Iditarod Race on March, 2024: How do entrants and their dogs train for the Iditarod race?

Iditarod Race 2024.

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How do entrants and their dogs train for the Iditarod race?

The iditarod is not a two week even it is a 365 day event. The musher spends all year training for the event like a Olympic athlete. Most mushers do not have side jobs. The dogs are born in the spring (these dogs will not race until they are at least 3) around fall the musher will pick around 20 dogs to train intensively. while only 16 dogs can participate in the race he will need to have back-up dogs. Often if there is no snow where they live they will go to a training camp (a place farther north where there is snow) and train the dogs eat a very high calorie diet because they can burn up to 11,000 calories a day or the equivalent of 40,000! for you and me. The dogs that are raised are known as alaskan huskies. usually siberian huskies are not used. While they have good endurance they are not very fast. Alaskan huskies have the perfect combination of speed and endurance.

are great pyrenees dogs suitable for the iditarod dog sled race?

are great pyrenees dogs suitable for the iditarod dog sled race?

The official rule is this:

Rule 43 -- Dog Description: Only dogs suitable for arctic travel will be permitted to enter the race.

Suitability will be determined by race officials.

So the decision would be made be race officials if it came up.

To my knowledge nobody ever has even tried; and they are not commonly used even in recreational mushing. And I doubt anyone would try? from what I know they are bred as herding dogs and would not have the drive and stamina of working dogs. They also look too big and heavy to be practical as sled dogs. (sled dogs are not that big and heavy, think marathon runners and sprinters)

Who established the iditarod race?

Who established the iditarod race?

Hi Claire, even though this is the horse racing section, I looked up some things for you. I am posting the links below. Have a great day.

Also on this date Friday, March 1, 2024...