Feel the Spirit

Dog mushing - originally it would have been defined as driving sleddogs over snow with a sled. Today it can also mean dryland rig racing, skijoring, dog scootering, bikejoring, rollerjoring, canicross running. Mushing is an activity where a human encourages a dog or a team of dogs to run and pull something or someone on a towline - shouting out commands to turn left, right, slow down, speed up to a 'lead dog'.

Why do we mush?

Dogs live an honest life. They are wolves that evolved to live with humans. A very beneficial development - 400 million dogs safeguard their genepool across the World compared to wild wolves? The ancestors of dog's that started to live around people were survivors and opportunists. However, they are still wolves. They want to run, they want to explore, they want to hunt, and above all .... they want to really live.

Mushing taps onto those desires. We as humans also evolved to run, hunt and explore. But we've lost our way. Nothing ties you back into that spirit than a rope to a running dog. It is running with the wolf - the wolf inside us.

I WANT A SIBERIAN HUSKY FOR CHRISTMAS!

"I want a husky!" - a statement that I often hear expressed from children and adults alike as I walk Wolfy around. Not that there's anything elitist or exclusive about husky ownership - but I thought that I would make a post here about exactly 'what' living with a husky entails? Is this the best type of dog for you? Bring home a husky without being prepared for what to expect - and you may well be heading for disaster, especially for the husky - a common inmate of dog rescue sanctuaries and canine welfare centres.

All Siberian Huskies are individuals. However, most of them will conform to many (or maybe most) behaviour characteristics particular to their breed. For this reason, it is often said that huskies are not like other dogs - and in most cases (there are a few exceptions), this is true.



So what are those breed behaviour characteristics common to many huskies?

1) This is not a dog that hangs onto every word or command of it's master. This is a dog that understands what a command is .... but chooses whether or not to obey it. If you want a dog that worships your every move, then don't bring a husky home. They'll only give you the respect that you deserve, not doting, unquestioning love.

2) This is a very controversial subject, but the consensus opinion of most husky breeders, mushers, sleddog groups, and siberian husky owner clubs is that a siberian husky MUST not be allowed to run loose off leash except in very controlled conditions (i.e. a high fenced area). Yup, you've got it - if you want a dog that you can throw sticks for in the park - forget a husky, get a retriever! A husky is not safe to be let off leash/line for the following reasons:

a) As stated above, most huskies prefer NOT to obey a recall command if they know that chasing rabbits/cats is more profitable. Thats not saying that no huskies ever obey a recall command, its just that as a breed that they have a poor record at off leash recall.
b) They were literally bred to run and run. They tend to do this in a straight line away from you. While doing so, they will cross roads and railway lines. Many husky owners have had their runaway returned in a plastic sack. The worst possibility is that someone could be hurt or worse as a result of your dog crossing a busy road.
c) Prey drive. A very common behaviour characteristic of the Sibe. This is probably linked to that desire to run. Huskies like all dogs, can be socialised not to see some animals as prey. Some successfully live with cats (and later some of them eat them). I've seen photos of huskies living on a sheep farm playing with lambs! However, the common breed characteristic is to see wild-life, cats, small livestock etc as prey. The worst possible scenerio here is of your dog/s worrying livestock. Shotgun wielding farmers do not usually regard this sort of activity lightly. As well as the plastic sack, expect a bill for those injured sheep.

3) Escape artists. Some amazing stories can be found on husky forums - sibes climbing fences, digging deep tunnels, jumping from upper storey windows etc. Some huskies are incredible jumpers. Others are incredible diggers. The usual recommendation is for 7 foot high fencing, and concrete slabs around the fence footings. Bins and kennels must not be placed near to the fences. Failure to do so will result in 2 a,b,c.

4) Destroyers of furniture and property. Husky owners like to compete with photos of husky destruction. Huskies (especially young huskies) should not be left alone in a house full of nice expensive furniture. Huskies are easily bored, they need lots of exercise and stimulation. Otherwise say goodbye to your beautiful belongings.

5) As above on 2C - prey drive, many experienced husky owners recommend that you do not keep cats, rodents, rabbits, small pets with your husky. However, careful socialisation during puppyhood, and vigilant supervision, it sometimes works. But then again, all too often, it doesn't. By the way, even if your husky does accept your pet cat, it doesn't mean that it will not eat another cat. Prey drive isn't the same as aggression. Huskies as a breed tend towards non-aggression towards humans - they tend to be good household dogs, and as long as they have been properly socialised, particularly good with children and with other dogs. Prey drive is about hunting, running, and eating - not hatred, anger or fear. However, they can generate aggression in the form of angry and sometimes violent, bereaved cat owners.

6) Shedding. Huskies have an inner and outer coat - the outer acts as a rainmac, the inner coat is its thermal underwear, and this coat is decievingly dense. Moults vary dog to dog, and depending on climate and if the dog is housed indoors or outdoors. However, as a rule, an indoor dog will be constantly shedding its outer coat. As for the inner coat - it'll probably blow (a husky term for this incredible moult) once or twice per year, maybe more. Its this fur that some enterprising husky owners have sold in sacks on ebay, or spun themselves to knit into garments. Husky blow - enters the very air that you breath!

7) Diggers. Sibes do not go with lawn/garden. Many of them are diggers - sometimes even burrow diggers! Expect them to turn your dog area into a quarry.

8) Exercise. Now here is the problem. The siberian husky is bred as an endurance working dog. It needs lots of exercise, preferably some intense exercise, if it is to be kept fit, healthy, happy, and hopefully sane. This is a dog that wants to work. Failure to keep this beautiful dog exercised and stimulated will not only result in an unfit dog, but a dog with behavioural disabilities and therefore problems for you and your neighbours. However, you can't (unless you are privileged enough to live away from public, roads, and livestock, or own a very large highly fenced area) simply let your sibe off leash and chuck him/her sticks. Most of us have to provide that exercise on the end of a leash, lead, or towline. My personal journey into exploring ways of doing just that is pretty much what this blog is all about. You can provide excellent exercise to a sleddog breed dog without endangering them, road users, wild-life, cats, or livestock.

So where does this 'common behaviour' come from? The ancestors of the siberian husky were tribal village dogs in NE Siberia. They had to live in the village communities in large open landscapes without busy roads, be able to work in the cold sometimes harsh climate, and be able to carry/pull loads, often working in teams close to other dogs. According to Internet folklore, the dogs would be expected to fend for themselves for part of the year.

Then during the early 20th century, the ancestors of the huskies passed through a genetic bottleneck when they were shipped to Alaska and other parts of the USA for sleddog racing. If the breed has any common behavioural problems that seem strange to their tribal origins - then they would have probably originate at this time, when the breed was being formalised in North America. The Alaskan racers wanted dogs that run and run (and love to run) as a team without complaining, and with minimal failure or maintenance overheads. They were not breeding pet dogs that fetch sticks.

They are a beautiful and dignified breed, but please, if you are considering bringing a husky into your home, research the breed first, and consider whether this is the dog for you. Expect any husky pup to develop some of the above behavioural er ... challenges.

More on the disadvantages of the breed can be found here on the website of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain. Read carefully and think before buying/adopting.




POST NOTE: I know that not everyone agrees that the best policy for sibes is NOT to let them run loose, and to avoid leaving them alone with small livestock, but since publishing this post earlier today, I've heard two fresh stories. 1) one involved a husky being put to sleep after running off and attacking sheep - its owner previously insisted that it was safe off leash 2) this evening a neighbour told me that their young husky had just 'eaten the hamster'. Lots of new husky owners think that their new pup wont be like that - that they are just another dog like fido. Unfortunately a few misguided dog welfare groups even encorage the view that sibes are just another dog that should be able to run around free. Don't be fooled - don't have your dog returned in a plastic sack.

Latest News / Updates

Manmat Merhi harness: has so far been disappointing. I wish that I had bought the Manmat Long-distance harness instead. The Merhi is a radical design, aimed at bikejoring, dog-scootering, and canicross in particular. It removes all harness restrictions and rubbing from the dogs limbs and sides. However, it seems to place too much pressure at the top of the chest, on the dog's throat and airways - at least when Wolfy wears it. Wolfy shows signs of gasping after a run wearing his Merhi. I'm told that they were also designed with wider hounds in mind rather than long slender huskies. I'll give it more of a go with Belle before I condemn the design totally. So far - disappointing. I'm reverting more to the Nordkyn skijor harnesses and the x-backs for bikejoring.

Running Injury: Its going to be a slow recovery. Although the pain and bruising (I had black toes!) has subsided, three weeks on, and my right ankle is still swollen and tender. I'm going to rest it another few weeks before trying any cani-cross training or any cross country running.

Isn't it funny that when you are unable to do something - that you hanker for it increasingly. I'm really keen to start running again, but I'm really afraid of damaging that injured ankle further. I'm thinking about joining a local runing club, and seeing if I can participate in any mainstream club runs with the dogs.

Belle's development: Belle is now twelve months old, and Wolfy is almost three years old. We had recently had Belle neutered, and following her recovery period - she was keen as mustard to start running again! On the Walky Dog bike side attachment, she is now running and pulling harder than Wolfy! When we leave the house with the bike - Belle is jumping and yelping out in excitement (like a racing siberian husky bitch at the startline of a race - only that she is a dalmatian!). When Wolfy starts to tire and lose interest (i.e. head back home) - Belle is still pulling and running as hard as at the start - she would pull us both all the way around if we let her!

On a Walky Dog or Springer - she is great, a hard worker - not just trotting, but running and pulling hard into the harness. However, when I put her up front on the gangline with Wolfy, she usually loses focus, and frequently tries to pull out of harness, or drag behind Wolfy. Until recently anyway, but the last week or so, she has been showing signs of growing out of it - its great to see her and Wolfy running ahead shoulder to shoulder with a tight towline to the bike. I hope that by next winter that I have a good two-dog bikejor team. Team Spot-the-Husky.

November Snow

We don't see much snow here in South-east England, especially these days with climate change. If we do see it, then early February is normally the time. So it was such a treat to not only have a late snow this year at Easter, but an unusually early downfall in addition - yesterday. Ok, it wasn't very deep, and it had all thawed within 12 hours, but what a nice surprise.

I took the dogs out for a bikejor run, out along the Little Ouse Valley into Thetford Forest. The dogs were wearing their new Manmat Merhi harnesses (review to follow). As usual, Wolfy performed the best, but Belle wasn't too bad once she had enjoyed a little off leash steam (she never leaves us though). The dogs clearly enjoyed the snow, but Wolfy still needed to wade in the river for a cool down.



Scariest moment was when we came around a corner and confronted a low hanging windfall across the riverside path. I couldn't brake in the snow. The dogs went under, the bike went under, I didn't:


Coming soon - more about harnesses, reviews of the Manmat Merhi bikejor harness, and more!

Canicross Injury

Not a bikejoring injury this time - but a canicross injury. I initially injured my right ankle a month earlier, when I tried running the dogs after dark. However, with a week or so I as recovered sufficiently to enter a race. My ankle was still swollen, but what the heck.....

Then I ran the dogs at the end of last week - all was going well, when suddenly my right foot suddenly twisted and caved in. I was laying on the ground in agony, but had to limp the dogs all the way home. How come in Lassie movies, the dog is so damned caring and loyal - my mutts pulled left and right, not giving a fig about my obvious pain. Belle wanted to chase every Autumn leaf!

Don't think I'll be running for a few weeks :-

Other news: Belle is banned from working for a while, as she is recovering from a ovariohysterectomy (spaying).

What is canicross / cani-X?

In June this year I produced an article describing "what is bikejoring". I thought that I would publish an article here this time describing our favourite exercise of canicross!

CANI-CROSS: CANI = canine, dog. CROSS = cross country running, trail running.

In its most encompassing form, you could argue that anyone who goes running or jogging with their pet dog, is already canicross running. However, in its more strict form, canicross is competitive cross country (trail) running with one or two harnessed dogs attached to a padded belt worn by the runner, via an elasticated (bungee) line.

The runner: needs to be fit enough to run cross country for distances of somewhere between 2 and 21 km depending on the level that they wish to compete. However, training for canicross is an excellent way of developing fitness with your dog/s. Rather than paying out for expensive gym membership, some people are choosing to lose weight and get fit by running out in the big outdoors - even with their dogs!

The dog/s: almost any dog will do, and will both enjoy canicross, and improve their health and fitness as a result of this activity. All sorts of breeds and non-breeds are entered in events - terriers, whippets, huskies, german shepherds, border collies, cross-breeds, dalmatians, greyhounds, newfoundlands, spaniels, etc. Most clubs prohibit dogs under the age of 12 months from entering the events.

The equipment: 1) A comfortable well padded harness for the dog/s. Many people use x-back harnesses, but others prefer skijor type harnesses. As long as it is well padded and does not prevent the dog from pulling or breathing properly. 2) a canicross/skijor dog running belt. These are well padded dog exercising belts that clip around the runner. The belt should not be worn high up the waist, but as low down to the hips as possible - to prevent back damage. Some canicross belts have straps that fit around the crotch to prevent the belt riding up too high. The belts have a length of bungee (elasticated) incorporated into the clips that attach to the: 3) canicross bungee line. This can be in two sections - a line/leash and a section of strong elasticated bungee. The canicross line attaches the dog harness to the runner's belt. If running two dogs, there may be a two dog splitter line below a length of bungee line. The total length of any line should be 2 to 3 metres - however here in the UK, cani-cross.co.uk events have allow a maximum length of 2.5 metres.

If running two dogs, it may be an idea to additionally attach the dogs to each other, using a neckline between their collars.

Anything else? Dehydration is a danger. Routes should be planned that include frequent watering stops. If not, then the runner needs to carry water and a foldable water bowl. The responsible runner should also carry poo bags. If training out in the countryside alone, then the runner should notify someone where they intend to run, and carry a mobile telephone or two way radio in case of accident. It is very easy to be pulled or tripped over by your dog/s and to sustain an injury. For these reasons, if training for more than a few miles, it is sometimes an idea to carry a runner's back pack, maybe fitted with a hydro gland pack.

Runners will also wear suitable running clothing, and running shoes. Shoes that are suitable for cross country trail running can be purchased.

Environment: Dogs should not be run far or hard paved or tarmac surfaces - especially young or unfit dogs! Their paws and their limbs are delicate. They should be run over soft surfaces such as grass, dirt, and soft trails. The best cani-cross trails are those that a challenging and varied - winding paths through thick forest, tow paths, up slopes, down hills, through mud, streams, alongside fields, over heaths etc.

Weather: dogs should never be canicross run in warm or hot sunny weather! Although the dogs are only able to run human speed, they tend to work harder - they often keep a tight line and even pull their runner. Dogs can't sweat. Most canicross events are held during the cooler months.

Training the dog: Most experienced canicross dogs will lead ahead of their runner at least unless they start to tire. Therefore it is an advantage that you train the dogs to turn left, right, speed up, slow down, wait, pass other runners and dogs, or ignore game and other distractions. Most of these commands can easily be trained during training and day to day dog walking - every time that you are about to turn, issue the command to the dog until they learn its meaning. How hard do you want your dog to pull? Maybe you could try teaching your dog an easy command? Pulling up hill is great - but two dogs pulling hard over slippery surfaces?

Canicross Organisations: How cani-cross events and clubs are catered for throughout the World varies from country to country. In some countries, canicross events are hosted by dog mushing clubs who also arrange races for bikejoring, dryland rig racing - sometimes even dog-trekking competitions for any breed (or non breed) of dog.

Sled Dog Clubs here in the UK (especially south of the border), mainly cater only for KC registered sleddog breed purebreds. These sleddog clubs have started hosting canicross races alongside other dryland races, but they only allow KC registered pedigree sleddog breeds to compete!

However a couple of non-discriminatory organisations have started to host canicross events:

WWW.CANIX.CO.UK is hosting canicross only events across England and Wales. Entry is open to any breed / non breed. The events are very well organised, and are usually based on 2.5 km and 5 km classes - one or two dogs. Most events also include a have a go class for newcomers. Canix.co.uk are also now organising the Team GB entry for the EuroCaniX Championship. They are also now organising the cani-x event at the Crufts annual dog show, and the Neolithic Cani-Cross at Stonehenge, which includes a half marathon 21 km class!

TRAIL RUNNERS are also organising a number of canicross events, and are keen to assist others to set up local groups.

The Dogs Bits - Our Latest Bikejor Videos

I made these two videos a few days ago, on one of our regular local adventures. Not our best - I used two cameras, with one mounted on the steering column above the bike antenna, and another mounted on a tripod to capture a few ride-passes. Unfortunately the camera suffered from some pretty bad shake whilst mounted onto the bike. Next time I might try mounting it on a bike helmet again, a shame because I liked the low angle of the bike mount. It might work on smoother trails.

I was also disappointed with Youtube's level of compression on these two videos. The videos are both backed by Open Source music released by the artist Sungod Abscondo on a free to share license. The video's also record my stubby little dalmatian, Belle in action. Belle is a funny little dog. She doesn't want to run upfront pulling in harness, but she is quite happy to pull in harness if mounted to the side of the bike via a Walky Dog attachment. However, she is at her best running freestyle off leash by the bike (or when I'm canicross running with Wolfy) - she encourages Wolfy to run and pull harder. My spotty little carriage dog.

Enjoy (despite camera shakes and Youtube over-compression):

Sherwood Pines Canicross 2008

We entered this event today - our second cani-X race in two weeks. The event was as usual hosted by www.canix.co.uk, and this time took place on Forestry Commission land at the Sherwood Pines Venue, north of Mansfield, Notts. I was a little concerned about entering this event, as I was recovering from a bad case of muscle soreness following a recent weight training session! I hadn't been able to train all week. On top of this, Wolfy had a cough earlier in the week. However both of us recovered from our ailments in time - mine just in time!

Weather forecast suggested that it was going to be yet another warm sunny Autumn day - nice for us naked apes, not so nice for the canines. We had a long journey ahead of us, so it was to be an early start for us.

We left Norfolk at 6 AM and drove across the Midlands some 160 miles in order to reach the event in time for the induction at 9:30 AM. What happened to the sun? Instead it was foggy, and then wet, cloudy, and drizzly. Checking out the entries, I could see that we had some tough competition in our class. We picked up the No 28 bib.

At around 10:35 AM, we were started off. Wolfy was very excited, and burst into action, dragging the bald old man behind him. First section was through trees - some of which we tangled around. However, we soon made up the time, and we soon passed several other competitors. Wolfy was loping ahead on the line, while I kept telling myself to slow down and conserve energy. The 5 km trail wound itself around the pine compartments. Hillier than I'm use to back home, but the slopes really were not too steep. There was some mud, but again, nothing at all serious - shame really! All in all, the trail was pretty, undulating, but otherwise quite similar to our regular training areas back in Thetford Forest.

I seemed to lack concentration, and a couple of times took wrong turns - but each time quickly corrected myself. The worse moment came when Wolfy spotted horses and a carriage on a parallel track! He kept trying to pull off the trail towards after them - but he soon gave up.

Eventually the Finish line came into sight and we sprinted for it. Our time - 21 minutes, 10 seconds. Our best time yet for a 5 km canicross event! However, it wasn't good enough for this competition. No rosette this time - we came sixth out of our class of 12 competitors. None-the-less, another good day. the sun even came out briefly for prize giving! The Forestry Commission were organising a dog owners day around the race, so we stopped a little while to watch the agility competitions - then it was time for the long trip home.