Dog Sledding Equipment

The practice of dog sledding requires some specific equipment. First of all—obviously—no dog sledding without a sled! But not just any sled! The musher’s choice of sled will depend on several factors: in what environment will it be used? In what context? How often? How many dogs will be pulling it? What type of dogs? Each style of practice requires its own type of sled. There are three main kinds:

Touring sled (the toboggan): the ideal sled for powder snow or off-trail runs. However, it’s quite heavy, which is why it isn’t used for racing.

Mid-distance racing sled: designed for medium- to long-distance races. It’s halfway between a touring sled and a sprint racing sled.

Sprint racing sled: built for speed. These sleds are extremely lightweight and designed only for short distances.

Whatever the type, a good sled needs certain qualities—above all, strength and robustness. Dogs aren’t always gentle, and accidents can happen. A sled must also be easy to repair. Depending on its use, it may be made of wood or aluminum.

Sleds are equipped with brakes, shaped like spikes, which must be long enough to clear the snow. They also include what’s called a dog bag—a synthetic fiber sack built into the sled. Its primary purpose is to carry an injured dog safely back (this is mandatory in races).

The sled is connected to the dogs by a gangline and shock absorbers. The gangline is made of three parts:
The main line (central line), the tug line, attached near the dog’s tail to allow pulling, the neck line, attached to the dog’s collar to help keep it in line. The sled isn’t attached directly to the gangline—first comes a shock absorber (a stiff elastic) to protect the dogs from jolts. The dogs wear pulling harnesses, specially designed for their comfort and safety. The harness supports the dog’s entire body, from neck to tail, so it can pull efficiently without injury.

Equipment Designed for Well-Being

Dog sledding equipment is specially designed so that traction remains safe and enjoyable for the dogs. Their comfort and well-being are always a priority.