyal to them.
#18 and #21 made my day. Thanks photographers!
Such fantastic pics! My first pet was a Husky..these bring back great memories. Thank you!
VERY GREAT! Extremely good photography and beautiful scenes
Great Photos.. but what kind of crap political agenda are you pushing.
The Arctic that Canada HAS sovereignty over has been and will continue to be Canadian.
The U.S. ought to be considered lucky that France sold them Luisianna and Russia sold Alaska - don't worry Canada will not sell its portion of the Arctic.
#21 is my new background image! =)
#22: "On no, Zakela has escaped!"
All of God's creatures are so beautiful and perfect. I have been around horses and dogs all my life and there is none other that is so loyal to their keeper. So intelligent!!
Neha, comment #65, the dogs love what they're doing -- look at the smiles on their faces (particularly in 6 and 18!). I've been to dog-sledding demonstrations before, and the excitement and happiness among the dogs as they're being hitched to the sleds is just unbelievable. They *want* to run. They *want* to pull. That's what they've been bred to do, over hundreds of years, just like retrievers have been bred to retrieve. It's like an instinct with them.(and anyone who has ever had a labrador retriever knows just how strong that instinct is). A sled dog wouldn't be happy if it couldn't pull. When I look at these great pictures, I can't help but smile as I see these wonderful pictures of beautiful dogs doing what they love.
cute dogs
i love them
the best friends for human
Amazing pictures.
For political correctness, while Iqaluit is small, it is the capital and largest city of the Nunavut Territory in Canada.
Sled dogs are adopted out, just like grey hounds once their career is over. It bothers me to no end when I see these dog sled competitors attempt to claim that their sled dogs are part of the family. You wouldn't put your ten year old child up for adoption, so don't do it to your dog either. I have two rescue snow dogs who are the best pets - so cuddly and affectionate. They are great with kids, great in the car, quiet (other than the occasional howling), non-destructive, and playful. I would reccommend a rescue sled/snow dog for any family who has lots of space and a big heart.
If someone gets 3 dogs, build 3 dog houses and attach all dogs by chain to them, is it legal in MA? Let me know.
Brought a big smile to my face as my own "best friend" faces late-stage cancer. Amazing dogs, fantastic photos, thank you for sharing!
At least 142 dogs have been RUN TO DEATH or died of other causes during the annual Iditarod dog race in Alaska. They are forced to run over 1100 miles under grueling conditions while the musher rides comfortably in the sled. The musher who pushes their dogs the hardest to finish first is the "winner" and makes lots of money off the dogs.
Please read this for "the other side of the story."
http://www.helpsleddogs.org
The main dong on #24 is Chewbacca's dog for sure!
#21 AWEOME! Dogs are the best
Whenever animals are used, there is usually more to the story than what these happy photographs reveal. For example, what happens to the puppies who are bred who do not qualify as good racers? Are they killed? Are they added to the pet overpopulation tragedy? What happens to the racers when they get too old to race, or don't perform up to expectations?
BTW, did you notice photos #10 and 22 that show how the dogs are kept - - behind bars and in cages?? That is likely why they look so glad to be out of their cages and running.
These are happy dogs!
What to say speechless
Dogs love their masters and their masters love their dogs.
Owning a dog can increase your lifespan by YEARS.
NICE SHOTS! Dog - best frend!
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing. This is what well exercised dogs with a purpose look like...HAPPY HAPPY!
Siberian Huskies are the best dogs...I have a ten year old male that I wouldn't trade for a Super Bowl ring!
To comment #65 (Neha) in conjunction with comment #82.
From a behaviorist point of view, I can confirm that these dogs love this more than anything. Dog *lovers* sometimes get mixed up thinking that working a dog is a bad thing, when in reality they want it more than anything. A similar misunderstanding is that some dog *lovers* feel the need to be very gentle as if caring and nurturing a baby, with dogs, and therefore not to put them under any slightly rigorous exercise or training at all. Dogs are very tough animals, moreso than we are, and can take a lot of vigorous exercise and training, furthermore they aren't just *able* to take it, they need it. Notice picture #11 for example, the enthusiasm in the photo is almost contageous! Tails raised high, ears forward, bodies almost leaping out of the skin in excitement and joy to pull the sled. Hope this info helps you on your quest to becoming an understanding dog owner, not just a dog lover!
NH NH NH - the Boston Globe and they dont even talk about the wonderful decades old sled dog race in Tamworth/Chocorua/Wanolancett NH. Great job Globe!!!
Totally awesom. What beautiful creatures God has made! Thank you for the incredible pictures.
Thanks for featuring these beautiful animals, I love #18 & #21
Neha, comment #65 I have 2 huskies and they LOVE to run, they are a working breed. Even though mine are treated like babies, there is nothing they love more than going for a good run. I have been looking into training them on a sled. It is not cruel, what is cruel is to not let these dogs burn off their energy, they do better when pulling things or carrying a load because it helps them burn energy faster. They aren't lazy dogs who love laying around by any means.
#95 Michelle I agree with you whole heartedly they are an amazing breed, they keep me laughing with how they interact with the world. They are so loving and sweet.
we have a siberian huskie,black and white with blue eyes. They are beautiful dogs for sure.
#7 is a Jack Russell Terrier, not a sled dog! Anyway, that Jack is acting just like mine. They love chasing anything that moves and biting at it. All the photos in this series are wonderful.
Re @88 - For a well reasoned and thoughtful response to each of Margary's half truths, please read the article at the following link:
http://blog.nj.com/skiing/2010/01/and_another_side_to_the_iditar.html
Great Pictures! #7 and #30 are pretty funny
Lovely lovely photos!
I am part of Boston Snow Dogs- we race, and we also treat our dogs like dogs- They are very well cared for, and eat better than we do most of the time. When I go to a meet-up, or hook my dogs up to a sled (I have 2, 1 from a breeder, and one rescue who was tied to a tree for the first 11 months of his life) I see their eyes light up, when I ask them if they want to go to work, and the harnesses come out, they start running in circles. They are happy well adjusted dogs. The 'cages' that you see in some of the photos are the safest way to transport a large number of dogs at one time. How would you like to have 10-15 dogs riding in your pick-up cab, or you 4-door sedan with you? How safe would that be for anyone-you or other drivers on the road? I can't wait to race in the next year- dry land or snow- I know that my dogs love to 'go to work' and to pull. They have been breed for the last 3,000 years to do just what is shown in the photos above.
Dogs die all the time, the Iditarod has the strictest rules on dog care that I have ever hear of.
Housing your dog- As the state puts it as long as the dog has food, shelter and water the owner can pretty much do what they want. I do not necessarily agree with this- my dogs are currently in my bed with me, queen size, and I have about 1/4 of the bed for me. But as long as the dog is healthy- they don't care.
Retired dogs are put up for adoption or moved to being just pets. Dogs die at dog parks, in their homes, and at the vets office. The only reason the # of dogs noted above are even noted is because of how big the race is.
Under exercised Huskies, and all dogs for that matter, are prone to more health issues, more risk of being turned into a shelter for being destructive and it can also turn dogs mean.
The happiest dogs I have ever seen have been racing dogs at the races I have attended.
Happy dogs make happy families.
Good luck to everyone who is racing this year- I wish you smooth sledding! To those of you who nay-say- come see a race, interact with the dogs who are racing and also who are not racing! They are some of the happiest dogs I have ever seen in my life.
I like these photos there very good, but #21 was awesome
I agree, these dogs are their happiest when their pulling a sled. You can tell by looking at them, they actually have a smile on their face. What beautiful dogs!!!
Love, love #3. Minnesota also has a dog sledding scene!
http://mattmeadlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/mark-black-beargrease.html
lovely dogs! I wanna get the high resolution pic to set it as the wallpaper!
Fantastic photos. Thank you. Regarding comment #90 -- sled dogs are transported in cages to keep them safe while on the way to and from races. Plus the cages are cozy dens for the dogs to sleep in while waiting for races to begin. It's really amusing how animal rights nutniks protest things they know nothing about, or simply parrot each other. It's kind of like getting all horrified that "helpless human infants are STRAPPED into CHAIRS." Ummm, those would be child safety seats.
absolument splendide - ces chiens reflètent la puissance - la gentillesse et la beauté - qui dit mieux ?
wow! i love so much husky's!! they are so cute. anyways i really love the pics^^
i bookmark the site, it is really great!
me gustaron las fotos estan muy lindas felicito a los duenos de esos hermosos perritos cuidenlos muchoo es parte de su vida..
Fantastic photo series. Pure joy and excitement in those dogs.
Fantastic series. Dog Rules!!! : )
Never posted on this site before but have always been a fan...but this set of photos has made my morning....
#13 is the best...
Wonderful pictures!!! I have had six Siberians so far and each has taught me so much about the breed. They truly love to run and "exhibit their freedom" but are always happy to cuddle up and go to sleep by their human afterward. I have done no sledding but would love to be in an area with an environment and climate more friendly to the sport.
Awesome !!!I love dogs !!
WOW !!! WONDERFUL PICTURES !!!! I LOVE SIBERIAN HUSKIES !!!!
SHOES! Yes mushers 'boot' their dogs when the conditions are icy and rough on the paws!
love them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great pics, i race in the UK with many of the folks in the pictures, what a great bunch of people! the dogs are in the back of a dog truck in photo 'behind bars'. the truck is kenneled out for the dogs safety and comfort, they have big kennels in the vans so they dont just jump out the trucks and disappear off, its their own space when they are away racing and its the safest way to travel with the, believe me the dogs have more room to sleep and get cosy in our truck at night than we do. all the dogs are happiest when running in harness, they LIVE for it, you cant stop them running, you cant force a dog to run, or as jeff king put it 'you cant push rope!' all the dogs get top notch dog care, top quality food, ours eat better than us most of the time!
these dogs love to run more than anything else! dont just listen to the naysayers spouting rubbish, please attend a race and chat to the mushers, you'll eb ,ade to feel more than welcome and see for yourself how much these dogs love to raac d pull! and you'll understand how much we love our dog and how much they loeve us.
Loved these pictures and the story they tell.
These beautiful dogs love the outdoors and love to run.
Had a wonderful Siberian for 14 years and he very much enriched and was a part of his human family. In addition he loved to pull his single sled although for recreation only. Still have it and it was hand made in New Hampshire (USA) I believe. Probably should be sold and moved on. Need to know how to price and I do have pics.
aaaaaaaaw they look so cute i wish i could have.im a dog lover![lol!]i actually like all of the pics!
# 30 - love it ..a great photo - wonderful color and...it's about time humans learned their place! arf! arf!
I love dogs. Especially working dogs. Tongues a wagging.
Has Disney ever thought of a movie? #21 would make a fantastic character. The epitome of emotion. "Go team!"
Lee
How wonderful to see such great photos of sled dogs doing what they LOVE to do - working in harness!! No one who has owned a sled dog breed or who has attended a race (or even a training session) could ever doubt that the dogs love it - it is written all over there faces and you can hear their impatience to get going from miles around! Long live those folk who allow their dogs to do what they were born to do!
Super cute dogs!
thank you for pictures, all were beautiful! i used to be a dog sledder. i love dogs and wish i could still do it when i look at all these pics god bless!
Loved it! ^^
Sled Dog Fan: you are right on: the dogs in the cages are there for transport only. They don't live in cages. A dog who lives in a cage will be in very poor health. Mushers really do treat their dogs like family; they have to, if they want to be successful in race conditions, because those dogs have to be very tightly bonded with the musher in order to follow orders properly. It all comes down to mutual trust.
The dogs do have to retire eventually, of course. Some are kept by the mushers themselves, who may find it impossible to part with such close companions, while others will be adopted out. Those mushers who keep the dogs often find them useful in helping to socialize new dogs; some mushers have quite large packs and older dogs can be useful as role models to the younger ones. They'd only be destroyed if there really were no alternative. Unfortunately, this is all too often the fate of huskies adopted by people who don't understand the enormous drive that huskies have. They *crave* physical outlet to a degree that often surprises naive owners.
Oh, and to Janie @ 88, the musher does not "ride comfortably in the sled". The musher does ride in the sled, but if you consider those conditions comfortable, then you must be tough as a Spartan.
Even though the pictures are wonderfull, I can not help to be sorry for those creatures. I understand that's the way it goes, but there I am......, regards
absolute fabulous pics.....of GREAT dogs!!
tnks photographers for sharing!
Absolute great!
Wonderfull
Before I bought a D-slr camera I just looked at these as good pictures. Now I look and think "damn that lens must have cost more than a car!"
I've been on a sledge in January in Kiruna, north of Sweden at this was the most memorable experience I've done. They love so bad running that when we stopped for dinner, they barked and called for us to keep running, really great! And they're so sweet as well.
Hope to do it again... Great life, beautiful landscapes and good friends, what can a (wo)man ask further?
I ran sled dogs for ten years, but had to sell my kennel when I became unable to race them anymore. I was very careful in making sure that each dog went to a good home or kennel. Looking at these pictures and comments reminds me of the wonderful times we had with our dogs. The dogs loved running, and it was great exercise for them and me. I do not know of any mushers that just ride on the sled while the dogs pull. The musher usually works harder thean the dogs.
Pat Ek
I'm sure the "this is cruelty brigade" would be in the "My dog is a human" brigade and who are actually harming their dogs more than doing good. My Sibe Mya is uncontrolable when I even touch her harness, it like my son and his PS3 control! Wind your neck in, THINK AND RESEARCH before you open your big unwanted piehole!
Like they say; "The scenery doesn't change much. Unless you are the lead dog!"
Great pictures,beautiful dog's, beautiful country, the expressions on their faces show so much excitement, and looking forward to the trip. Just remember to care well for mans best friend, and he will continue to work hard for you. These dog's are happier working than just laying around.
21st is stunning!
Very nice,great fotos...
beautiful!!!
Beautiful shots. One better than the next. Dog is truely mans best friend. Sure is mine.
i have a husky and just love him he is awsome
Beautiful pictures of these awsome dogs!!
Beautiful photos!
When I was growing we had a dog, Bear- he was a mix of malamute, husky, shepherd (and maybe a little collie?). He LOVED to run- we would take our bikes out for a ride and he'd out pace us every time (living in coastal GA it was the best we could do...no snow...)- we had him for 8 years and had to give him up. I see these dogs and remember him.
Thank you for sharing-they are beautiful dogs!
Loved the pics and Im from Australia. We dont get much snow here, where I live it never snows here. The dogs just love to pull.
wonderful! loved it! rob vinesett
人类最友好的朋友!
Wonderful pictures...very nice captures...I love it!
Цуко
Boots are to keep ice from feezing between the toes and tearing the pads.
Dogs without pads spend every waking minute, once quiet trying to get the ice out of the crevices between the toes,usng their teeth. Otherwise, the dog cannot walk, pads bleed, and infection sets in.
Dogs who stay outside, working dogs, need boots unless it's too cold to snow - 'dry' snow - or not doing much work. Surprised to see only the one pic.
piękne :)
amazing collection !!!!!!!! wow wow wow .....
I'M proud to see this, I have 7 awesome samoyedes. These picturs are wow !
Huskies are the most beautiful dogs to me.
Huskies are beautiful dogs...except the eyes. Blue eyes are just freaky period. Humans. Dogs. Shuddddder.
all these dogs are cute:):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 18 is just awesome!! hats off to danny lawson!
the pack look like leads of some dog-mafia flick!
De superluxo. Hasselbrald de seguro.
Excelentes fotografías.
Felicicades
awww jeeez i just love dawgs!!!
Müthiş fotograflar...
tebrikler ve bize izlettiğiniz için teşekkürler...
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES
I have always wonted a husky . I love the beautiful pictures thy make me wont one more . take care .
#21
it is sooooooooooooooooooooo funny~~~ :D
awesome!!!!!!!!!
I like these photos there very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What amazing pictures!!
Beautiful dogs ! They are really human's best friend.
Really enjoyed these! Reminded me of the dog sled races I watched at Franklin Pierce University in the early '70. Really exciting!
cute dogs......
The cute dogs
wow,,,
nice pic..
awsum
Самая красивая собака
I blowed away when I saw pic #3! Awesome!
I recently had to have my two huskies euthanized and never thought I would get over it. But after one week I had to have another dog. My son wanted a shepard so I gave in but when I went to the rescue to get him there was a husky sleeping in the corner. I called her over and she got up. I knew I was hooked so I asked the rescue about her. She was almost 13 and was a sled dog that the owner didn't want so I adopted her to. How could someone be so cruel.
great dog
I just got my dog my mom did not want it but me and my whole family wanted one so we got one when my husky grows up she will not be as crazy as the people across the street its like they don't care it wasn't because huskies sometimes are crazy well it's because they put their dog on a heavy chain but he wanted to play but they didn't know that so they sold it when he was 1 year old.my dog is fifteen months old we got our three days ago the people across the street huskies name was Rex my huskies name is Lexy this is a true story .
I LOVE MY DOG LEXY SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH THANK YOU MOM AND DAD.