FAQ
What is Skijoring?
Skijoring originated in Scandinavia and the word translates into English as ’ski-driving.’ It’s commonly known as mushing without all the extras. All you need to skijor is a pair of cross-country skis, harness, belt, line and most importantly, a dog. It’s a sport that can be enjoyed by one and all on many levels, from a woodsy adventure with the family dog, to fun runs, to all-out competitive racing.
What kind of dog do I need?
Most people think you need a Northern Breed of dog like a Husky or Malamute – when in fact many other breeds can enjoy skijoring. Most Northern Breeds take to it very easily – but almost any dog over 35 pounds or so can participate. To get your dog ready, start training him as early as you can, but do not let him pull you until he’s about two years old. A dog is still growing and fragile up until this age. If you start him earlier, you may see some problems arise in later years.
What kind of skis do I need?
You need some skis. ‘Which kind?’ you ask – it depends. Skijorers use different skis in different conditions. Skate skis are best for racing along on groomed trails and touring skis or back-country work best in less optimum conditions. Just start with what’s comfortable for you and your dog, and perhaps rent different types to try-out as you both improve. The only skis I don’t recommend are metal-edged, as they could hurt your dog. **Be sure never to run into your dog with your skis the first few times out. If he becomes frightened of them, you may find he will never skijor with you again.
Another advantage of skijoring is the fact you can do it in the summer. I live in the city, and have found a wonderful way to navigate this concrete jungle with my dog. Though I started out with a skateboard and a leash, I’ve recently graduated to a road-skijorer. Simply replace the cross-country skis with a solid pair of in-line skates, and you too will be able to navigate the streets. (It’s good to have your dog ‘gee-haw’ trained for street-mushing!!) I’ve also seen dogs pulling bicycles with their lines attached below the handlebars.
Where can I find equipment?
Other than a dog and some skis, you’ll need to set aside about $80 – $130 (Canadian) to get some proper skijoring gear. What you’ll need is a harness, a skijoring belt or rock-climbing belt, and a skijor line. The harness should be an X-back harness as opposed to one of those cheapy walking harnesses you see around. The X-back is made for a sled dog and designed not to cause him any discomfort. A good skijoring belt is a must. It allows your hands to be freed up for poles or in the case of steet-mushing, balance. It should be at least 6″ thick in the back to cover enough vertabre in your spine. Any thinner and you may find you suddenly have back problems. A solid skijor line is a wonderful item as well. They are designed with a peice of bungee at your end to absorb the shock of starting and stopping suddenly. Also, the line should have a quick-release snap (or panic-snap) so you can detach from your dog in a hurry if the need arises. Without this feature you might be apt to run him down on a long decline.
Where do you find all this good stuff? Specialty dog-mushing shops. I had to order mine in, and found the best price in the Canadian Prairies. The shop I’d recommend is Prairie Dog Supply in Manitoba.