gtlogo

Greentrail: A British Racing Sled Dog Team

(Sled dog Race Calendar 2009-10 ~ Click here)

We recommend you always wear a helmet!

Action Dog Running

We are a medium size kennel of Siberian Huskies based in the UK. Our dogs are regularly trained, worked and raced in harness. Our lives changed when we were captivated by the calm fury that is sled dog racing and today we devote all our time to working, caring, training and racing these fantastic athletes.

The dogs are run around the farm and adjoining tracks, in forestry commission and privately owned woods and estates. Our kennel has always been keener on longer distance work, the dogs are regularly taken on mid distance / stage treks and camping trips in the UK and longer runs and camping trips in Norway. We have found sprint and long distance training to be very different and both require completely different training techniques and education of the dogs. Preparation has been so important when trying to run more than 30 miles in the UK. Not least to ensure the dogs have plenty of water stops to remain hydrated, running at night so not to over heat and building on training steadily so the dogs are physically and mentally prepared for longer distsances. Up until 2008 we competed in UK sprint races between October and March, racing across Scotland and England with the many well organised clubs. Every one of our dogs race in the UK events from the main racers through to yearlings out for some fun experience and the oldies whose enthusiasm might out do their bodies but still love to race. From 2008 onwards we have devoted our attention to mid-long distance training and preparing the dogs to race in Europe's long distance sled races in 2010 and onwards. Chasing the dream and getting to Norway for the winter with the entire kennel has been a huge amount of hard work with many sacrifices, from career plans to favoured possessions, but the dogs enthusiams, commitment and twinkle in their eyes has made everything worth while. We are dedicated to monitoring and improving the health, fitness, nutrition, happiness, confidence and education of each of our dogs.

Equipment
We use specialist equipement and gear and make our own ganglines.  Our team training is done with Quad bikes, a 4 wheeled cart, 3 wheeled rigs and sleds and we use mountain bikes for bikejorring and a good pair of trainers for cani-X when we want to focus on individuals. Hydration and Nutrition are the most vital elements to any athletes health and training and huskies are no different, we feed a combination of performance kibble and raw meat. Tweaking and improving the dogs diet is a constant process as new research and products become available.

Food
The dogs are fed a combination of "Quest Dog Food" kibble and raw meat in order to maximise their performance. The dogs thrive on the food and never turn their noses up at it, this is an excellent quality food with a very good balance of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and all the suppliments you want to keep any athlete in top condition.

 

Race1
Mel driving a 4-dog team in 2006. The two bouncy wheel dogs; Oodatt and Elvis making their racing debut. The team was solidly lead by veterans Valour and Zhara.

 

THE SIBERIAN HUSKY- Athlete not Pet!!!
Siberian Huskies are a demanding and challenging ancient northern breed that should not be confused with the pooch that sits on your sofa. This keen adventurer is a pack animal and first and foremost a working dog that requires a role within their pack. The sled dog is the world’s premier endurance athlete, capable of pulling 200% of their own body weight and reaching speeds of over 30mph, they can also cover more ground faster than any other animal on the planet. As such they require vast amounts of exercise, training, care and attention. Their intelligence and problem solving skills make them ideal as sled dogs, but as untrained or unexercised pets they bore easily, will run rings around the average dog owner and will destroy a house in minutes. Even when extensively trained they can never be let off the lead as their natural desire to run has been inbred for hundreds of years and they will run straight down a road into oncoming traffic. They love being part of a pack, mixing with humans and playing with children but their ambivalent nature will also welcome a burglar making them unsuitable as guard dogs and their hunting instincts will see a small fluffy animals as prey.
Siberian Huskies make up approximately 5% of the worlds racing sled dogs, they are still worked in a huge variety of arenas, from transporting mail, felled trees and supplies to search and rescue missions. Their beauty has seen them excel in the show ring and more recently become a popular; but often unsuccessful, family pet. Any one considering buying a Siberian Husky should remember that to turn the gorgeous little puppy into a well behaved member of the family will be a fulltime physically exhausting job and will cost of small fortune. Those that are successful at calming the madness within are themselves keen and active outdoors or sports people with patience and a good sense of humor.

mail@greentrail.co.uk