Skiing with dogs, known as skijoring (pronounced ski-jawr-ing, meaning «ski driving») is a dog powered sport where one dog or a team of dogs pull a skier. Skijoring can also be done with horses or vehicles.
Skijoring with dogs has its origin in dog mushing, where dogs pull the musher on a sled. However, a sled and a full pack of dogs was not always necessary or convenient. In Scandinavia, skijoring with dogs started as an effective way of getting from A to B. Scandinavians brought this way of transportation to other countries including America in the late 19th century. Skiing with dogs is now a very popular activity in the Scandinavian countries, both recreationally and competitively. When hitting the cross-country trails in winter, you are very likely to meet dogs of all shapes and sizes having fun with their owners in the snow. The interest for dog skijoring is also growing rapidly in other countries around the world.
Cross-country skiing with dogs is a fun activity you should definitely try! To ensure a safe and positive experience for yourself and your dog, you need to get the right gear and develop some skills before hitting the trails together for the first time. In this skijoring guide, we will share our athletes' best tips for beginners.
Can my dog do skijoring?
Dogs of all shapes and sizes can do skijoring, as long as they are healthy and fit for the challenge. However, you should always adjust the pace and distance to your dog’s abilities and let them decide the speed. Puppies or young dogs should not do skijoring until their bodies are fully grown.
Skijoring is usually done with one or two dogs. When skijoring with two dogs, you can use a Y-leash, as well as a neck line that will help keep your dogs together.
The best dogs for skijoring are usually breeds that are born with an instinct to pull like Huskies, Samoyeds or Alaskan malamutes. At the elite level the most common breeds are German shorthaired pointers (GSP) and mixed breeds like Greysthers or Eurohounds. These dogs are fast, strong, and love to run!
Rules
I. ENTRY RULES
A) ELIGIBILITY
1. ENTRIES
a. An entry for a race shall be submitted by the Wednesday prior to the start of the race. Acceptance of late entries and late fees to be determined by the race giving organization
b. The race-giving organization may reject any entry for just cause.
c. The race-giving organization shall prohibit any person convicted of animal abuse or neglect at a misdemeanor or greater level from participating in races.
2. DRIVERS
a. All drivers must report to the Drivers Meeting at times listed on the entry – both days. At the discretion of the Race Marshal, a time penalty of 10% of day time may be imposed for late arrivals. (For each class entered.) For those mushers who completely miss the meeting - disqualification.
b. The driver starting a team in the first heat of a race shall drive that team throughout the race.
c. A change in driver can only be made as the result of illness or injury to the authorized entrant and must have the approval of the Race Marshal.
d. Any driver disqualified in any heat of the race is not eligible for to compete in the remainder of the race.
e. Drivers disqualified from a heat for animal abuse shall not be eligible for further participation in any class that is part of that event.
3. DOGS
a. The Race Marshal may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.
b. Any team or dog coming to the starting line, which in the opinion of the Race Marshal, is unfit or incapable of safely completing the trail shall be disqualified.
c. Any team or dog not starting the first heat of the race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
d. Any team or dog disqualified in any heat of the race shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the race.
e. No dog is to be used for more than 1 event, except peewee & junior, unless approved by race giving organization.
4. DISEASE
a. No dog or equipment shall be brought from a kennel where rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, or any other contagious disease exists.
b. If the Race Veterinarian and/or Race Marshal determines any dog present in the race area to have a contagious disease, that team shall be disqualified and shall immediately leave the race area.
5. IDENTIFICATION
a. In races of more than one heat, each dog shall be marked for identification prior to the start of the first heat of the race.
b. Dogs dropped from teams after the first heat of the race with more than two (2) heats, shall be marked a second time to indicate their disqualification from the team.
6. SIZE OF TEAM
a. An Unlimited Team shall consist of not less than seven (7) dogs in the first heat, and not less than five (5) dogs in any subsequent heat.
b. A Limited Ten-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than ten (10) dogs, not less than seven (7) dogs.
c. A Limited Eight-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than eight (8) dogs, and not less than six (6) dogs.
d. A Limited Six-Dog Team shall consist of not more than six (6) dogs, and not less than four (4) dogs.
e. A Limited Four-Dog Class Team shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs, and not less than three (3) dogs.
f. A Limited Three-Dog Class Team shall not consist of more than (3) dogs and not less than (2) dogs.
g. A Skijoring Advanced Team shall consist of not more than three (3) dogs, and not less than one (1) dog. The race giving organization may reduce the maximum for safety reasons.
h. Skijoring Novice Team shall consist of not more than two (2) dogs, and not less than one (1)dog. The race giving organization may reduce the maximum for safety reasons.
i. A Novice Team shall consist of not more than four (4) dogs, and not less than two (2)dogs. The race giving organization may reduce the maximum for safety reasons.
j. A Junior Team shall consist of not more than two (2) dogs, and not less than one (1) dog. The race giving organization may reduce the maximum for safety reasons.
k. A Twelve (12) dog mid distance team shall consist of not more than twelve (12) dogs, and not less than six (6) dogs.
l. A Six (6) dog mid distance team shall consist of not more than six (6) dogs, and not less than four (4) dogs.
m. A Pee Wee class team will consist of only one (1) dog teams.
n. After the first heat and each ensuing heat, a driver may voluntarily reduce the size of the team, subject to minimums.
7. AGE LIMITATIONS – ALL SUBJECT TO RACE MARSHAL APPROVAL
a. Pee Wee driver minimum age four (4) years old. Subject to Race Marshal approval.
b. Junior driver minimum age seven (7) years old, maximum age fourteen (14) years old. Subject to Race Marshal approval.
c. Skijoring minimum age ten (10) years old. Subject to Race Marshal approval.
d. Novice driver minimum age ten (10) years old.
Subject to Race Marshal approval.
Ten (10) to fourteen (14) year olds eligible to compete for prizes no matter how many wins.
Fifteen (15) years old and older eligible to compete for prizes until end of season after incurring three (3) wins.
e. Four dog driver minimum age fourteen (14) years old.
f. Six dog driver minimum age fifteen (15) years old.
g. Eight dog driver minimum age sixteen (16) years old.
h. Six (6) dog mid distance driver minimum age sixteen (16) years old.
i. Twelve (12) dog mid distance driver minimum age (18) years old.
B) MEDICATIONS ADMINISTERED TO DOGS - PROHIBITED DRUGS
1. THE USE OF INTERNAL MEDICINES, INJECTIONS, OR STIMULANTS to the dogs before, during, or after a race, except for medicinal purposes at the direction of a veterinarian is prohibited.
2. DRUG TESTING
a. If an organization intends to test for drugs, it shall declare so on the entry form. It is recommended that the organization use the ISDRA Drug testing procedures.
b. Whenever a specimen is requested for testing, the owner or driver shall be present (or his/her representative) and shall declare in writing to the sampling official all medications administered to the dog(s) within 72 hours preceding the start of the event.
c. If an owner or driver refuses to allow a sample to be collected from a dog, that team shall be disqualified from the event.
d. If any dog in a team shows a positive test of a non prescribed drug, that team is subject to disqualification, the decision to be made following a hearing.
C) EQUIPMENT
1.INSPECTION
a. Drivers, teams, and equipment shall be available for inspection before and after each heat at the request of the Race Marshal.
b. All equipment is subject to the approval of the Race Marshal.
2. HARNESSES and LINES
a. All dogs shall be harnessed in single or double file.
b. All team dogs shall be fastened to the gangline by a neckline and tugline. Dual leaders shall be fastened to each other by a neckline and to the gangline with a tugline.
c. A snub line may be carried on the sled but it shall not be used in any manner other than to tie down and hold the sled.
3. SLEDS
a. A sled shall be capable of adequately carrying the driver and have a basket capable of carrying a dog.
b. A sled shall be equipped with an adequate brake, brushbow and snowhook.
c. A sled shall be equipped with a dog bag adequate for the safety of the dog, capable of restraining a struggling or incapacitated dog and covering a dog. No part of the dog should be able to extend beyond the bottom, sides or back of the basket
4. SKIJORING EQUIPMENT
a. Skijoring teams must be attached via harness and towline to the skijorer’s belt, in a safe and secure manner leaving the skijors hands free of the line.
b. Line length minimum seven feet (7’) maximum twelve feet (12’) as measured from the skier’s belt buckle to the snap on the dogs harness.
c. Belt minimum width across back will be three inches (3”).
d. In the interest of safety it is recommended that there be a quick release device within arm’s length of the skijorer.
e. All team dogs shall be fastened to the gangline by a neckline and a tugline. Dual leaders shall be fastened to each other by a neckline, and to the gangline with a tugline.
5. OTHER EQUIPMENT
a. A muzzle or any collar that can be hooked as a full choke shall be prohibited.
b. A racing number for each driver shall be provided by the race-giving organization. The driver shall display this number on his person throughout the race.
c. A race-giving organization may prohibit the use of signal whips on any or all portions of the race trail. Organizations who elect this option shall declare so on the entry form.
d. Signal whip length may be limited by the race giving organization starting with a minimum of one (1 ) meter. Maximum length from butt to the end of the popper shall be stated on the entry form.
D) FINISH TIME DISQUALIFICATION (Optional)
1. A team shall be disqualified from competing in subsequent heats if its total elapsed time exceeds either 1.25 or 1.50 times the average time of the three fastest teams in the same heat of the same class.
2. All entrants shall be notified, prior to entry, if a time qualification factor is to be used, stating which factor and to which classes it shall be applied.
II START - FINISH RULES
A) DRAWING
1. The starting positions for the first heat of a race shall be determined by a drawing held prior to the race at a time and place designated by the race-giving organization.
2. The owner, driver or designated proxy of each team shall draw their own starting position. In their absence, the starting position shall be drawn by the Race Marshal or his representative.
3. The order of the draw shall not be changed, either by addition or substitution. Late entries shall be added in order of receipt.
B) SINGLE START RACE
1. The first day’s starting positions shall be determined by the draw with Number 1 starting first, Number 2 starting second, etc.
2. The second day’s starting positions shall be determined by the first day’s times, with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.
3. In races of more than two heats,
a. The total elapsed time of the previous heats shall determine the starting positions with the faster team starting first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.
b. Or, at the option of the race-giving organization, the elapsed time of the previous single heat shall determine the starting positions with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest team second, etc.
c. If the optional start ~b. above) is to apply to the race, entrants shall be notified prior to making entry, stating to which classes it shall apply.
4. If a class is broken into two (2) or more brackets, on the second day the teams stay in the same bracket, with the team with the fastest time out first, second fastest team starting second, etc..
C) GROUP START RACE
1. A group consists of two (2) or more (up to and including all) drivers starting together.
2. The first day’s starting positions shall be determined by a random draw. If the starting group consists of two (2) teams then #1 and #2 start first, #3 and #4 start second, etc. If the starting group consists of three (3) teams, #1, #2 and #3 start first, #4, #5 and #6 start second, etc.
3. Starting positions for all subsequent heats of the race shall be determined by option a. or b. below. In all cases the finishing list will be divided into groups equal to the number of teams starting together (e.g., 2 teams, 2 lists, 4 teams, 4 lists, etc.) The fastest team in each group will start first, followed by the second fastest team in each group, etc.
a. Starting positions may be determined by the elapsed time of the previous heats (one (1) or more combined).
b. Starting positions may be determined by the elapsed time of the previous single heat. In races of more than two (2) heats, entrants must be notified prior to making entry that this option will be used (notification must include to which classes it will apply).
4. When the starting group consists of all drivers entered (mass start) subsequent heats should normally have starting locations identical to the first day. At the discretion of the RGO option 3.a or 3.b. may be used.
D) EQUAL TIMES
1. For all races except those in which the starting group consists of all drivers (mass start), if the total elapsed time of two teams is identical, the order of start for those teams shall be the reverse order in which they started in the preceding heat.
2. For races in which the starting group consists of all drivers (mass start), in the case of a tie, where the first day’s starting order is not being used to determine the starting order in subsequent heats, the Race Marshal shall decide the starting position by the flip of a coin.
3. Teams with equal times for the entire race shall be awarded (share) the higher finishing position.
4. The purse for the tied place and the next lower places (s) shall be combined and divided equally among those teams tied for that place.
E) STARTING POINT AND TIME
1. The brush bow of the sled/skijorer’s ski tips shall determine the starting point of the team.
2. Trail time for all teams shall begin at the originally scheduled time of departure.
3. A team that fails to be stopped in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a late starting team.
A late-starting team shall not be allowed to start until after the last team entered in its class has started, and after the prescribed starting interval.
A late-starting team shall not interfere with any other team.
If more than one team is declared late, those teams shall start in their originally scheduled starting order.
If a team is late at the starting line for its second scheduled time of departure for any one heat, that team shall be disqualified.
4. A team not clearing the starting chute (minimum distance 100 feet for single starts, 100 yards for group starts) prior to the scheduled start of the next team may be disqualified.
F) ASSISTANCE IN THE STARTING CHUTE
1. Unless otherwise specified by the Race Marshal prior to the start of the first heat of the event:
a. Any amount or type of assistance is allowed to a team prior to the actual starting time. Once a team’s starting time has commenced, only the chute judge or officials designated to assist may help in the chute.
b. In the event of a tangle or a dogfight, unlimited help is allowed.
G) FINISH
1. A team shall have finished the heat when the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.
2. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the finish line.
3. When multiple starting chutes are used as a finishing chute a team may return on any trail.