Check Out This Website for Links to all of the following, plus More:
http://www.DogSports.us
Urban Mushing in Costa Mesa, California: This is the Home of the So Cal Working Snow Dogs filled with information on Urban Dog Sledding in conjunction with the Yahoo Group below.
Yahoo Group for So Cal Working Snow Dogs: Join this Yahoo Discussion Group associated with the Urban Dog Sledding of Costa Mesa, California, and get on their mailing list.
Information: This group is open to all dog enthusiasts who want to share their ideas, questions, experiences and participate in dog-powered sports for their working dog. They organize informal fun events such as dog sledding, carting, scootering, bikejoring, skijoring, canicross, hiking, backpacking, weight pulling, etc. Please note --- this activity is NOT just for Siberian Huskies. There are a number of other northern breed type dogs that would love to be given the opportunity to answer their genetic calling. Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and the Canadian Eskimo dog (and let's not forget Alaskan Huskies, which are now the breed of choice for running the Iditarod) are among those that were bred specifically to pull sleds. On the other hand, other working and sporting type breeds simply have a LOT of energy to burn and likewise find fulfillment in running and pulling. German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Dalmatians, Portugese Water Dogs, Akitas, Jindos, Australian Shepherds, German Short-Haired Pointers (these dogs can sometimes hit speeds of 30 MPH or more!) --- these are but some of the breeds that have taken to dog scootering and other urban mushing type activities. Whatever breed your dog might be, even the lovable mixed breed mutt, if they have a lot of energy and love to run and pull, then this could be the perfect exercise for them. Your dogs do need to be properly socialized. Remember the first rule in Dog Sledding is that your dogs needs come first (Food, Rest, and Medical) the musher’s needs come second.
Directions: The address to Fairview Park is 2525 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa 92626. The Park is North of Estancia High School. From Anaheim, go South on Brookhurst, East on Adams, South on Placentia. The park is on the right and runs along side the riverbed. The hills are great there for scootering. Model airplane guys are there every weekend and lots of walkers. Here is a map to Fairview Park: http://cmfairviewpark.org/map.htm
Time: Assemble at the grassy are by the parking lot on most Saturdays and Sundays starting at 7:30 AM. Newbies are welcome, however please contact the group prior to just showing up so that provisions can be made to make this a wonderful experience for you and your best friend. Often there are extra scooters and harnesses available for Newbies who want to join in for a trail run. This is a great opportunity to try out the sport prior to purchasing your own equipment. Inquire about the Urban Mushing Clinic that is offered from time to time.
Attention Newbies: If you wish to join the group for a Trail Run, You will need to:
- notify the group of what day you would like to join them.
- provide the breed of dog you are bringing.
- provide the approximate weight of each of your dogs.
- keep your dogs are on leash at all times.
- have a dog collar on your dog, other than a choke or pinch.
- make sure to always ask the owner before you or your
dog approaches an unfamiliar dog.
- be there 30 minutes early, around 7:00 for some dog scootering basics.
Facilities: Water is available for the dogs at the rest area and the restrooms are immaculent.
Dog Sledding Commands and Definitions:
Bikejoring:
Bikejoring article written by Mike Callahan of SoHumMushers.
Canicross:
What is Canicross?
Article on Canicross previously published in Mushing magazine
Carting:
Carting With Your Dog
http://www.cartingwithyourdog.com
History of Dog Carts
Short article on dog carts dating back to the early 1600s, includes pictures
http://hometown.aol.com/vixensmistress/myhomepage/profile.html
Dog Scootering:
Dog Scooter - The main resource for dogscootering info in the US, thanks to Daphne Lewis
What kind of scooter should I get?
This link gives you an overview of some of the more common scooters available in the market, including specs and recommended usage.
Dog Powered Scooter - check out this new Dog Powered TRIKE! Focus your dogs energy as urban mushing! A safe way to road work your dog/dogs. It gives the rider precision steering control, with great braking, total stability, the ability to help by pedalling, can handle up to 4 dogs, and the thrill of dog mushing/pulling!
http://www.DogPoweredScooter.com
Dog Sledding:
Dictionary of Mushing Terms
http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/Dictionary.htm
ISDRA - International Sled Dog Racing Association
http://www.isdra.org
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race - Official website of the Last Great Race
http://www.iditarod.com
Seppala Mushing in Chatanika, AK -
Film clip of the legendary Leonhard Seppala, circa late 40s/early 50s
http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdmg11/image/2844.mov
Sled Dog Central
http://www.sleddogcentral.com
The Anatomy of a Dog Sled
A short, "dummies" guide to different dog sled parts and features
http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/Dogsled.htm
The Anatomy of a Dog Team
How different dogs are connected to a sled dog team
http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/Dogteam.htm
Yukon Quest
Official website of The Toughest Race On Earth
http://www.yukonquest.com
Equipment And Gear:
ActiveDogs.com - variety of gear and equipment for working dogs, including protection gear, hurdles, harnesses, etc.
http://www.activedogs.com
Adanac Sleds - Maker of sleds and miscellaneous mushing supplies
http://www.adanacsleds.com/
Affordable Dog Sleds - Low-priced starter sleds
http://www.cheqnet.net/~narad/sleds/Namekagon.htm
Alpine Outfitters - Equipment for the working sled dog --- nice people, very helpful
http://www.alpineoutfitters.net
Artic Rigs - 3-Wheeled training rigs made in USA
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/articrigs/
Black Ice - Complete dog sledding equipment and supplies, including harnesses, sleds, carts, books and videos
http://www.blackicedogsledding.com
Cold Spot Feeds and Mushing Supplies - Based out of Fairbanks, Alaska, they claim to carry the largest selection of mushing supplies in the world.
http://www.coldspotfeeds.com
Cudos Rigs - 3-Wheeled Racing and Training Rigs - UK made
http://www.cudosrigs.co.uk/
Diggler Scooters - Makers of the Mountain Diggler, the Dirt Dawg, and now, the Alpha Dawg!
http://www.diggler.com
Dog Booties - Booties for your dog, as well as other gear such as vests, collars, nameplates, racing bibs, etc.
http://www.dogbooties.com
Dog Powered Scooter - Scooter with side-"yoke" attachment
http://www.dogpoweredscooter.com
Dog Works, Inc. - Drafting carts and harnesses
http://www.dogworks.com/
Expedition Outfitters - Excellent Tuglines
http://www.expedition-outfitters.com
Fastrk Kennel - Working siberian husky kennel based out of BC Canada that sells "how to" manuals on making your own harnesses/booties and also has very cool sleddog pics!
http://www.fastrk.freeservers.com/
How to measure your dog for a harness
http://www.nordkyn.com/fit.htm
Howling Dog Alaska - Mushing supplies, racing kennel, bed & breakfast -- distributor of ManMat harnesses in US and Canada
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com/
KickBike Scooters
http://www.kickbikeamerica.com/shop/
Mushing Innovations - US Distributor for German-made Fritz Dyck 3- and 4-wheel training carts.
http://www.mushinginnovations.com/
Nooksack Racing Supply
http://www.nooksackracing.com
Nordkyn Outfitters - Great resource for a variety of different types of harnesses
http://www.nordkyn.com
Resha Sled Dog Equipment - Long time maker of dog sleds and dogsledding gear
http://www.reshaequip.com/index.html
Risdon Rigs - One of the more popular builders of sleds and training carts
http://www.risdonrigs.com
Ruffwear - Outdoor doggy gear including backpacks (expensive but IMHO, well made and well thought out)
http://www.ruffwear.com
Sierra Kennels - Idaho based company that builds 4-wheeled training carts as well as weight-pulling carts.
http://www.sierrakennel.com/
Skijoring Outfitters - Oregon-based company focused on skijoring gear, includes an informative skijoring basics page
http://www.skijoringoutfitters.com/
Steel Dog - Another UK-made lightweight racing rig
http://www.steeldog.co.uk/
Taiga Mushing Supplies - Maker of Taiga harnesses
http://www.mushingsupplies.com/index.html
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