Dog Sledding Basics

Everything You Need to Know About the Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Sarah · April 18, 2025 ·

Each March, teams of sled dogs and mushers set out across Alaska on one of the most demanding races in the world. Over the course of roughly 1,000 miles, they travel frozen rivers, mountain passes, tundra, and sea ice on their way to the finish line in Nome.

The race is called the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and for more than fifty years it has captured the imagination of people around the world.

But while many people have heard of the Iditarod, far fewer understand how the race actually works. How far do teams travel each day? How do mushers care for their dogs along the trail? And what does it really take to finish one of the most challenging races on Earth?

At Turning Heads Kennel, the Iditarod isn’t just something we follow — it’s part of our lives. Between our kennel and the mushers we’ve supported, 17 Iditarod teams have run from Turning Heads Kennel. My partner Travis has competed in the race 12 times, I’ve completed two Iditarods myself, and we’ve helped several other mushers reach the finish line in Nome.

That experience gives us a close view of the race from the inside: the preparation, the strategy, and the deep partnership between mushers and their dogs.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the Iditarod — from the route and checkpoints to the strategy that helps teams succeed.

What is the Iditarod Sled Dog Race?

The Iditarod is a 1,000-mile sled dog race across Alaska, run each March from Anchorage to Nome. While often described as a race, it is better understood as an endurance expedition—one that tests long-term decision-making, dog care, and the strength of the partnership between musher and team.

Teams travel through remote terrain where weather, trail conditions, and fatigue all have to be managed over time. Success is not determined by speed alone, but by how well a musher manages energy, rest, and the health of their dogs over the course of the race.

Today, the Iditarod stands as both a competitive event and a cultural tradition, rooted in Alaska’s history of dog-powered travel.

Why the Iditarod Matters (Even If You’re Not Racing It)

For most people, the Iditarod isn’t something they’ll ever race—but understanding it changes how you experience dog sledding in Alaska.

What you see in a short tour or a kennel visit is shaped by the same principles that define the race: breeding, training, teamwork, and care. The Iditarod is simply the most visible expression of a much deeper system that exists year-round.

When you understand that, dog sledding stops feeling like a novelty—and starts to feel like a living, working tradition.

Iditarod Race Overview: Key Insights and Details

The Origins of the Iditarod: Preserving the Legacy of Sled Dogs

More Than the 1925 Serum Run

The Iditarod is often associated with the 1925 Serum Run—also known as the “Great Race of Mercy”—but the connection is often misunderstood.

In January of 1925, the town of Nome faced a diphtheria outbreak with limited medical supplies and no way to receive help by air due to extreme weather. In response, a relay of dog sled teams was organized to transport lifesaving serum nearly 700 miles from Nenana to Nome.

Over the course of just five and a half days, more than 20 mushers and their teams carried the serum across some of the harshest terrain and conditions Alaska could offer. The final leg into Nome was led by Gunnar Kaasen and his lead dog Balto, whose name would later become widely recognized. Other teams—most notably Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog Togo—covered some of the most difficult and dangerous portions of the route.

The Serum Run Connection—What It Actually Means

The Serum Run remains one of the most powerful examples of what dog teams were capable of—not just in terms of endurance, but in their role as a lifeline for remote communities.

But while the Iditarod passes through portions of that historic trail and draws inspiration from that era, it was not created specifically to recreate or commemorate the Serum Run.

Instead, it was created to preserve the broader tradition of dog mushing itself. The Iditarod ensures that the skills behind that story are still practiced today

A Way of Life at Risk: Dog Sledding on the Decline

In the early 20th century, dog sledding was not a sport—it was transportation. It connected communities, delivered mail and supplies, and allowed people to move across vast stretches of Alaska that were otherwise inaccessible.

But as airplanes and snowmachines became more common, that way of life began to fade.

By the 1960s and early 1970s, there was a growing concern that sled dogs—and the knowledge required to work with them—could be lost. What had once been essential was becoming obsolete.

The question wasn’t just how to remember dog mushing: it was how to keep it alive.

The Vision to Preserve It

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was created as a response to that moment.

Founders like Joe Redington Sr., Dorothy “Dolly” Medley, and Dan Seavey Sr. shared a common goal: to ensure that dog mushing remained a living tradition, not just a historical footnote.

They didn’t just want to tell stories about the past—they wanted to create something that required the same skills, the same partnership, and the same resilience that had always defined travel by dog team in Alaska.

The race became that vehicle.

The First Iditarod and What It Represented

The inaugural Iditarod was run in 1973—but at the time, it wasn’t entirely clear what the race would become, or even if it was truly possible in its modern form.

Organizers and mushers were attempting something that hadn’t been done in decades: traveling the length of the historic Iditarod Trail with dog teams, across remote terrain that had largely fallen out of regular use. There were real questions about logistics, trail conditions, and whether teams could successfully complete the route as envisioned.

What emerged was something far more significant than a simple race.

The first winner, Dick Wilmarth, completed the course in just over 20 days—a stark contrast to the 8–10 day finishes we see today. That time difference reflects not just changes in speed, but the evolution of the sport itself: improved training, nutrition, equipment, and a deeper understanding of how to manage a team over long distances.

From the beginning, the Iditarod was more than a competition. It was a statement—that dog sledding still had a place in Alaska, and that the knowledge, discipline, and connection between musher and dog team still mattered.

It also reconnected the modern world to the historic Iditarod Trail, a route that had once been a vital corridor for travel and communication across the state.

Why the Iditarod Endures

What the founders created wasn’t just a race—it was a way to keep dog mushing in practice.

The same decisions still matter. How you manage a team. How you read conditions. When you push and when you don’t.

Every year, teams train and travel using those same fundamentals. The environment hasn’t changed, and neither has what it demands from the dogs or the musher.

That’s what gives the Iditarod its meaning. It’s not about looking back—it’s about continuing a sacred tradition and honoring the relationship between a musher and their team.

Strip everything else away, and it’s still the same equation: a musher, a team of dogs, and the elements. What carries a team through isn’t just conditioning—it’s the trust between them, built over time and tested on the trail.

That’s what gives the Iditarod its meaning—not looking back, but continuing something that still works. On the trail, that shows up in the simplest way: it starts with the team itself.

Travis at the finish of the Ceremonial start of the 2018 Iditarod. Here he is loving on Blue and her aunt Gremlin. — Travis at the finish of the Ceremonial start of the 2018 Iditarod. Here he is loving on Blue, the youngest dog in the team, and her aunt Gremlin, one of the oldest dogs in the team.

Understanding an Iditarod Team: The Musher and Their Dogs

At the center of every Iditarod team is a relationship.

It’s built over time—through daily training, learning how each dog moves, responds, and fits into the team. By the time a team reaches the starting line, that relationship is what everything else depends on.

An Iditarod team is made up of a musher and up to 16 dogs, but it doesn’t function as a single unit in the way people often imagine. Each dog has a role, a personality, and a place within the team.

The musher is responsible for guiding that system—making decisions about pace, rest, and how the team is managed over the course of the race. But they’re not simply “in control.” The team only works if the dogs are engaged, responsive, and working together.

Most Iditarod dogs are Alaskan Huskies, bred specifically for endurance and efficiency. Within the team, different dogs take on different roles. Lead dogs set direction and respond to commands. Swing dogs help guide the team through turns. Team dogs provide the steady pull that keeps the sled moving, and wheel dogs—closest to the sled—handle the heaviest load.

Each position matters, but more importantly, how those dogs work together matters.

The Sled Dogs: The Athletes at the Center of the Race

Mushers may be the visible face of the Iditarod, but the race is carried by the dogs.

Teams start with up to 16 dogs, most of them Alaskan Huskies bred specifically for distance racing. They are not bred for appearance or pedigree. They are bred for the traits that matter on the trail: endurance, efficiency, appetite, toughness, and the mental desire to keep traveling.

A good sled dog wants to run. That drive matters. These dogs are at their best when they are moving down the trail as part of a team.

They also have to eat well.

That is more important than many people realize. Racing dogs burn an enormous amount of energy, and they have to keep replacing it if they are going to stay strong over the course of the race. A dog that won’t eat can become a problem quickly.

And unlike many house dogs, sled dogs often won’t simply eat whatever is put in front of them. Good eaters are valuable, and helping young dogs learn to eat consistently in training and race conditions is part of building a successful team.

But even those traits are not enough on their own.

The team only works when the relationship works. A musher has to understand how each dog travels, eats, recovers, and fits into the group. And the dogs have to trust the person asking them to keep going.

When that comes together, the team moves as one. That’s when you see what these dogs are really capable of.

Iditarod Team Size Changes Throughout the Race

A team can start the Iditarod with up to 16 dogs, but it rarely finishes with that same number.

As the race unfolds, mushers have the option to leave dogs at checkpoints—but once a dog is out, they’re out. There’s no swapping or adding dogs back in.

That decision isn’t taken lightly.

Every dog is evaluated constantly—how they’re moving, how they’re eating, how they recover after a run. Sometimes a dog is dealing with a minor soreness. Sometimes they’re just not traveling the way they should. And sometimes, they’re simply not having their best race.

In those moments, the decision is straightforward: that dog stays.

Leaving a dog at a checkpoint isn’t a failure—it’s part of managing a team over distance. The goal isn’t to get every dog to Nome. The goal is to take care of the team in front of you, day by day, and make decisions that hold up over time.

Veterinarians are present at checkpoints, and dogs that are dropped are cared for and transported safely. But the decision itself comes from the musher, based on what they’re seeing on the trail.

Over the course of the race, the team often gets smaller—but ideally, it gets stronger in how it moves together.

The Musher’s Responsibility: Care and Feeding of the Dog Team

On the Iditarod, there’s no separation between racing and care.

The same person making decisions about pace and movement is also responsible for every aspect of the dogs’ well-being—feeding, watering, resting, and monitoring how each dog is holding up as the race progresses.

At checkpoints, the work shifts quickly. Dogs are bedded down on straw, and the next priority is getting them fed and hydrated. That often means melting snow for water, preparing meals, and making sure each dog is eating the way they should.

You’re watching everything.

How they stand up after a rest. How they eat. How quickly they settle. Small changes matter, and over the course of the race, those details add up.

There’s no one else managing that for you. Every decision—when to run, when to rest, how long to stay—is tied directly to how the dogs are doing.

That responsibility isn’t separate from the race—it is the race.

When Does the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Take Place?

The Iditarod is held each year in early March, with the ceremonial start taking place on the first Saturday of the month.

That timing is intentional. March typically offers the most stable winter conditions across Alaska—enough snow coverage for travel, while still allowing teams to move efficiently over long distances.

How Long Is The Iditarod Sled Dog Race?

The race covers roughly 1,000 miles across Alaska, beginning in Willow and finishing in Nome. The exact distance varies slightly depending on the route used each year and how the trail is put in, but it consistently spans some of the most remote terrain in the state.

Outside of the start, the trail is off the road system. Once teams leave Willow, they travel through a network of remote villages and wilderness, accessible only by air, snowmachine, or dog team.

That remoteness is part of what defines the race. There’s no infrastructure beyond what exists in those communities—no shortcuts, no easy exits—just the trail and the decisions made along it.

How Long Does Racing the Iditarod Take?

Today, most teams finish the race in 8 to 15 days, depending on conditions, strategy, and how the team holds up over time—a significant shift from the 20+ days it took in the early years of the race.

Weather can change quickly, and trail conditions vary from year to year. More than anything, finishing time reflects how well a musher manages their team across the full distance—balancing movement, rest, and recovery.

For many teams, reaching Nome is the goal. Not every musher enters with the expectation of winning, but completing the race requires the same level of care, decision-making, and commitment from start to finish.

The Official vs. Ceremonial Start

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicks off with two distinct starts: the ceremonial start and the official start. While both are essential parts of the race, they serve different purposes and are celebrated in unique ways.

The Ceremonial Start: A Celebration of Alaska’s Heritage

The ceremonial start takes place in downtown Anchorage, typically on the first Saturday of March.

It’s a public event—part sendoff, part celebration—where people can see the teams up close before they head out onto the trail. Mushers and dog teams line up through the city streets, are introduced to the crowd, and run a short stretch through Anchorage. It’s not timed, and it doesn’t count toward the race.

For the dogs, it’s a chance to move, take in the noise and energy, and get into that working mindset. For spectators, it’s one of the few places you can stand right next to a team and see how it all comes together. Teams travel approximately 11 miles before this run finishes.

But it’s important to understand what it isn’t. The ceremonial start doesn’t reflect the conditions of the race itself. It’s controlled, accessible, and short. What follows out on the trail is very different.

The Iditarod Official Start in Willow

The official start takes place the following day in Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage.

This is where the race actually begins.

Teams leave the starting line in staggered intervals, and once they’re on the trail, everything changes. The crowds fall away, the structure of the ceremonial start disappears, and it becomes about managing the team in real conditions.

From that point on, every decision matters.

Checkpoints Along the Iditarod Trail

Once teams leave Willow, the race unfolds from checkpoint to checkpoint.

Most are located in small, remote villages, while a few are temporary camps set up along the trail. These are the only structured points in the race—where teams stop, rest, and regroup before continuing on.

What Happens at an Iditarod Checkpoint

When a musher arrives at a checkpoint, several things happen in quick succession.

First, the musher must officially check in. Volunteers record the arrival time, which becomes the team’s official checkpoint time.

From there, the musher decides whether they will: stop and rest or continue directly through the checkpoint

If the musher plans to leave immediately, veterinarians will quickly examine the dogs to ensure they are healthy and fit to continue. Veterinary oversight is a constant throughout the race. In 2026, 45 veterinarians volunteered along the trail, working at checkpoints to monitor dog health and support teams as they move through. Their role is ongoing—they evaluate dogs, track any changes, and help ensure teams are traveling in a way that supports long-term health.

At the same time, the musher collects supplies from their drop bags and loads fresh straw into the sled for bedding on the trail.

If the team is stopping to rest, the process becomes much more involved.

The musher will park the team in a designated area and set snow hooks to secure the sled. Then they begin the series of chores that make up checkpoint life.

One of the first priorities is caring for the dogs.

Mushers spread straw on the ground to create temporary beds for the team, lifting the dogs off the snow and helping them conserve heat. Many mushers also start by offering clear water, since hydration is critical for recovery.

Next comes preparing food.

Water is heated on a stove to create warm meals for the dogs. While the water heats, the musher removes the dogs’ booties, loosens their tuglines so they can relax, and begins preparing the next meal.

Efficiency is important during this time.

Sled dogs generally need about three to four hours of rest to recover from a run. During that same period, the musher must:

bed the dogs down
cook food
feed and water the team
reorganize gear
repair equipment
prepare the next run
and hopefully eat and sleep themselves

In reality, sleep for mushers often comes in short bursts — sometimes only 15 or 20 minutes before it’s time to get back up and prepare the team to leave. The race is run between checkpoints—but it’s managed within them.

Drop Bags and Race Preparation

Before the race begins, mushers ship their gear and supplies ahead to the checkpoints. Because teams cannot carry everything they need for 1,000 miles, these drop bags allow them to access food, equipment, and other supplies along the route.

In total, many teams ship 1,500 to 2,200 pounds of supplies before the race.

The majority of that weight is dog food.

Sled dogs burn enormous amounts of calories during the race, and keeping them properly fueled is essential for maintaining strength and health across the full distance. Mushers also send additional gear such as:

booties for the dogs
extra clothing and equipment
food for themselves

Even though most mushers enter the race with a general strategy, conditions on the trail can change quickly. Weather, trail conditions, and how the dogs are feeling can all alter a race plan. Because of that, mushers typically send extra supplies to allow for flexibility.

The race is run between checkpoints—but it’s managed within them.

And how those decisions play out depends on where you are on the trail.

The People Behind the Race

One part of the Iditarod that isn’t always visible is how much of the race is supported by volunteers.

Checkpoints are staffed by people who travel into remote communities and stay for days or weeks to help the race run. They record times, assist mushers, support veterinarians, and help keep things moving.

Trail breakers go ahead of the race, putting in the trail and marking the route. Without that work, teams wouldn’t have a path to follow.

Veterinarians, many of whom volunteer their time, monitor the health of the dogs at checkpoints throughout the race.

Most of this happens out of sight.

Once the race begins, mushers and their teams are moving through a system that has already been put in place—one that depends on a large number of people working in the background to make the race possible.

Iditarod Race Routes

Phase One: The Alaska Range and the Early Miles

The first third of the race carries teams through the Alaska Range—one of the most iconic and demanding sections of the trail. This is where the terrain immediately starts asking questions of the team.

This stretch includes features like the Happy River Steps, the Dalzell Gorge, and the Burn.

Leading into this section, much of the trail has been a steady climb. Teams are gradually gaining elevation as they work their way toward the Finger Lake and then Rainy Pass checkpoint, and that effort builds in a way that isn’t always obvious in the moment but shows up later if it’s not managed carefully.

The Happy River Steps are a series of three steep descents found just after leaving the Finger Lake Checkpoint that require careful sled handling and controlled movement so the team doesn’t overrun the sled. It’s less about speed and more about control.

After the Steps, teams continue climbing into Rainy Pass. Teams often will rest here or just outside the checkpoint before dropping into the Dalzell Gorge—a narrow, winding section that carries the trail downhill after that long climb. The Gorge can be unpredictable depending on snow and ice conditions, and there’s very little room for error. It demands focus from both the musher and the team.

The Burn is a section of exposed terrain left from a past wildfire. With fewer trees, it offers little protection from wind and often lacks consistent snow coverage. It’s also not uncommon to encounter herds of bison moving through the area, which adds another layer of unpredictability. This section of the trail can be incredibly cold too.

All of this comes early—and that’s what makes it significant.

This is where the foundation is built. How a team moves through this section—how hard they push, how they recover, and how they come out the other side—has a lasting impact on the rest of the race.

You’re not trying to gain ground here. You’re setting the team up for what’s ahead.

Phase Two: From Ophir to the Yukon — Positioning the Race

The second phase of the race begins in Ophir, where the trail splits to either the northern or southern route. In general, the southern route is often considered more difficult. It receives less traffic. Both routes eventually reconnect at Kaltag, where teams head west toward the Bering Sea coast and the final stretch of trail along the coast to Nome.

Northern Route (even-numbered years)

Cripple → Ruby → Galena → Nulato → Kaltag

Southern Route (odd-numbered years)

Iditarod → Shageluk → Anvik → Grayling → Eagle Island → Kaltag

But this phase of the race, from Ophir onwards marks a demanding stretch of trail and by this point in the race, any early mistakes in how a team was managed begin to show.

Once teams reach the Yukon River, travel often becomes faster and more consistent. These are well-established routes used by local communities, and the trail is typically more packed in than what teams have seen earlier in the race.

This is where teams can move. And because of that, this section becomes about positioning.

Mushers are more aware of where they sit relative to other teams, and there’s a natural tendency to start making moves. But it still requires discipline—pushing too hard here can take more out of a team than it gives back. The biggest strategic decision at this point of the race is where to take their mandatory 8-hour layover which has to be done on one of the Yukon River checkpoints.

For teams looking to compete, they need to be in position to race by Kaltag. Not necessarily leading, but close enough to respond when the race tightens in the final stretch.

Phase Three: The Coast — Where the Race Unfolds

The final phase of the race begins as teams reach Unalakleet and the Bering Sea coast.

The run into Unalakleet is a long stretch—roughly 85 miles out of Kaltag—and it’s not an easy one. Leaving the Yukon River basin, the trail climbs through a series of hills before emerging onto the tundra. That section is known for moguls, and is hard on teams, especially this far into the race.

Once out on the coast, everything opens up.

There’s less protection from terrain, and conditions can change quickly. Wind becomes a constant factor—shaping the trail, reducing visibility, and adding resistance that teams have to push through. Storms can move in fast, and when they do, there’s not much to break them.

Teams also travel stretches of sea ice, where the surface isn’t always consistent. It can shift, drift, or harden depending on conditions, and it requires attention—especially this late in the race.

The trail along the coast can be uneven, wind-affected, and constantly changing. It’s another place where conditions, more than anything else, dictate how the teams move and how they rest.

The hills along the coast are some of the toughest in the race—not because they’re extreme, but because everything starts to add up.

And by this point, everything shows.

How a team was managed early. How they moved through the middle miles. What was conserved—and what wasn’t.

This is where the race unfolds.

Teams that were built carefully continue to move with purpose. Others start to fade. Gaps form, positions change, and what looked close earlier in the race begins to separate.

There aren’t many places left to hide mistakes.

The Final Miles: White Mountain to Nome

Before the final push to Nome, every team is required to take an 8-hour rest at White Mountain. It’s the last reset.

By this point in the race, the field is spread out, and most of the decisions have already been made. The rest at White Mountain gives teams a chance to recover, regroup, and prepare for the final stretch.

From there, it’s roughly 77 miles to Nome. Teams will generally do this final run in a single push.

The terrain is exposed, and conditions along the coast can still shift quickly. Wind becomes a factor again, and sections of the trail—like the Blowhole—are known for it. The Blowhole has ended more than one race—and in some years, it’s changed how the finish plays out. Known for strong winds, it can slow teams down or make forward progress difficult.

It’s a good example of why energy management matters. When you hit a section like that late in the race, you don’t get to adjust much—you rely on what the team has left.

There’s a clarity to this final run. There’s no more strategy shifts, no more positioning. Just a musher, a team of dogs, and the trail into Nome, trying to get there as fast as possible.

Some teams arrive with momentum. Others are grinding through those last miles. But every team that makes it this far has managed something over distance—through terrain, conditions, and the accumulation of decisions made along the way.

Crossing the finish line isn’t a single moment—it’s the result of everything that came before it.

Adapting to Conditions: How the Race Changes

One of the realities of the Iditarod is that the trail isn’t fixed.

Each year, the route is shaped by conditions—snowpack, weather patterns, and, at times, broader external factors. While the race follows a general corridor from Willow to Nome, adjustments are sometimes necessary to ensure teams can travel safely and fairly.

In recent years, those adjustments have become more visible.

In 2021, the race was run as the Gold Loop—starting near Willow, traveling out to the Iditarod checkpoint, and looping back. That change was driven by the need to limit interaction with communities during COVID, but it also showed how adaptable the race can be when required.

More recently, low snow conditions have forced changes to the start location. In 2025, the race moved to Fairbanks, adding distance and altering how teams approached the early miles. It wasn’t the first time that decision had been made, and it likely won’t be the last.

These changes don’t alter what the race is—but they do change how it’s run.

The terrain, the sequence of checkpoints, and the way teams manage their dogs can all shift depending on the route. And that’s part of the challenge.

The Iditarod isn’t a fixed course—it’s a moving one, shaped each year by the conditions in front of it.

What Most People Don’t Realize About the First 300 Miles

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Iditarod is that it’s won at the end of the race. In reality, it’s often shaped in the first 300 miles.

Early decisions determine how a team will hold up later—how muscles recover, how dogs metabolize energy, and how fatigue accumulates. Teams that push too hard early may look strong on paper, but can pay for it days later.

Experienced mushers are often thinking far beyond the moment—they’re building toward the second half of the race from the very beginning.

Mandatory Rest in the Iditarod: A Key to Strategy and Dog Care

The Iditarod isn’t just about how fast you move—it’s about how you use your rest.

Built into the race are mandatory layovers that every team must take. These aren’t optional, and they play a central role in how a musher plans the race.

Rather than slowing teams down, these rests create structure. Mushers have to decide where to take them and how to use them in a way that supports their team over the full distance.

Because of that, rest isn’t separate from strategy—it is strategy.

180308 1X4956 — Travis Beals packs his sled by headlamp as he prepares to leave the Takotna checkpoint during his 24-hour layover on Thursday, March 8th during the 2018 Iditarod Sled Dog Race — Alaska Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The 24-Hour Layover

Every team is required to take a 24-hour layover—but where you take it is one of the most important decisions in the race.

It’s the longest reset a team will get, and it comes at a point where the early miles have started to add up. Dogs are recovering from the Alaska Range, and how they come out of this rest can shape the rest of the race.

Most teams take their 24 somewhere between McGrath, Takotna, and Ophir—roughly 300 to 400 miles in.

The choice isn’t random.

Each location comes with tradeoffs—trail conditions ahead, where other teams are positioned, and how your team is traveling at that moment. Some teams take it earlier to protect what they have. Others push a bit farther before stopping, depending on how the race is unfolding for them.

You’re not just choosing where to rest—you’re choosing how to set up the second half of your race.

And how a team looks coming out of the 24 often tells you a lot about how they’ll hold up later.

The Yukon River 8-Hour Rest

In addition to the 24-hour layover, every team must take an 8-hour rest at a checkpoint along the Yukon River. On paper, it’s a required stop. In practice, it’s a strategic one.

By the time teams reach the Yukon, they’ve moved through the Alaska Range and into the middle phase of the race. Travel along the river is often faster and more consistent, and this is where teams begin to settle into a rhythm—or start to feel the effects of earlier decisions.

Where and when you take this 8 matters.

Some mushers use it to break up the Yukon and maintain a steady flow. Others time it around other teams, using it to manage position without overextending their own. It’s one of the few places in the race where you can influence both recovery and race dynamics at the same time.

The rest itself is straightforward—dogs are fed, watered, and given time to recover—but the timing around it is what makes the difference.

On the northern route, this rest can be taken in Ruby, Galena, Nulato, or Kaltag. On the southern route, it can be taken in Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling, Eagle Island, or Kaltag.

You’re not just stopping because you have to—you’re deciding how that stop fits into the way your team is moving.

8-Hour Layover at White Mountain

The final mandatory rest is an 8-hour layover at White Mountain, the last checkpoint before Nome.

By the time teams reach White Mountain, most of the race has already been decided. The miles have added up, and what’s left in the team is largely a result of how they’ve been managed up to that point.

This rest isn’t about resetting the race—it’s about preparing for the final run.

Dogs are fed, watered, and given a chance to recover, but the focus is simple: how does the team look right now, and what are they capable of over the last miles into Nome?

There’s not much left to adjust.

It’s more about making sure the team leaves in a condition that allows them to finish strong and be prepared for the final stretch of trail.

Travis Beals runs toward the Cripple checkpoint at sunset on Thursday March 10 during Iditarod 2016. Alaska. Photo by Jeff Schultz (C) 2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Rest and Strategy

The Core of the Race: Energy Management

In the Iditarod, race strategy is less about speed and more about how a musher manages energy over time. Every decision—when to run, when to rest, how far to go—affects how a team will perform not just in the next stretch, but hundreds of miles later.

At its core, the race is an exercise in energy management. Mushers are constantly balancing output and recovery, working to keep their dogs moving efficiently while preserving the strength needed to finish the race.

Differing Approaches to Running a Team

One of the fundamental strategic choices is how a team structures its runs. Some mushers opt for longer, slower runs, keeping their teams at a sustainable pace. These dogs are working within an aerobic range, which allows them to travel further while requiring less recovery time between efforts. The result is often a more consistent rhythm and less cumulative fatigue over the course of the race.

Others choose shorter, faster runs—moving quickly between checkpoints but placing higher physical demand on their teams. While this can create the appearance of speed early on, it often requires longer or more frequent rest to allow for recovery. Over time, that added recovery can offset the gains made during faster runs.

Why Early Miles Matter More Than They Seem

What looks faster in the moment is not always faster over 1,000 miles.

Early decisions in the race shape how a team will hold up later—how muscles recover, how efficiently dogs metabolize energy, and how fatigue accumulates. Teams that push too hard in the early stages may appear strong, but often pay for it days later.

Experienced mushers are rarely thinking about just the next checkpoint—they are building toward the second half of the race from the very beginning.

Every musher knows: you don’t arrive in Nome by chance. You get there through careful planning that starts in the first miles of the race.

The Shift Toward Speed

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable shift toward faster, shorter run strategies as competition has intensified. Mushers are increasingly willing to trade efficiency for speed in an effort to gain an early advantage.

But the underlying tradeoff remains the same: increased speed comes at the cost of increased recovery demand.

How We Think About the Iditarod: The Three Phases of Racing

One of the ways we think about the Iditarod is by breaking it into three distinct phases. While the race is continuous, each section demands a different mindset and strategy.

The First 300 Miles: Building the Foundation

The early part of the race is not about getting ahead—it’s about setting your team up to finish strong.

This is where mushers establish rhythm, protect muscle condition, and begin managing energy reserves. Decisions made here have a compounding effect later in the race. Pushing too hard in the first 300 miles can create fatigue that doesn’t fully show up until days later.

Teams that look conservative early are often building something—preserving strength and setting a foundation they can rely on when the race becomes more demanding.

The Middle Miles: Positioning and Patience

The middle portion of the race is where teams begin to separate, but it’s rarely where the race is decided.

This is often a phase of jockeying for position—mushers are paying attention to where they sit relative to others, but still making disciplined decisions. It can be tempting to respond to what other teams are doing, but experienced mushers stay focused on their own plan.

This section requires patience. The goal is to stay competitive without compromising the long-term condition of the team.

The Final 300 Miles: Where the Race Unfolds

The last 300 miles is where the race truly reveals itself.

By this point, the cumulative impact of every decision—pace, rest, feeding, timing—becomes visible. Teams that were managed well continue to move with strength and consistency, while others begin to fade.

This is where positioning matters most, but it’s also where it becomes clear that the outcome was shaped long before this stage. The teams that are able to push here are the ones that protected their dogs earlier in the race.

Why This Framework Matters

Breaking the race into phases highlights a core truth: The Iditarod is not won in a single moment—it’s built over time through a series of disciplined decisions.

What Makes a Successful Iditarod Team

Finishing the Iditarod requires an extraordinary level of preparation. This is an endurance event, and success begins long before the race starts.

Training: Building a Team Over Time

Most teams start building mileage in the fall, gradually increasing distance and intensity as conditions allow. Some kennels begin conditioning even earlier, using a combination of running, strength, and mental exposure to prepare dogs for the demands of the trail.

At our kennel, the dogs run consistently throughout the winter as part of our sled dog operations. That consistency matters. Fitness isn’t something you build all at once—it’s something you maintain over time.

At our kennel, the dogs run regularly throughout the winter as part of our sled dog operations, which helps maintain their fitness year-round.

Dog Care: The Foundation of Performance

Training volume alone isn’t enough. Successful teams are built on good dog care.

That means paying attention to the details every day—how dogs are eating, how they’re moving, how they recover after runs. Small changes matter. A dog that’s slightly off in training is often telling you something, and the ability to recognize and respond to that early can make a difference weeks later on the trail.

The same mindset carries into the race.

A musher is constantly evaluating the team—adjusting pace, rest, and expectations based on what the dogs are showing in that moment. There’s no separation between performance and care. How you take care of the dogs is how you stay competitive.

The Musher: Decision-Making Under Pressure

There’s also a mental side to it.

For the musher, the race requires steady decision-making in conditions that are often uncomfortable and unpredictable. Fatigue builds, weather changes, and things don’t always go as planned.

The job is to stay consistent—to make clear decisions without overreacting to any one moment.

The Support System Behind the Team

No team gets to the starting line or to Nome alone. Behind every Iditarod team is a support system—handlers, training partners, and people who help prepare dogs, manage logistics, and keep things moving in the months leading up to the race. That work doesn’t show up on the trail, but it’s part of what makes the race possible.

Why the Iditarod Still Matters

More than fifty years after the first race, the Iditarod continues to hold a special place in Alaska. Part of that comes from the culture surrounding the race. The event relies heavily on volunteers and small communities along the trail that welcome mushers each year.

Another reason is that the race represents something timeless.

Few events in the world place people so directly in the wilderness for such an extended period of time. Mushers and their dogs must navigate storms, difficult terrain, and the unpredictability of nature.

In many ways, the real opponent in the race isn’t another musher — it’s the environment itself.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the Iditarod is the relationship between the musher and their dogs.

This race is built on trust, loyalty, and shared effort. The dogs rely on the musher for leadership and care, while the musher relies on the dogs for strength and endurance.

At the end of the day, the race isn’t about fame or fortune. Even though there is prize money, most teams invest far more into their kennels than they will ever win in the race.

People compete in the Iditarod because they love the dogs, the lifestyle, and the challenge of traveling across Alaska by dog team.

Can You Experience Dog Sledding Without Racing the Iditarod?

You don’t have to race the Iditarod to experience what makes it meaningful. The scale is different, but the foundation is the same.

The dogs you meet on a tour are bred and trained with the same priorities—endurance, teamwork, and a willingness to run. The way they’re cared for, the way teams are built, and the way they work together all come from the same system that shows up in the race.

What you see in a short experience is just a smaller window into it.

You’ll notice how the dogs respond when they’re harnessed, how they settle into movement, and how the team works together once they’re on the trail. Those behaviors don’t come from one day—they’re built over time through training, consistency, and care.

For most people, that’s where the connection happens.

The Iditarod is one expression of dog sledding, but it’s not the only way to understand it. Spending time around the dogs—seeing how they move, how they’re handled, and how they’re cared for—gives you a much clearer sense of what the sport actually is.

And in many ways, that’s where it starts.

Turning Heads Kennel and the Iditarod

At Turning Heads Kennel, the Iditarod has become a meaningful part of our story. Between our kennel and the mushers we’ve supported, 17 Iditarod teams have run from Turning Heads Kennel. My partner Travis has competed in 12 Iditarods, I’ve completed two myself, and we’ve helped several other mushers reach the finish line in Nome.

We’ve also worked with young mushers entering the Junior Iditarod, helping support the next generation of the sport. For us, being part of this race is about more than competition. It’s about helping people pursue a dream, developing strong dog teams, and sharing the incredible experience of traveling Alaska’s winter trails behind a team of sled dogs.

And for those who follow the race from afar, we hope understanding how it works gives a deeper appreciation for what these teams accomplish.

Why Mushers Give Their Sled Dogs Straw

Sarah · February 6, 2024 ·

Mushers give their sled dogs straw primarily for bedding during rest stops in races and training sessions, as well as in their outdoor kennels. Straw serves several important purposes in ensuring the dogs’ comfort, health, and well-being, especially in cold weather conditions. Here are the key reasons why straw is favored:

Insulation and Warmth

Thermal Insulation: Straw is an excellent insulator. When dogs lie down on straw, their body heat is trapped in the air pockets within the straw, helping to keep them warm in freezing conditions.
Barrier from Cold Ground: Laying straw on the snow or ice provides a protective barrier that prevents body heat from being lost to the ground, which can be a significant risk in cold weather.

Comfort

Soft Bedding: Straw is relatively soft and can be fluffed up to create a comfortable bed that conforms to the dog’s body, providing support and comfort during rest periods.
Dry Resting Area: Straw can help wick away moisture from the dogs’ bodies and the ground, keeping them drier and more comfortable while resting.

Health and Hygiene

Cleanliness: Straw can be easily replaced, ensuring that dogs have a clean and dry place to rest. This is important for maintaining the dogs’ health, as it reduces the risk of skin infections and other health issues related to damp and dirty resting areas.
Reduced Exposure to Allergens: Compared to other bedding materials like hay, straw typically has fewer seeds and other particles that can cause allergic reactions in dogs.

Practicality and Accessibility

Availability: Straw is widely available in most regions where dog sledding is practiced, making it a convenient choice for mushers.
Cost-Effective: It is relatively inexpensive, especially in agricultural areas, which makes it an economical choice for bedding material.
Portability: Straw is lightweight and can be easily transported, which is essential for mushers who travel for races or training. During long-distance races like the Iditarod, mushers carry bales of straw on their sleds to create bedding for their dogs at checkpoints.

Sled dogs rest on straw during the 2016 Iditarod in the McGrath Checkpoint

Environmental Considerations

Biodegradable: Straw is a natural, biodegradable material that can be left on the trail without causing environmental harm, assuming local guidelines and race rules are followed regarding litter and environmental impact.

Usage in Races and Training

In the context of sled dog racing and training, mushers often carry bales of straw on their sleds to use at checkpoints or rest stops along the trail. Creating a comfortable, insulated bed for their dogs is a critical part of caring for their team, helping to ensure the dogs can rest effectively and maintain their health throughout the race or training session.

The use of straw for sled dogs by mushers is a practice grounded in ensuring the animals’ warmth, comfort, and overall well-being, especially in the demanding and often harsh conditions of dog sledding.

How Mushers Get Home After Finishing The Iditarod

Sarah · March 20, 2019 ·

After teams find themselves in Nome, Alaska celebrating their momentous achievement of finishing the Iditarod, they must then work on scheduling their own return trip. Generally, after arriving in Nome mushers are quick to make arrangements — if they haven’t done so already — for themselves and their dogs. Nothing feels quite as nice as your own bed for you and for your dogs!

What you don’t see from the live web feed after a dog team arrives under the burled arch in Nome, is where the teams go. The teams travel a few blocks further to a temporary dog lot that is set up during the race. This area is called the Nome Dog Lot. At the Nome dog lot, there is a dedicated crew of volunteers who stay with the dogs, in rotating shifts, 24/7 to help watch over the dogs when the mushers or their handlers can’t be there. That being said, care for the dogs themselves is done entirely by the mushers and their handlers.

When a musher and their team arrives at the dog lot, they are quickly directed by the volunteer crew as to where they will park their sled and unhook their team. Usually, a musher has a handler present in Nome who will help them with their team. The handler will have set up kennels for the dogs who have finished and will have also added straw to them so that the dogs will have a nice warm place to stay. The straw adds insulation to the kennels which serve, in part, as a windbreak. The handler will also bring a musher’s drop bags over. Experienced handlers will often have a hot meal waiting not only for the dogs but also for the musher!

Fidget relaxing after the finish of the 2018 Iditarod

All teams that arrive are inspected by a veterinarian as the musher and their help unharness the team and begin rubbing them down. If the musher has finished in the top 20 of Iditarod then the musher will have a panel of veterinarians over to inspect each dog. The musher will have to take each dog for a small walk in front of a committee who will carefully evaluate the gait of the dog. This is partially how the Leonhard Sepphala Humanitarian Award is given out. How a team finishes the race is almost as important as how the perform. A dog team should come into Nome looking strong and well hydrated. This evaluation is part of a larger evaluation of mushers and their care on the trail.

Most mushers feed their dogs several small snacks at the finish line consisting of fish or beef. Once the team is settled and the vet check is complete, they will get a nice big meal. Teams who have finished in the prize money for Iditarod must then wait for the Iditarod drug testing panel to come and collect urine from their dogs. This can be anywhere from the time a team finishes up until four hours after the team crosses the finish ilne. The reason the drug tester may take so long is that often the dog team needs to eat and drink before they are able to easily provide a urine sample. During this time a representative from the team must remain with the dog team.

At the earliest possible time available, a musher will make arrangements to fly their team out of Nome. Local freight carriers such as Northern Air Cargo and Alaska Airlines provide “back-haul” shipping out of Nome. Because so many supplies routinely have to go into the small town for it to survive, many planes go back empty.

travis beals sarah stokey iditarod 2018 nome — Travis and Sarah at the Finish of the 2018 Iditarod

This is great news for mushers because ultimately, it means it is relatively inexpensive for the dogs to get shipped home. Alaska airlines charge a flat rate of $425 to ship up to sixteen dogs and a sled back. Northern Air Cargo charges by weight — if you have a smaller team that has finished, choosing Northern Air Cargo may be a better option. We’ve worked with both carriers in the past and have been very happy with how they have taken care of us and our dogs. Believe it or not, it’s cheaper to fly the dogs back than it is to fly the humans back!

Mushers generally stay in Nome until the finishing banquet. For top placing teams, this can be 4 or 5 days so many mushers elect to send their dogs home as soon as possible. This is done because the living arrangements in Nome are temporary. The dogs will recover better sleeping in their own dog house away from the distraction of dozens of other teams. Generally, a musher running the race has a crew of people back home willing and able to take care of their team. These people have generally been involved with the care of the team for the entirety of the training season. Until the dogs depart, mushers are constantly caring for their dogs, feeding them, rubbing them down, and taking them for walks so they can stretch out.

Any musher who has finished the race will receive $1049 check to help with these expenses. Generally, this is enough to cover flying the dogs, the dog sled, and any other equipment back as well as pay for the musher’s return flight. Many mushers joke that without this check, they’d have to mush back home!

Shipping Sled Dogs back from Nome after finishing the Iditarod — A worker at Northern Air Cargo helps wrap a pallet of airline kennels containing our sled dogs for safe transit out of Nome

The dogs are generally shipped home in airline kennels, one dog per kennel. The kennels are generally stacked on pallets and syran wrap is used outside the kennels to keep them to the pallets to help prevent the dogs from moving in flight. Generally, four dog crates are put on each pallet, two on the bottom and two on top before the syran wrap goes around the outside of the kennels. This is done in such a way as to not impact ventilation but to ensure that the kennels are properly secured to the pallet and to each other.

Our sled dogs are loaded up and ready to head home

The Finishing Banquet is a time for celebration. Special awards such as the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award and other prizes, both those won along the trail and those voted on by judges and mushers, are handed out too. It is a fun event where mushers get to congratulate one another on finishing the race and enjoy the camaraderie of the mushing community.

The finishing banquet ends early in the evening. Most mushers, who have now been away from home for a minimum of 3 weeks, are eager to return home and hop on the earliest flight out of Nome which is directly after the banquet. Other mushers, stay for a few more days and continue to enjoy the post-Iditarod festivities.

Once home, most mushers and there dogs relax and start the planning process for next year’s race.

The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod

Sarah · April 18, 2018 ·

The role of Alaska Tourism in Racing the Iditarod — The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod. Original Photo by Kalani Woodlock

It seems strange to think that a little over a month ago, we were in Nome completing a 1,000-mile journey with our dogs. While we work on organizing Travis’ stories from the trail we thought we’d write about the migratory lives that many in the mushing world live in order to fund this crazy lifestyle.

Dog sledding in Alaska is not a cheap sport to participate in and running Iditarod, makes dog sledding much more expensive. Racing a 1,000-mile endurance race requires lots of additional training which in turn requires the dogs to eat a lot more food and go through lots of booties. We go through approximately 6,000 booties over the course of a training season. Our dog food bill is more than our mortgage, utility payment, and truck payment combined! On the low end of the scale, mushers spender approximately $30,000 dollars to train and race a team capable of reaching the finish line in Nome. Lots more, if you plan on running competitively. Of course, regardless of what is said by animal right’s activists, the financials of racing Iditarod do not make sense. Teams finishing in the top 20 are, at best, breaking even. We participate in the Iditarod because we love traveling the trail with our dogs: nothing is more remarkable than going on a 1,000 mile journey with your best friends!

Although many mushers hope for large sponsorships to materialize to offset the heavy financial burden running an Iditarod kennel entails, the majority of Iditarod mushers and their handlers have to figure out how to finance the high cost of running dogs on their own. Many mushers look to Alaska’s booming tourism economy to make their winter dreams a reality. Alaska dog sledding tours help turn many mushers’ Iditarod dreams into realities.

Because the tourism industry allows mushers to continue to work with our dogs, it is heavily favorited by dog mushers. Mushers pursue dog sledding because they love to be around dogs and working in tourism allows this. Other popular occupations for Iditarod racers include construction as well as fishing which are also seasonal occupations here in Alaska.

For our kennel and our Iditarod ambitions, we rely on tourism. We operate two different dog sled tours out of our hometown of Seward, Alaska. At our kennel, we operate a dog sled tour that focuses on providing hands-on experiences to small groups of guests. Our goal is to share our passion for dog mushing and also to educate the public on dog sled racing and sled dog care. The tour includes a fun dog sled ride on a wheeled car through wooded trails where we perform a one-of-a-kind lead dog demonstration, showing off our dogs’ training and intelligence. We love this tour because it focuses on training new lead dogs and takes our guests “behind the scenes” to show how we use positive reinforcement to teach our sled dogs our dog mushing commands.

We also offer a dog sled tour up on Godwin glacier for those seeking a winter-like experience and wanting to experience Alaska dog sledding on snow in the summer. Guests take a helicopter ride up to Godwin glacier, mush for two miles, and enjoy the amazing scenery. It’s really incredible how you can go from a summer landscape to a winter landscape in just a short helicopter ride! Alaska’s beauty constantly amazes us and this tour has been described as “life-changing” and “the trip of a lifetime!” Our dogs certainly enjoy getting to go on a winter vacation and we frequently rotate the dogs between our kennel and our remote glacier camp.

Our tour operation gives us lots of freedom not only in how our tours are conducted but also in how our dogs are cared for. For us, our livelihood also allows us to work with our dogs day in and day out which has major training benefits. We believe our summer dog sled tours really help us as a competitive racing kennel as we can continue to work with dogs and train lead dogs, work on developing young talent, and building a cohesive team. Tourism is also a really great way to introduce people to our sport and teach visitors all about how we care for our sled dogs.

With this to look forward to after returning home from Nome, we slowly began packing up our Willow residence. It almost seemed like we couldn’t leave Willow quick enough — the snow in Willow was melting and after having been gone from Seward for over 6 months, we were ready to return home. So we began the long arduous process of moving.

The process has taken weeks and is slowly coming to an end with the final dogs arriving in Seward. We couldn’t be happier in returning home: our local community has supported us in every conceivable way — from throwing fundraisers, to recommending our tours, to even helping prepare our food drops.

We are excited for summer to begin and for the opportunities that await us. We look forward to meeting new friends and sharing our passion for mushing with our guests. In between, we will enjoy the sunshine, barbeques, gardening, and friends that only home can offer.

We are so grateful for all the support our kennel receives from visitors to Alaska. Thanks for helping turn our dream into a reality and allowing us to live this wonderful lifestyle with our dogs.

Bring on the summer! We can’t wait!

Is Dog Sledding Humane?

Sarah · April 3, 2018 ·

Dog sledding is humane when it is practiced by experienced mushers who consistently meet the physical and mental needs of their dogs.

Over the past mushing season, we’ve received a high volume of questions about sled dogs—whether they enjoy running, how they are cared for, and what happens as they approach retirement. At its core, people are asking a simple question: Is dog sledding humane?

We welcome these questions.

They reflect a genuine interest in understanding how sled dogs live and work, and they create an opportunity to share clear, experience-based insight into our care practices. As professional mushers, our priority is straightforward: every dog in our kennel should be healthy, engaged, and well cared for.

When people seek out information directly from those who work with these dogs every day, it leads to a more accurate and informed understanding of the sport.

Sarah Stokey and Travis Beals at the start of Iditarod 2018 with Travis' Lead Dogs Granger and Krum. — Sarah Stokey and Travis Beals at the start of Iditarod 2018 with Travis’ Lead Dogs Granger and Krum. Photo by Kalani Woodlock Photography

Mushers Take a Proactive Approach to Dog Care

Mushers approach dog care with a preventative mindset. Rather than responding to problems after they arise, experienced kennels build systems designed to reduce risk from the start.

Training is progressive and intentional, designed to strengthen dogs without overloading them. Rest is treated as a critical component of performance, not an afterthought. Nutrition, conditioning, and daily observation all work together to support long-term health.

Because sled dogs operate at a high level of physical output, small details matter. Subtle changes are addressed early, before they develop into larger concerns. This proactive approach allows teams to maintain both performance and well-being across an entire season—and often across many years of a dog’s career.

Sled Dogs Are Not Forced To Run

Sled dogs are not forced to run. A dog that doesn’t want to run does not stay on a team.

These dogs run because they are bred to. The drive to move and pull is inherent. In practice, the challenge is rarely getting dogs to go—it’s managing their energy and desire to run.

If a dog shows disinterest, it is moved into a more suitable role or home. During races, any dog that becomes fatigued or unfit to continue is removed from the team and cared for by veterinarians.

Mushing depends on willing athletes. Forcing a dog to run would be ineffective and runs counter to how good dog care is practiced.

wrangler jumps with excitement iditarod 2018 — Wrangler jumps with excitement before the start of the 2018 Iditarod. Photo by Kalani Woodlock

Sled Dogs Who Can’t Run Are Sent Home

During races, teams often finish with fewer dogs than they started with—and that’s a good thing.

As the race progresses, mushers continually evaluate each dog. If a dog becomes fatigued, develops a minor issue, or is no longer moving at its best, it is removed from the team and left in the care of veterinarians. This process, known as “dropping a dog,” ensures that each dog is managed as an individual athlete.

Strong teams are not defined by how many dogs finish, but by how well each dog is cared for along the way.

No dog is ever made to continue if it is unwilling or unable.

Sled Dogs Are Bred To Be Runners

Sled dogs are purpose-bred endurance athletes. Over generations, mushers have selectively bred their best dogs to their best dogs, developing animals with the physical and mental traits required for long-distance travel.

The drive to run is instinctive. Just as herding dogs will herd without training, sled dogs possess a natural desire to move and pull — regardless of whether that energy is formally directed into mushing.

Gremlin leans into a turn, showing off her athletic frame.

Their ability to cover long distances is rooted in biology. Sled dogs are built for efficiency, with long legs, strong cardiovascular systems, and a unique metabolism that allows them to sustain prolonged effort. With proper conditioning, they are capable of running well over 100 miles in a day, and repeating that effort across consecutive days.

Training is structured and progressive. Runs vary depending on the time of year, and are carefully planned to build endurance while maintaining health. Just as important as the work itself are rest and recovery days, which allow dogs to adapt and remain sound over time.

These capabilities are specific to sled dogs. They are not typical of other breeds and are the result of both genetics and careful management.

Sled Dogs Have Bodies Built For Running

Sled dogs are built for endurance. Compared to the average pet dog, they have longer legs for greater stride efficiency and cardiovascular systems capable of sustaining prolonged effort.

They also possess a unique metabolism that allows them to perform day after day. As training progresses, sled dogs adapt to utilize energy efficiently, drawing from what they consume rather than rapidly depleting internal reserves. This is a key factor in their ability to compete in long-distance races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest.

Young dogs typically begin running in harness between 8 and 10 months of age. The instinct to run is immediate. Early training focuses instead on structure—how to move within the team, manage the lines, and travel efficiently alongside other dogs.

Do Sled Dogs Enjoy Running?

So, do sled dogs enjoy dog sledding?

Yes—and that enjoyment is rooted in both who they are and how they are cared for.

Sled dogs are bred to run, but breeding alone is not enough. Their well-being depends on consistent training, proper nutrition, thoughtful management, and a willingness to make decisions in each dog’s best interest.

When those pieces are in place, sled dogs are not being pushed to do something unnatural—they are doing exactly what they are built and motivated to do.

Why Are Sled Dogs Tied Up?

nce people understand how much sled dogs are driven to run, the next question is usually about how they live—especially why they are tethered.

It’s a fair question, and one that deserves context.

Tethering is an effective and widely used method of managing sled dogs in working kennels. Given the level of daily exercise these dogs receive, their time at their houses is primarily for rest and recovery—much like an athlete returning to a dedicated space to reset.

Tethering provides each dog with individual space while still allowing controlled social interaction with neighboring dogs. It reduces the risk of injury, allows for close monitoring, and creates a consistent, manageable system for feeding, cleaning, and daily care.

Compared to group pens, tethering often offers more usable space per dog and better aligns with how sled dogs are trained and managed.

Importantly, tethering is just one part of a broader routine. Dogs spend significant time off their setups—running, training, and interacting—ensuring they receive both physical exercise and social engagement.

What Are The Living Conditions of Sled Dogs?

Each dog in our kennel has its own designated shelter. We use wooden dog houses built for durability, though plastic barrel houses are also common in mushing.

While different in appearance, both options provide effective shelter. In practice, dogs show little preference. The priority is not aesthetics, but providing durable, weather-appropriate housing that supports comfort and recovery.

Sled Dogs Are Well Adapted To The Cold

During winter, straw is added to each dog house to provide insulation and warmth. It is changed regularly to ensure bedding remains clean and dry.

Sled dogs are well adapted to cold environments. As a northern breed, it is not uncommon for them to rest outside—even in snow or rain—rather than use their houses. As temperatures rise, many dogs will remove straw themselves, regulating their own comfort.

Maintaining a clean, well-managed environment is a core part of kennel care. Gravel is used to support drainage and sanitation, and the kennel is cleaned at least once daily, often more. This level of consistency reflects the amount of time spent actively monitoring and caring for the dogs.

Sled Dogs Receive Routine Vaccinations and De-Wormings

As part of our basic care, we follow a routine deworming and vaccination schedule for all of our sled dogs. We also work with several different vets to provide the highest possible standard of care for our dogs. You can learn more about our sled dog care program here. You can read more in-depth articles on our sled dog care at our kennel as well as sled dog care while on the trail.

Sled Dogs Receive Plenty of Exercise

Routine exercise is essential to the health and well-being of sled dogs. Because these dogs are highly active by nature, it is our responsibility to ensure they receive consistent, structured opportunities to run and work.

Just as important as exercise is rest. Training programs are designed with built-in recovery, allowing dogs time to reset and maintain long-term soundness. This balance between work and recovery is fundamental to keeping sled dogs healthy and engaged.

Are Sled Dog Races Good For Sled Dogs?

When managed responsibly, racing can be a positive and meaningful part of a sled dog’s life.

It gives structure and purpose to a season of training and allows dogs to apply what they’ve built over time. You can see their engagement at the start line—the focus, the anticipation, the energy of being surrounded by other teams.

Racing aligns with what these dogs are bred and driven to do: run, work, and move forward as part of a team.

All Racing Sled Dogs Undergo Health Checks Performed by Veterinarians

Racing also introduces additional layers of care and accountability.

Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and undergo pre-race veterinary exams. In events like the Iditarod, this includes ECGs and bloodwork screening to ensure dogs are fit to compete.

Veterinarians are stationed along the trail and evaluate dogs at checkpoints. Mushers are required to maintain a dog team diary, which allows vets to communicate observations across checkpoints and track each dog’s condition throughout the race. When we race the Iditarod, our dogs undergo pre-race ECGs and bloodwork screening to help ensure they are healthy.

Iditarod gives ECGs as a part of its dog care program — Travis calms Bensen as the Iditarod volunteer staff preforms an ECG.

Dogs are Regularly Sent Home From Racing

During racing, dogs are frequently removed from teams for precautionary reasons.

This is not a sign of failure—it is a sign of good management.

A musher can only move as fast as the slowest dog. But more importantly, each dog has a different level of readiness on any given day. Removing a dog allows that individual to rest and recover, rather than be pushed beyond what is appropriate.

Good dog care requires making these decisions early and often.

Racing Sled Dogs Have Highly Catered Diets

In competitive racing environments, diet is also a crucial component to success. Racing sled dogs will have a highly customized diet designed to their specific needs. Often, this diet will include beef, chicken, fish and even horse. The dogs are also fed various types of fat as well as vitamin and dietary supplements.

One of the vitamin supplements used by mushers is Vitamin E which has been shown to help increase endurance in sled dogs during long distance races. In fact, the Iditarod recommends that mushers supplement their dogs with 400 IU of Vitamin E per day.

Sled Dogs Receive Massage Therapy

Additionally, many racers employ the use of massage, laser therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic massage on their sled dogs to ensure that their team is ready for competition and capable of reaching peak performance. The use of massage and stretching can help dogs recover better and can improve performance. As noted in an article on the use of massage therapy on sled dogs put out by the 1,000-mile long Yukon Quest dog sled race,

“Veterinarians, mushers, and handlers use massage therapy to increase the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and surrounding tissues in sled dogs. This helps speed the removal of waste products from the muscles, and helps relax a dog’s muscles.”

Our sled dogs are treated like canine Olympians! Beyond the care they receive, we feel that our dogs take great pride in racing. We know that our dogs know what they have accomplished when they reach the finish line of a race. Overcoming obstacles such as difficult trail and bad weather, as well as the long miles needed to train for endurance races, truly bonds us to our dogs.

What Type of Care do Sled Dogs Receive on the Trail?

We strive to have the highest standard of care possible whether we are at home in our kennel, training our dogs, or are out on the race trail. It should go without saying that the better care we take of our dogs, the better they will perform. Great dog care is crucial for success in racing.

On the race trail, mushers will use canine massage oil and rub their dogs down. They will also help stretch their dogs out so that their muscles will relax and recover better. Before racing, many of our dogs will see specialists. Our dogs will undergo acupuncture, myofascial trigger-point release, or laser therapy. Just like human athletes, our dogs every need is catered to. We want our dogs to be at peak performance. To ensure that, we give our dogs the best possible care.

Vets are Stationed Along the Trail

IMG 5814 e1547755222676 — The Iditarod Vet book is a required piece of gear. Mushers must have it signed off by a vet at each checkpoint.

In addition to mushers monitoring their dogs along the trail volunteer veterinarians are also stationed along the trail. The vets monitor the dogs for signs of dehydration, fatigue, and illness. On long-distance races such as the Iditarod, mushers must carry a Dog Team Diary as part of their mandatory equipment. This diary is a method of communication used by vets so that they can convey observations about a particular dog to another vet that may be stationed further along the trail.

Dogs Can Be Dropped From The Team

During racing, if a sled dog encounters any sort of problem the musher can elect to “drop” that dog from their team. The dog is pulled from the team and remains at the checkpoint with the vet and volunteers there while the musher and the remainder of their team continue onwards.

Sled dogs are dropped during races for a number of reasons, but the predominant reason dogs are dropped have to do with the dynamics of working with a group of high caliber athletes. When running sled dogs, a musher can only go as fast as the slowest team member… It is an unfortunate misconception that sled dogs do not finish races because the race is too difficult or because the musher is pushing the team to hard. That is not the case at all! Mushers drop dogs because we are trying to work as efficiently as possible and because it is not always fair to keep all our team mates as part of the team. Peak performance for one athlete, is different for another. As the coach of the team, our job is to help each athlete on our team reach their full potential. Good sled dog care requires dropping dogs.
– Understanding Why Mushers Drop Sled Dogs In Races

Being able to leave dogs behind, allows mushers to do what is best for each individual dog.

What Happens To Old Sled Dogs or Dogs That Don’t Want to Pull?

Although racing age varies from dog to dog, most canine athletes can compete until 9 years of age. Many, continue competing beyond that. Long-distance dog sled races, like Iditarod, are not physically stressful on our older dogs and, in fact, if an older dog remains injury free, they may compete until they are 11 or 12 years old. Marathons, as many human racers will attest, have a mental component to them — the more marathons you finish, the easier they become: your body and your mind learn that the finish line is coming. The same is true with our dogs: our older dogs may no longer be in their physical prime, however, they have the mental toughness that allows them to compete. This mental toughness may not be enough to keep them on the race team — but they may go on a team to help “coach” a group of younger dogs and help them get to the finish line in a less competitive team that is just learning the trail or traveling it non-competitively.

Older Sled Dogs Mentor Young Sled Dogs

Older sled dogs have the wisdom of many seasons of racing with them. Because of this, not only do they make great coaches to other dogs but they also make good teachers. Our old dogs help train the younger dogs, teaching them how they should interact with their teammates and how not to. These older dogs are often sought out by kennels with young dogs or by those just learning how to mush.

Sled Dogs Will Retire to Loving Pet Homes or Will Stay In Our Kennel

Inevitably, however, there comes a time when a dog neither can mush or simply no longer wants to. At that time, we will permanently retire our dog. A retired dog may continue to live at our kennel or it may move on to another home. When we bring a dog into the world either by doing a breeding or when we take a dog on from another musher, we are making a commitment to that dog that it will always have a home with us. If you are interested in adopting one of our older sled dogs, please contact us!

What Happens to Dogs Who Don’t Enjoy Mushing?

We occasionally have the “black sheep” sled dog that doesn’t enjoy running and pulling. Sometimes our dogs may also develop a medical condition which does not allow them to run. In these instances, we work to rehome our dog to a home where they can enjoy life. We have had many successful outcomes with young dogs who have gone on to active homes. Are you an avid hiker or runner? Please consider adopting a sled dog!

A Musher’s Job Is To Help Each Sled Dog Realize Their Full Potential

Our job as mushers is to allow each of our dogs to reach their full potential — and sometimes that means they aren’t fit for our particular kennel. In these instances, we may consider selling the dog to another kennel. We have many talented athletes who for one reason or another may not gel with our kennel or within our team. A dog should not be penalized for something like this! Rather, this dog should go on to a mushing home where it can excel. Some dogs that may not make our team for one reason or another will go on to be a super-star at another kennel. We’ve sold dogs who weren’t fitting in that have gone on to win races with their new owners: this makes us incredibly proud and is ideally what happens!

We have several dogs who are currently retired as well as several who will be nearing retirement in the next year or two. If you are interested in learning more, please consider contacting us. We are happy to provide references to those who are hoping to add a sled dog to their life!

Our retirement and rehoming program aren’t out of the ordinary either — in fact, it’s the norm. Most competitive mushers have great retirement programs too, though not all are widely publicized. The park rangers who work with sled dogs at Denali National Park also have a great sled dog retirement program. In addition to mushers working on their own to find retirement homes for their dogs, the non-profit the August Fund helps elderly sled dogs and their mushers connect with those looking for a pet.

We Love Our Sled Dogs

Owning and caring for a kennel of sled dogs is a tremendous amount of work and responsibility. As mushers, the thanks we get is from the wagging tails of our dogs and the love they give back to us. Owning a sled dog kennel is an expensive labor of love and a choice we make because we enjoy the company of our dogs.

Is Dog Sledding Humane

Dog sledding is humane when it is practiced by attentive, experienced mushers who consistently meet the physical and social needs of their dogs.

At its core, mushing is built on a working partnership. Mushers choose this lifestyle because they value both the dogs themselves and what can be accomplished together as a team. When done well, the sport supports the health, engagement, and purpose these dogs are bred for.