If you are looking for a sport that involves a love for animals as well as the frigid outdoors, dog sleddingmight be just the thing for you. Dog sledding, of course, got its beginnings from the transportation needs of those who live and work in the frozen north and south ends of the globe. In the years since, however, what was once a necessity of getting around is now a sport that hundreds, perhaps even thousands enjoy virtually every day. Dog sledding involves the use of a team of dogs, usually Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes, which pulls a large sled, which is operated by a driver or a so-called "musher." The fun of dog sledding is multifold, depending on your individual interest. Some fans enjoy working with the dogs as the musher or a trainer. Others enjoy the sport for the excitement of watching the animals race in the wintertime as well as during the summer when courses are run on with sleds that are equipped with wheels.

Assembling a dog sledding team can be very difficult since it involves the selection and training of dogs with very specific skills. There are three basic types. There are lead dogs, point dogs, and wheel dogs. Lead dogs are not only the most skilled, but they are often the most valuable. Point dogs are located behind the lead dogs. The wheel dogs are in the rear of the pack. All of these dogs are particularly strong, and suited to pulling the sled wherever it is need to go. Dog sledding is not only used as a method of everyday transportation and hunting, but also as a recreational activity.

In fact, every year, many snow-bound areas have sled dog races that attract not only locals, but national news shows as well. Even casual observers will notice that it takes considerable work on the part of not only the animals to pull a sled through sometimes very high snow, but it is also an endurance sport for the musher as well. He or she--and yes, there are both sexes involved in dog sledding--are not only trained to take part in dog sledding but they are also dedicated to the welfare of the animals they use to keep them alive, healthy, and happy.

Enjoying Dog Sledding there are many schools available that teach the serious as well as the curious about the sport of dog sledding. Even where there is no snow there are often dog sledding schools that take advantage of wheeled sleds to teach students the sport. Regardless, there is a lot to learn before you take out your first team, but it's a sport that involves dedication towards the animals as well as the sport, which is great fun for everyone involved. As a result, if you're not into the sport to feel like you're floating over snow and ice, even those who enjoy cheering on their favorite team, there's plenty of fun for everyone.