The person who takes care of our adorable furry friends is called the musher. This is the person who drives the sled! In France, there are around 200 mushers.

The role of a musher goes far beyond just driving the team. They are also responsible for the well-being of their dogs—providing care, food, training, and, most importantly, affection. The musher also handles the maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of all equipment.

To become a musher, it is essential to love outdoor adventures, be in good physical condition, and have a strong passion for working with dogs. Simply put, there is no musher without passion!

How to Become a Musher

In France, a high school diploma (BAC) is enough to earn the title of musher—specifically a professional BAC in “Management and Operation of a Canine and Feline Enterprise.”

However, to be certified to teach dog sled driving, one must obtain a DEJEPS (Diplôme d’Etat de la Jeunesse, de l’Education Populaire et du Sport), specializing in canine sled driving (equivalent to BAC+2). This involves: 700 hours of training at a center, plus 500 hours of work-study experience. Admission to the program requires passing the TEP (Prerequisite Test), which includes: Analysis of a video, A technical test managing a dog team, An interview with a jury. An Ambassador of the Activity and the Region. 

As experts, mushers are also ambassadors for both the sport and their region. During our dog sled rides, don’t hesitate to ask them questions—they will be delighted to share their knowledge and experiences with you.