There is much literature that condemns the Iditarod as an inhumane breed that kills dogs. Those who want the race to end are spreading information that can be misleading at best and inaccurate at worst.
I have worked in a dog sledding operation for the last three years. The Grizzle-T Dog & Sled Works is open to the public and runs tours for guests. We encourage people to come and meet the sled dogs and see how excited they are to do what they do. This year Grizzle-T owner Kris Hoffman will be running the Iditarod and I hope he will show the world how a musher who cares and loves his animals runs this race.
The following are some of the most popular myths surrounding the Iditarod.
Iditarod myths:
1. Sled dogs are forced to run. You can’t force a dog to run. If a dog doesn’t want to run, he will lie down and there is nothing you can do to get the dog to get up again. Anyone who has seen a team hook up knows that the problem is not making the dogs run, the problem is making them stop. These animals love what they do. Their excitement when they see the harnesses and sleds come out is palpable.
2. It is cruel to have a 16-dog sled dog team pull a sled that weighs between 400 and 450 pounds. While that sounds like a lot of weight, it comes down to about 25 pounds per animal. These dogs are much stronger than I will ever be (they are the strongest draft animals in the world pound for pound) and I have carried a pack weighing 40lbs on a 105lb frame for 13 days, 10 hours a day as minimum with a charge of 24 hours. break. In the end, my body felt great.
3. Mushers mistreat their dogs. Of course some mushers have inflicted and abused their animals and this must stop. Unfortunately, most mushers who treat their dogs well don’t make the news because they aren’t sensational enough. Most mushers have a very close relationship with their dogs and consider them family.
4. It is not possible to link with 100 or more dogs. I worked with 120 dogs for three years. I know all the dogs by name and when I worked there I spent time every day petting the dogs and bonding with them. When you’re surrounded by so many dogs, you don’t have favorites; you learn to love each dog for its own individual personality. Not only is bonding with over 100 dogs possible, it’s easy.
5. Dogs are not given names. Each of the dogs I worked with has a name and I would love to introduce them to you one day.
6. The sled dogs are sacrificed. We do not sacrifice dogs in our dog sledding operation. This is not common practice for all mushers.
7. It is cruel to make a dog pull people for our pleasure. This is similar to saying that it is cruel to make a horse carry a person. These dogs are working dogs, which means they need to have a job to do or they can become restless and self-destructive. They actually like their job unlike many humans.
8. Temperatures are too cold for dogs. These dogs live outdoors all year. They are similar to wolves and we would not assume that wolves need shelter during the winter. They have lived in subzero temperatures since sled dogs first lived with man.
9. These dogs don’t get proper care. These dogs get their nails clipped, vaccinated against rabies, dewormed regularly, brushed when they need to be fed every day, and loved. Wild animals do not need their teeth cleaned or bathed.
10. Sled dogs would be better off as pets. These dogs need to run long distances, which is why huskies have a reputation for running away from home. Most homeowners think a 20-minute walk twice a day is enough exercise. Sled dogs need several hours of exercise every day. They are pack animals and need the company of other dogs.
Look up Debunking Iditarod Myths: Part 2 to learn more about sled dogs and the Iditarod.