Dog Sledding Wisconsin (2024)

FAQs

Is there dog sledding in Wisconsin? ›

Dog sledding

In many parts of the world, including Wisconsin, mushers train year-round for sled dog races.

The main reason is because the dogs require care year round. Snowmobiles can be stored in a garage for the summer without maintenance costs, but dogs have daily needs that must be met. They eat everyday.

Dogsledding embodies an exhilarating experience not only for humans but also for the sled dogs themselves. Canines, particularly those with some mix of northern breed heredity like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, possess innate traits suited for this activity.

Join host Michele Forto as she talks about the Iditarod and Willow, Alaska, the sled dog capital of the world.

The dogs themselves are bred to run and relish the opportunity to pull. They are not whipped or harmed in any way (the dogsled whip is struck beside the pack, not on it) and it is the best way to experience the silence of the Arctic winter in an authentic way.

While we are on the trail the dogs sleep on a drop line strung between trees by a cabin or in our camp for the night. Each of the dogs has their own spot and they will dig down to make a cozy bed in the snow for the night. Coming home to their straw filled houses is a luxury after weeks on the trail.

Not All Dog Sledding Experiences Are the Same

There are horror stories of mushers who run their dogs into the ground, pushing them well past any sensible limit. We in no way support this type of treatment of any animal. But we would put conscientious dog sledding in the same category as riding a horse through nature.

Do you tip for dog sledding? Yes. Tips are expected. If you think your guides did a great job, a tip of 10-20% of the trip price is standard in the outdoor guiding industry (and very much appreciated).

For me, the rare opportunity to take two helicopter rides over some of the most gorgeous landscapes, spend time with real working sled dogs and take photos of a seemingly endless field of snow would definitely be worth the splurge.

The Samoyed, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and Chinook are some of the most well-known of the sled dog breeds. Sled dogs probably evolved in Mongolia between 35,000 and 30,000 years ago.

Is dog sledding bumpy? ›

The sled ride is about a mile long. Sometimes, the ride can be a little bumpy, but our guides are usually able to avoid the bumps well enough. The speed, as well as the exact timing, of the ride is dependent upon both the dogs' performance as well as the weather on the day of your visit.

And dog sled racing isn't cheap once you add up the costs of feed, travel, accommodations, and vet bills. There's prize money at stake in all the races, but not enough to make a living. Most mushers have to supplement their personal incomes and race winnings with sponsorships, as well.

The Inuit refer to this as the qimmiijaqtauniq. Estimates of the number of dogs killed range from 1,200 to 20,000. In some communities, elders have alleged that this destruction was conducted in order to intimidate the Inuit and to intentionally disrupt their way of life.

The "average" career of a sled dog at Bush Alaska is probably 8-10 years - sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less - and most of them live to ripe old ages after they retire. They often live 14-16 years... quite old for big dogs!

Animals are also mistreated in the name of fashion, or even just for sport. Sadly, the world of dog sledding can often be no different. Horror stories of animal cruelty can be found in dog sledding operations around the world. In some areas, dogs are chained when not running.

Sled dogs today are still used by some rural communities, especially in areas of Russia, Canada, and Alaska as well as much of Greenland. They are used for recreational purposes and racing events, such as the Iditarod Trail and the Yukon Quest.

A number of Iditarod and Yukon Quest mushing champions have turned their love of the sport into a thriving tour business. While winter is high season for dog sled racing, you can experience the best Alaska dog sled tours year-round.

The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Follow the Ice Age trail around the scenic Holy Hill and enjoy panoramic views atop a 1,350 ft.

Most sled dogs are part of a kennel, with anywhere from 10 to over 100 huskies living in a dog yard. This is the environment that many people picture when they envision the living quarters of a typical sled dog. However, many people don't know that sled dogs can be great indoor pets.