Dog Sledding

Sled Dog Racing Queensland Inc. offers training, recreational and competitive Dryland mushing and sled dog sports events in South East Queensland

Bikejor

Bikejor is the other of the more modern sled dog sports classes and is also a “mono-sport”. In Bikejor a single dog is harnessed and attached via a bungee leash (2.5-3m) to a rider on a Mountain bike (to the bike frame or to a Canicross belt on the rider). An antenna is a great addition to help guide your bungee line away from the wheel, but not essential. Bikejor is great for confident dogs with a high drive that love to run FAST! Your dog should run out front of your mountain bike and pull you along as you pedal to achieve the greatest speeds.

As with all sled dog sports, it is critical that you train your dog to understand your commands well but especially in Bikejor as it is easier for your dog to pull you off balance. Training commands should begin before you step foot on a bike. Because you are better able to assist your dog in Bikejor via pedalling, it can suit a wide range of dog breeds. Bikejor is split into Men’s and Women’s classes at Sled Dog Racing Queensland. In bikejor Human and Dog run 2 heats of around 3.5-5 km per event and is a pretty intense work out if done correctly.

Canicross

Canicross is one of the more modern derivatives of sled dog sports and is known as a “Mono-Sport”; that is 1 person and 1 dog teams. In Canicross the human wears a specialised Canicross belt, these belts are thick and sit over the hip/bottom area. They attach to a bungee leash between 2-3m which attaches to the dog’s mushing harness.

Canicross describes the sport of cross country running with your dog. The idea is, that using the specialised gear described above the dog runs and pulls infront of the runner who guides him/her with verbal cues, when the runner is mid stride the dogs pulling action will lengthen the stride and cover more ground. Many comparisons have been done and a runner with a well trained Canicross dog will run a much faster time with their dog then without!

Any breed can Canicross and do very well! This discipline really highlights the human fitness level in order to do well. It is likely Canicross originated simply from on foot and offseason training with sled dogs and is still an excellent base for training all dogs to enjoy and understand sled dog sports.

Canicross is split into multiple category’s at Sled Dog Racing Queensland including Men’s, Women’s, Junior and Peewee classes. In the adult classes Human and Dog run 2 heats of around 2-3km per event. Canicross is the only class where your dog can participate in another class at the same event (eg Scooterjor or Bikejor).

Scooterjor

If you are just starting out, Scooterjor is the best place to start (after Canicross). Scooters (Kick bikes) are much more stable and easier to handle if you are new to the sport and have an enthusiastic canine. In scooter classes you can run with 1 or 2 dogs, like Bikejor 1 (or 2) dogs are harnessed and attached to the scooter frame via a single (or double) bungee leash between 1.8-3m long. An antenna is a great addition to help guide your bungee line away from the wheel, but not essential.

At Sled Dog Racing Queensland Scooter classes include Novice (a dog or musher in their first year), Veterans (dogs over the age of 7yrs), Juniors and Pee wees (kids under 16) and 1 or 2 Dog Open classes. In 1 dog, Junior, Veterans and Novice scooterjor classes dogs usually run 2 heats of 2.5-3.5 km, and in 2 Dog classes from 3.5-5km. If you have more than one dog, you must run at least a few races with a single dog confidently before you can compete with a 2 dog team.

Rig and Cart

If you have 3 or more physically matched dogs you might want to try rig classes, at Sled Dog Racing Queensland this is usually 4 Dog (3-4 Dogs), 6 Dog (5-6 Dogs) and 8 Dog (7-8 Dogs). Rigs are a 3 wheeled scooter like vehicle and a cart usually refers to a 4 wheeled vehicle, if running more then 4 dogs, a cart is generally recommended (or required if an International Federation of Sleddog Sports sanctioned event (IFSS)). Rig and cart classes generally run 2 heats of 5-10km depending on conditions and the number of dogs.

You will need a rig or cart, gang line to suit your team, a team bungee and of course you dogs’ harnesses and neck lines. Running teams is a challenging training task and should be worked on gradually, with dogs that already know the task at hand. There are many things to consider when running teams and several different roles your dog can take on (not all dogs will competently or happily take on every role within a sled dog team). If you think you would like to run a team, we encourage you to seek a mentor running a team within the club to learn from and start your dog’s training on foot and using a scooter before trying the rig/cart.

“Sled sports are generally defined by dryland sledding in summer and mushing or sledding in winter.

Dryland sledding or gig racing typically comprises dog teams towing scooters for one or two dogs, rigs or carts for three dogs or more. Bikejor with an MTB or mountain bike and canicross you ride or run with dogs in harness. "Mushing" is a term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs. It includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land. "

(Wikipedia 2014)

Getting started

You are welcome to a club meet which can be found on the calendar to check it out. A try out is best done at a training event, expo day or scootcamp weelend. When you first attend a club meet, seek out a club member easily identified in a club shirt and they will direct you to a committee member. They will brief you on activities and guide you as required.

Inquiries to info@sdrq.org.au

More information on SDRQs Facebook page

Parking in the forests

When parking your car always pull over to the side of the road, avoid getting too close to other dogs and allow a good distance between your vehicle and any tracks we may be using.

What to bring

2L of water per dog per event
A way to secure your dog while unsupervised
A fixed or limited slip collar (full choke and prong collars not accepted)
When staying overnight, food and refreshments for yourself and your dog
Camping gear (if required)
Torch and/or headlight for moving round in the dark
Warm clothes/change of clothes and wet weather gear just in case!

What we can lend you when you're starting out

At an event

Always ask an owner’s permission before approaching another dog.
Your dog should be restrained at all times on leads or stake outs.
Dogs on stake out or attched to trailer and cars should be on short drops.
Children are welcome at events but should be appropiately instructed.
When parking and setting up be mindful of space around for other dogs and gear.
State forests have particular requirements. No rubbish, no dog poop, no smoking etc.
Always pick up after your dog and take your rubbish with you.
Check your gear to avoid breakages and failures during events.

Basic gear

Dog harness

Dog sledding harnesses are longer than other types and feature a padded chest assembly and a tug loop at the base of the tail to attache to the gang line.

Bike, scooter, rig

You will need a bike, scooter, rig or just youself to go sledding. Most start with a mountain bike or scooter unless you are a running and canicross is your thing.

Line, gang line

The line or gang line attaches your dog to you . A snap hook attches to the harness tug and a carabeena to you, your bike, scooter or rig.

Stake out line

A stake and steel cable drop lines are used to secure your dog at events. The drop lines can alternateively be clipped to a trailer or vehicle. Leads are not as reliable.

Lighting

Lighting is essential for running at night and some mornings. Good quality bike and helmet lights which illuminate at least 5-10m of visibility are ideal.

Safety kit

A safety kit is required and should contain a spare line or lead, safety scissors, poo bags and carabeena. A mobile phone and very basic first aid is suggested.