Sledding Eskies

Have you ever seen eskies pulling sleds? Wonder what it looks like? Well, here are some of my favorite photos taken by my eskie friend, Roben Feldhaus, who lives up in Minnesota. She was kind enough to let me post her pics on my blog. Roben is a breeder and is the owner of the eskies in the following pictures.

Roben Feldhaus, Whytepine American Eskimos says:

The American Eskimo is a versatile breed. Recreational dog sledding is both fun and a great way to get the dogs in shape. Because they have a small, compact body, custom making the harness for each dog is a must. The gang line connecting the dogs to the sled is also custom made to fit the smaller dogs with a lighter line and smaller clips.

The sled is homemade from my own pattern and old downhill snow skiis are used as runners. They are wider and provide a 'snowshoe' effect when moving through deeper snow. The sled is also very light weight, only 22 lbs. Because most of the dogs have been taught to 'stand & stay' so a snow hook is not used to anchor the sled while hooking them up. This year, a foot break will be added to the sled.

After spending the hot summer months laying around the house in air conditioned comfort, longer walks are needed to toughen up the pads of their feet. Then we move to hooking them on the front of a mountain bike and pick up the speed with just a little resistance.




Once the snow has a good base on some of the logging roads and snowmobile/ATV trails, then we build up the weight and distance. We will run for about 2 miles, some of it fast, some of it at a walk. Then we stop, unhook the dogs from the gang line and let them play and roll in the snow. This is only done with the dogs that consistantly 'come when called'. Others that are not so reliable are put on retractable-leashes.

Roben Feldhaus, Whytepine American Eskimos; (l to r) Wookie, Angel, Ranger, Rewind

When playtime is over, they hear the command "Hook Up!" and one at a time, come back to the line to get connected. With the command of "Hike!" they're off again.

When the 2 mile run back to the truck is done, the dogs get to play in the snow again while the sled is put in the back of the truck and the gang line is coiled up for the next time. These are probably the only sled dogs that ride IN the truck, not in a box on the back! As one musher told me on the trail, "They might not be the fastest team, but they sure are the best dressed and cutest team!"




Hmmmm.... this got my walnut-sized brain thinking. I wonder if the tail (get it, tale?) of Santa Claus and his reindeer is only half true. My secret discovery is that Roben might be the real Santa Claus, and her eskies are the so-called reindeer. Hee hee! Makes sense, doesn't it -- doggies can deliver much happiness to people.