Travelmaniac Iditarod Photos

Most dogs who race are considered to be "Alaskan Huskies". More of a lineage than a breed, the Alaskan Husky is a mixed breed that has been bred for stamina, intelligence, power, and speed. It is often a mix between the Siberian Husky and other breeds. Other strains of the Alaskan Husky include the Mackenzie River Husky, the Huslia Husky and the Aurora Husky which is one-half Siberian Husky, one-quarter wolf, and one-quarter Irish Setter.

Racing dogs usually weigh 40 to 60 pounds. In the early days of the Iditarod, dogs used in long-distance races tended to be larger, in some cases weighing as much as 70 pounds, while sprint dogs were in the 40 pound range.

The average long-distance sled dog consumes more than 11,000 calories per day when racing, compared to a diet of 2,500 calories per day in a kennel. Each dog in the race will need as much as a gallon of water per day.

On the trail, dogs eat at meal time and at snack time. Full meals are usually the mushers own personal mix, emphasizing proteins such as liver, fats, and oils. Fats and oils may come from corn oil, canola oil, fish oil, seal oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil, chicken, turkey, beef, beaver, or seal blubber. Meals are warmed before they are fed to the dogs. Snacks are fed cold to the dogs quickly while on a break. Common snacks include whitefish, salmon, herring or other fish mixed with vegetable, corn, flax, or coconut oil. Frozen snacks contains much needed water to help avoid dehydration.

Mushers prepare the dogs' food prior to the race, freeze it, and then ship the food to the checkpoints.

Lead Dog or Leader	The dog that runs in front of the team pulling the sled. Sometimes there are two dogs that run in the lead.
Swing Dogs	Dogs that run directly behind the leader. Their job is to help "swing" the team in the turns or curves.
Wheel Dogs	Dogs placed directly in front of the sled. Their job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees.
Team Dogs	Any dog other than the leader, wheel, or swing dogs.
Mush, Hike, All Right, or Let's Go	Are all commands to start the team. Mush, though frequently found in story or song is rarely used by mushers.
Whoa	Command to halt the team, accompanied by heavy pressure on the brake.
Gee	Command for right turn.
Haw	Command for left turn.
Come Gee	Command for 180-degree turn to the right.
Come Haw	Command for 180-degree turn to the left.


	All photos © Karen French