Husky Dogsled Party | Dogsled Huskies

Husky Dogsled Party | Dogsled Huskies

Husky Dogsled Party | Dogsled Huskies  Huskies are large energetic dogs.  In order to keep them under control, the owner must be the “alpha”.  Notice how Jake & Elwood are totally calm; although just off camera are a dozen huskies getting ready to pull a dogsled making lots of noise.  Well trained Huskies can be very rowdy, running and jumping, one moment and very calm, being careful not to hurt a baby, the next.  Today, Jake & Elwood are ready to go dog sledding on this beautiful, snowy day.  To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Husky Dogsled Party | a 7 Image Story.

Husky Dogsled Party | a 7 Image Story

Husky Dogsled Party | Dogsled HuskiesHusky Dogsled Party | a 7 Image Story  Each year in January or February, the Free Spirit Siberian Rescue organization hosts a Husky Dogsled event in northern Illinois, with Huskies galore.  Jake and Elwood have gone for the past several years.  They love to run and play in the snow.  They would rather be outside running, playing, working, or just taking a nap in the snow than anything else, except possibly eating.  Elwood has different colored eyes, a fairly common Husky trait.  Although grey and white colors are common in Huskies like Jake, they really come in many color combinations including pure white.

Although it was a beautiful day with intermittent sun and snow showers, the trail had not been groomed like they typically are for races, so the dogs had to break a new trail in the snow.  Rescued Huskies coming to the event can run as part of a dogsled team.   As natural sled pullers, Huskies instinctively know they should pull the sled with other Huskies in their new pack.  When the harnessed dogs are being attached to the sled, they are very excited; barking, jumping, and talking “Husky”.  As soon the musher calls “mush”, the dogs all become quiet and start pulling the sled.  As soon as the sled stops, they go back to barking and howling.

Several dogs in the team were newcomers to dog sledding.  That’s Jake and Elwood in the center of the pack.  This outing was their first time pulling a dogsled and they ran beautifully.  Of course, they were in the middle of the pack.  The lead dogs are the most experienced and the specially trained to be lead dogs.  What many folks don’t know is that the last two dogs are specially trained to be the “wheel dogs.”   Of course, wheel dogs are also the primary view for sled riders.

Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Husky Dogsled Party.

Click any image below for a slide show!