Hi Boys and Girls,
The Iditarod starts in 2 weeks. I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I hope you are going to have as much fun following the race as I am. Have you picked a musher to follow yet? What are your classrooms doing to get ready for the race?
I’m going to write several short posts to try to answer some of your questions. Thanks for all the great comments and questions. I will answer as many as I can directly in the blog but sometimes, a question is asked more than once or is of a topic I think would interest lots of readers.
Abigail asked about the positions on a dog team. There are 4 different positions on a dog team. A dog can rotate positions and doesn’t always stay in one place. The dogs in the front of the team are called “lead dogs”. That’s what I’m hoping to be but it takes a lot of hard work to lead a team. Lead dogs are usually fast runners. They set the pace and they have to listen and follow the musher’s commands. They also have to be able to read the trail and sometimes have to make quick decisions. The musher can’t always see what’s ahead of the team so it’s the lead dogs’ job to go around danger, or stop the team. It’s a very important position on the team. Teams usually have more than 2 lead dogs and they rotate the lead dogs into the other positions. Some dogs are better on hills while others may be better on ice or crossing rivers. A musher will use the dogs that are the best or most comfortable with the trail and weather conditions.
Behind the lead dogs are the swing dogs. Swing dogs are usually lead dogs or lead dogs in training. They are responsible for swinging the team around corners. This is the position I’ve started running in. I’m learning my commands by listening to my human and then watching what the lead dogs do.
Following the swing dogs are the team dogs. Team dogs make up most of a big dog team like the ones in the Iditarod. Any dog can run as a team dog. Many teams rotate their dogs into the team position.
Next are the Wheel dogs. Wheel dogs are placed right in front of the sled. They have the most physically demanding job and are considered the powerhouse of the dog team. Usually, but not always, Wheel dogs are the biggest and toughest dogs on the team. I think my brother Slate should be a Wheel dog. He’s so big and strong.
Next time you see a picture of a dog team, figure out what position each dog is in. Each position is very important for the team. Just like with any sports team, all the dogs and the musher have to work together to be successful.
Well I’m off to do my kennel chores. Next time I’m going to talk about humans dressing for the cold weather.
Till our trails meet again,
Gypsy
13 Comments
Dear Gypsy,
I was wondering why some sled dogs wear booties, and other sled dogs do not. I was also curious what is packed inside the sleds. Thank you for writing. I love to explore too!
Anson
What dog has run the most Iditarods since 1925?
How do the dogs know if they’re a swing dog or lead dog or team dog?
What are some popular places to train a sled dog and how long does it take to train them?
What dog has run the most Iditarods since 1925?
How do the dogs know if they’re a swing dog or lead dog or team dog?
What are some popular places to train a sled dog and how long does it take to train them?
Mr. Camlek’s class
hey there how are you i was just wondering how long it takes to run the race and how old the dogs are when they race?? Tom
Wow, what a lot of good questions. Some I’m not sure of what the answers are. I’ll have to do some research.
Tom, finish times vary from team to team. Most teams will finish between days 9 and 15. Ages of the dogs also varies.
Anson, look for a post from me about what’s in the sled bag. That is a great question and I’m sure others are wondering the same thing. Booties are worn in certain conditions. They protect the paws from ice and snow packing between the paws or to keep sharp ice from cutting the paws. Also, some dogs paws are more sensitive than others. Just like in humans, some go barefooted a lot and it doesn’t bother them while other humans need to wear shoes.
Mr. Camlek’s class- Dogs know their job by where they are put on the line. When a dog is moved to the lead position, they know what they need to do. Just like positions on a football team or baseball team. The players know what to do by where they are. Some players are better in certain positions and stay in those positions. The mushers can tell which dog will be good in the different positions and will place the dog in the postion that’s the best for them.
I hope that answers most of your questions until I can get another post finished and on the blog.
Thanks for writing,
Gypsy
We are 5th grade students at Wallace Elementary School in Wallace, NC. We have been studying about the Iditarod. We would like to know the following:
1. How old are you?
2. Do you run in any dog sled races, if so do you ever feel like quiting or giving up?
3. Where were you born?
4. Do you love your owner?
5. What is your favorite thing to do and to eat?
Please email back! Lauren and Jordan
Who do you think going to win this year?
I hope Jake berkowits! From Isaac
We are e-mailing from Wallace Elaementary, Wallace, NC. We have a few questions for you…
1) Does Zuma like being the Iditarod mascot?
2) How did you learn to type?
3) Who is your owner?
4) Where do you live?
5) Who do you have your own blog, and how do you keep up with everyone who e-mails you?
6) Who is your favorite musher in the Iditarod?
7)Have you ever been in the Iditarod?
Your Friends,
Sheila & Callie
P.S Write Back!!!
hi my name is chase .I agree with you . If it
isn’t the boots it has to be the fur that keeps the dog from getting frostbite!
Love what u said and i learned alot from what you said it tought me alot it was very intresting you seem very active and keep up the hard work to be a lead dog!!! How long do you usally travel?? And I meen you! Ohh and What is the logest you’ve ever traveled?? Shenay
You seem like a very nice dog and it is great that you get along humans and puppies and if i could i would love to come and meet you i would bring you thousands of dog treats since you are a great leader but you will only get one a day because you don’t want to get fat and have to drop out of the race and not be able to be a leader but i am sure the humans appreciate you very much
Your Fan
Olivia of Fargo,ND
Hi im Meaghan.How cold is it in Alaska? Where can I find out?
Wow you all sure have a lot of questions today!
Some I’ll answer here, some I’ll answer in future posts.
Lauren and Jordan, you and find out all about me by going to “Meet the Reporters” on the left side of the blog. I have two favorite things, one is attending K-9 journalism school and the other is to run. My humans are pretty special. They have been with me since the day I was born. There were 8 in my litter and my brother Slate and myself were picked to stay here. I feel very lucky. My dog food with Salmon soup added is my all time favorite thing to eat.
Hey Jake, This is the first race I’m really following. I was only 5 weeks old when last years race started. So I’m reading about all the mushers and am going to watch how they all do. I’m really not sure who I think will win. There are so many good teams running this year.
Sheila and Callie, Zuma is very proud of the position she has had for the past several years. I have never been to the Iditarod.
Hi Shenay, Right now I only go for 4 mile runs. That will increase slowly. I belong to a recreational team that hopes to do some mid distance races next year.
Olivia, Thanks for writing. I just love treats but my human doesn’t give me too many.
Meaghan, The temperature in Alaska can vary from town to town. You can check weather on the Iditarod main website or you can go to one of the various weather websites to find out the weather for the various towns or checkpoints.
Thanks to all of you for writing.
Gypsy