There is a lot of literature decrying the Iditarod as an inhumane race that kills dogs. Those who want the race to end are disseminating information that can be misleading at best and inaccurate at worst. Here are the top 10 Iditarod Myths:
1. Sled dogs are forced to run. You cannot force a dog to run. If a dog doesn't want to run they will lie down and there is nothing you can do to get the dog back up. Anyone who has seen a team get hooked up knows the problem is not getting the dogs to run, the problem is getting them to stop. These animals love what they do. Their excitement when they see the harnesses and sleds come out is palpable.
2. Dogs should not have to pull a sled weighing 400-450 pounds. That may sound like an extreme amount of weight, but it breaks down to approximately 25 pounds per dog. Considering these are the strongest draft animals in the world, that's not a lot of weight. During a sled dog tour, a team of 8-10 dogs routinely pulls two people with a combined weight of 300 pounds or more. I personally weigh 105 lbs and have carried a 40-pound pack for 13 days, 10 or more hours a day with one 24-hour rest. I felt great.
3. Mushers abuse their dogs. Granted, some mushers have and do inflict abuse upon their animals and this needs to end. Unfortunately the majority of mushers who treat their dogs well are not mentioned in the news because it is not sensational enough. Most mushers have a very tight relationship with their dogs and consider them family.
4. The ASPCA claims it is not possible to bond with over 100 dogs. I worked with over 100 dogs for three years and I bonded with each and every dog. I loved all of those dogs and had a unique connection with each dog. It is not only possible to bond with 100 dogs, it's easy.
5. Dogs are not given names. Every one of the dogs I worked with has a name and I would be happy to introduce you to them some day.
6. Sled dogs are culled. This is a practice that unfortunately still happens with some mushers, but it does not happen with every musher and it does not happen at Grizzle-T.
7. It isn't humane to have dogs pull humans. Sled dogs are built to pull. This is their work and where they get their sense of pride. They need a job to do otherwise they can become depressed or destructive. Pulling makes them happy, it provides great exercise. And if we were to say it's cruel to have a dog pull a human, then we would have to say the same for people riding horses, camels, llamas (carrying packs), to name a few.
8. The temperatures are too cold for the dogs. These dogs live outside year-round. They are similar to wolves and we would not presume that wolves need to be housed during the winter. They have lived in freezing temperatures since sled dogs first lived with man.
9. These dogs do not get proper care. These dogs get their nails clipped, get rabies vaccinations, get de-wormed regularly, brushed when they need it fed every day and loved. Wild animals do not need to get their teeth cleaned or be bathed.
10. Sled dogs would be better off as house pets. These dogs need to run long distances, which is why huskies have a reputation for running away from home. Most home owners think that a 20 minute walk twice a day is sufficient exercise. Sled dogs need several hours of exercise every day. They are pack animals and need the company of other dogs.
Look for Debunking Iditarod Myths: Part 2 for more information on sled dogs and the Iditarod.
1. Sled dogs are forced to run. You cannot force a dog to run. If a dog doesn't want to run they will lie down and there is nothing you can do to get the dog back up. Anyone who has seen a team get hooked up knows the problem is not getting the dogs to run, the problem is getting them to stop. These animals love what they do. Their excitement when they see the harnesses and sleds come out is palpable.
2. Dogs should not have to pull a sled weighing 400-450 pounds. That may sound like an extreme amount of weight, but it breaks down to approximately 25 pounds per dog. Considering these are the strongest draft animals in the world, that's not a lot of weight. During a sled dog tour, a team of 8-10 dogs routinely pulls two people with a combined weight of 300 pounds or more. I personally weigh 105 lbs and have carried a 40-pound pack for 13 days, 10 or more hours a day with one 24-hour rest. I felt great.
3. Mushers abuse their dogs. Granted, some mushers have and do inflict abuse upon their animals and this needs to end. Unfortunately the majority of mushers who treat their dogs well are not mentioned in the news because it is not sensational enough. Most mushers have a very tight relationship with their dogs and consider them family.
4. The ASPCA claims it is not possible to bond with over 100 dogs. I worked with over 100 dogs for three years and I bonded with each and every dog. I loved all of those dogs and had a unique connection with each dog. It is not only possible to bond with 100 dogs, it's easy.
5. Dogs are not given names. Every one of the dogs I worked with has a name and I would be happy to introduce you to them some day.
6. Sled dogs are culled. This is a practice that unfortunately still happens with some mushers, but it does not happen with every musher and it does not happen at Grizzle-T.
7. It isn't humane to have dogs pull humans. Sled dogs are built to pull. This is their work and where they get their sense of pride. They need a job to do otherwise they can become depressed or destructive. Pulling makes them happy, it provides great exercise. And if we were to say it's cruel to have a dog pull a human, then we would have to say the same for people riding horses, camels, llamas (carrying packs), to name a few.
8. The temperatures are too cold for the dogs. These dogs live outside year-round. They are similar to wolves and we would not presume that wolves need to be housed during the winter. They have lived in freezing temperatures since sled dogs first lived with man.
9. These dogs do not get proper care. These dogs get their nails clipped, get rabies vaccinations, get de-wormed regularly, brushed when they need it fed every day and loved. Wild animals do not need to get their teeth cleaned or be bathed.
10. Sled dogs would be better off as house pets. These dogs need to run long distances, which is why huskies have a reputation for running away from home. Most home owners think that a 20 minute walk twice a day is sufficient exercise. Sled dogs need several hours of exercise every day. They are pack animals and need the company of other dogs.
Look for Debunking Iditarod Myths: Part 2 for more information on sled dogs and the Iditarod.
About the Author:
Dagny McKinley spent three years working for Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works in Steamboat Springs, CO. Grizzle-T promotes healthy and loving treatment of sled dogs. McKinley is a published author and photographer and her book, Wild Hearts: Dog S
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