The start of new year is good for forecasts. I will give one if the tradition demands, but in the very end of this text. As I see it at the moment, another genre is much more important today: the previous forecasts analysis.
A long, long time ago, dog sleds were the main means of transportation for peoples of the North. And dogsled racing was an indispensable part of local celebrations. Besides, dogs had been used for transportation even before deer. Presently, there have appeared a number of more convenient and affordable means of transport, but dog sleds still exist and give people a ride already as an ingenious entertainment. And for some people this pastime has become a passion. They train their dogs and take part in various dogsled racing competitions held all over the world. And the number of such people is increasing.
There are various kinds of competitions, from small runs to long many-day races. The Federation of Sleddog Sports has recently appeared in Russia and, beginning from 1998, the Championship of Russia and several regional competitions have been held on a yearly basis. The Berengia Russian route in Kamchatka named after renowned traveler Bering is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest one. And the Iditarod Trail route is very popular in America. It has been functioning since 1910 and is the oldest effective route.
At first, the Siberian husky was deemed the most suitable breed for this competition. There was a time when dogs of this breed were winners of all races. But later on, preference was given to chic looks, and working qualities of the breed worsened. That is why a new breed, the Alaskan husky, was made, taking the Siberian husky as the basis, and adding the blood of hounds, greyhounds, and gun dogs. This breed is not yet officially recognized but professional sportsmen choose it for excellent working qualities, speed and stamina.
A man taking part in the races is called a musher. If races are on sleds or wheeled carts, he is called a dog driver, and if he runs after a dog skiing, a skier. Each dog in the harness takes a particular place. One or two dogs in the head are leaders. The leader must not necessarily be the strongest dog, his task is to ensure teamwork of the dogs even if they are tired.
Dogsled racing requires complete mutual understanding between the harness owner and the dogs. If dogs feel love and support of their master, they will love the race itself and rejoice participating in the competition.