Dryland Dog Sports

December 1, 2006, 11:28 am

In my story today for New York Times, I cover the oddball uprising of so-called dryland dog sports. In lieu of sleighs on snow, participants use scooters, carts, bikes, and running shoes all in tandem with teams of dogs to move along at high speeds around the race track.

“Mushers now embrace the nonsnow disciplines as official competition,” said Dave Steele, executive director of the International Sled Dog Racing Association.

Training dogs on grass and turf is nothing new. All serious dog sledders start preparing for race season long before the snow falls.

But a lack of reliable snow cover in the East and Upper Midwest the last couple of years has prompted a cancellation rate of more than 30 percent for Isdra-sanctioned races.

Dryland competitions have gained prominence as racers realize the situation could be permanent.

“Used to be that December meant snowfall; you took it for granted, but not anymore,” said Steve Knight, a 59-year-old bus driver from Cambridge, Minn., who has raced dog sleds since 1976. “Some of the biggest names in the sport now race dryland, and it’s turning into a whole other season before winter comes.”

(Click here to link to full story on the paper’s website.)

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Commenting on post : Dryland Dog Sports

Posted by steven ollila - 12/04/2006 11:09 PM

I was at this event with a photographer friend of mine, and I thought I was in for a log,boring day. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The atmosphere was a mix between a track and field meet and a family reunionl. Having been involved in coaching soccer in the southeast, I have seen the ugly side of competition, but this event truly had a spirit of sportsmanship and camraderie that is rare outside the outdoorsie subculture. I am glad the Times felt this event was worthy of some press. We could use a lot more of this type of event in our communities

Posted by jojo roxx - 05/20/2008 08:23 PM

Dog powered sports ROCK! Everyone should hitch up there pup to something and let ‘em run. It’s fun for everyone and afterwards everyone is calm and happy.

Posted by Glen Davies - 12/14/2009 08:02 AM

I could not agree more! A GREAT famly sport for all ages, FANTASTIC interaction with all types of dogs and dog lovers alike, and an AWESOME EXPERIENCE! We run “minus the snow”, all year round in South Africa, our competitions are held early mornings in the winter time. K9 Adventure sport; keeps the dogs howling happy, the kids outdoors and the dads fit! Yeah! Dog power sports ROCK!

Posted by mark schuette - 01/03/2010 10:06 PM

try an urban mushing sport that is practical for us urban dwellers !

Dear High Drive Dog Owners-
check out these new dog/human powered rigs ! at WWW.DOGPOWEREDSCOOTER.COM
unlimited dog exercise under excellent dog control. and a whole new sport !
this is the first time anyone has placed a pulling animal BEHIND a steering wheel- that makes it so easy- that makes it big news !
any chance of a link?
thanks
mark