Husky racing
The Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain annually holds one of its rallies at Pembrey Country Park and this year the two day rally starts on 11 February.
The Siberian Husky was the sled dog of the Chukchi People of Siberia. It was expected to travel quickly for long distances, pulling a moderate load in low temperatures. A lifestyle which produced a breed of dog which retained the pack living and nurturing attributes of a wolf, while being unaggressive and affectionate towards humans.
Lack of snow means a sled is exchanged for a three wheel rig, the dog team is then hitched by the means of a central rope known as a ‘gangline’. Each dog wears an individually fitted harness of lightweight nylon webbing which is padded around the neck and shoulders.
The dogs love to race, and as the start of the race approaches the air vibrates with the sound of barking and howls as they strain in their harnesses to be off. The Musher will stand on the rig, the lead dog takes charge and the exhilarating journey begins. The trail includes grassy flat runs, some sand and windy tracks that cut across the forestry roads.
It is certainly an exciting sport to watch, the dogs are magnificent friendly bundles of energy and it can also be addictive. So beware, as many of the participants started out owning a Husky as a pet, then got involved in the racing and before they knew it they ended up with their own team!
