How to choose your racing dog?
Choosing your dog is above all choosing a future adventure companion with whom to share your daily life. Are you sporty? Do you want to start canicross? Most healthy dogs can accompany you on unforgettable outings or in competitions. If you are looking for sporting challenges and performance with a single dog or in a team, here is a non-exhaustive list of the most represented racing dogs.
A well-trained sporty dog will always be efficient! We share the training secrets of the best athletes in our "Training tips".
Summary:
- Define your criteria and expectations to choose the right dog
- What environment for my dog?
- What dog temperament are you looking for?
- Which dog for which discipline?
- A dog that matches your sporting goals
- Which breed of dog to choose for pulling sports?
Define your criteria and expectations to choose the right dog
Your dog's performance can only fully express itself if its environment suits it. On your side, assessing your lifestyle and expectations will help you determine what type of dog or breed will bring you the most joy daily, in training, and at races.
What environment for my dog?
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, your dog will, before sports, share your daily life. Therefore, make sure to choose a dog suited to your environment and lifestyle.
- Will it be the only dog in the house, or will it need to join a pack?
- Are you looking for a companion dog for your running outings or a working dog?
- Will it live mostly indoors or in a kennel?
- How much time can you dedicate to sports with your dog?
All these elements that make up your daily life should be considered when choosing your future dog. Comfortable in an environment that suits and reassures it, your dog will only be more efficient!
What dog character are you looking for?
Every dog is unique and develops its personality throughout its life. However, there are generally common traits among dogs of the same breed: independence, attentiveness to commands, loyalty, tendency to explore their environment, or to guard the house... These are character traits that should match your expectations and your dog's environment.
Which dog for which discipline?
The physical and mental demands on a dog vary according to the sports practiced:
- Canicross, cani-trail: A responsive and disciplined partner will be an asset, as well as its ability to pull you consistently throughout the running course.
- Bikejoring, cani-scooter, skijoring: Athletic dogs with good speed bursts will be better suited for these physically demanding sports. Responsiveness and reactivity are also essential.
- Mushing: Power, speed, and endurance are crucial, whether on snow or land; mushing requires excellent physical condition from the dogs to be effective. Naturally, from sprint to long-distance, the sought-after qualities will either focus on speed or endurance. Depending on its physical specifics and mentality, each dog can also occupy a position within the team as a leader, swing dog, team dog, or wheel dog.
A dog in line with your sports goals
You will not seek the same level of performance if you practice for leisure or at a high level. The training volume required will also be quite different.
Maintaining your dog’s balance should always be a priority, so ensure you can meet its physical and mental needs. Remember that a high-level racing dog will need to exercise and run extensively to feel good, almost every day.
As they often say with racing dogs: “A tired dog is a happy dog!”
If your schedule or motivation does not meet these needs, consider a dog breed that may be less competitive in pure sports aspects but will be more balanced and fulfilled with your lifestyle.
Which dogs to choose for mushing sports?
We are discussing dog breeds or crossbreeds aimed at performance in mushing. Keep in mind that the choice of lineage is important depending on the type of effort or character you wish to prioritize. Seek advice from enthusiasts of your sport or the breed you are considering!
Specific Crossbreeds for Sled Sports
Since the end of the 19th century, crossbreeding has been carried out between different dog breeds to improve sledding performance. While these crosses are not considered dog breeds in their own right, they have specific characteristics and well-identified lineages today.
The Eurohound or ESD
The Eurohound, also called the European Sled Dog (ESD) or Scandinavian Hound, is certainly the ideal racing dog for sled dog sports over short and medium distances.
Originating from Scandinavia, the Eurohound is a result of the cross between Alaskan Husky and hounds (mainly German Shorthaired Pointer, Pointer, and a bit of Greyhound or Saluki). This dog perfectly combines the sledding abilities of the Alaskan with the speed and athletic capabilities of the Pointer and German Shorthaired Pointer. Very close to its owner and attentive, the Eurohound is a highly efficient dog and is favored by sprint and mid-distance mushers as well as participants in other mono-dog sports such as canicross and bikejoring.
The Greyster
A racing dog of Norwegian origin, the Greyster is a result of the cross between a Greyhound and a German Shorthaired Pointer. Powerful and fast, it is a large dog that excels over short distances. Very sensitive, the Greyster often feels better at home than within a pack or kennel. It is therefore a dog highly appreciated by those who practice mono-dog sports or small sled teams who also wish to share their daily life with a companion dog.
The Alaskan Husky
The Alaskan Husky, or simply the Alaskan, is among the first dog crossbreeds with the aim of improving sled team performance in a northern environment. Huskies were crossbred with local Alaskan dogs as well as hunting dogs like the Pointer or the German Shorthaired Pointer. The significant amount of northern dog in the Alaskan allows it to be comfortable in the most extreme winter conditions. The Alaskan is therefore a sled dog widely used in long-distance races and sled expeditions.
One of the most efficient Eurohound sled teams in the world in mid-distance with Rémy Coste
Alaskan Husky of Thibaut Branquart
Hunting Dog Breeds
Selected for their speed, power, and endurance, hunting dogs are also present in sled dog sports. Logically, we find breeds that are the basis of modern crossbreeds: mainly German Shorthaired Pointers and to a lesser extent Pointers. Setters and Spaniels are also sprinters.
Even small dogs like the Jack Russell Terrier or the Parson Russell Terrier love to pull!
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Nadine and her Braque
Siberian Husky race line
Nordic Dogs
Inseparable from dog sledding, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Greenland Dog, and Husky are the historical dogs of sled dog sports. They have pulling in their blood for many generations and are therefore logically dogs to consider. Due to their particularly thick coat, do not forget that Nordic dogs can suffer from heat more easily than short-haired dogs.
Siberian Husky race lines, fast, slim, and tall, like Jean Combazard's team, manage to compete with Alaskan Huskies teams and are well represented in mid and long-distance races. They maintain an independent character with a often pronounced pack spirit.
Herding Dogs
Belgian Shepherd (Malinois, Groenendael, etc.), Australian Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd, and Border Collie (to name a few) are dogs that are very attentive and full of energy. They are fast and their strength is sufficient for mono-dog sports like canicross or bikejoring, where human assistance is important. The Beauceron, more powerful but a bit less fast, is also well represented among racing dogs, particularly in canicross.
The Australian Shepherd enjoys canicross!
While crossbreeds like Eurohound, Greyster, or Alaskan logically have the preference of athletes seeking performance, we have just seen that many dog breeds are perfectly suited to the practice of a pulled sport, including at a high level. Remember that in sled dog sports, you form a team with your partner or team, and all the links in the chain must work in harmony: you, your dogs, and your equipment!
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