Alaskan Huskies in Tromso, Norway Dog Sledding Was Not Just a Sport
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Alaskan Huskies in Tromso, Norway Dog sledding was not just a sport. It was a necessity for centuries, especially in colder regions of the world. According to archeologists, dog sledding goes back to around 1,000 AD. The natives and Inuit people of northern Canada were considered the first users of dogs for transportation. Hauling fire wood and other supplies was probably the first use. The sleds were much larger than today’s types. ‐outdoorworld.com Dog were even used by the military. Military.com noted that dogs were used in war since 600 BC. These were not sled dogs however. World War I and World War II used dog sleds in regions that prohibited mechanized vehicles. The Alaska Gold Rush proved to be a catalyst for dog sledding into snow‐bound regions. The usefulness of dog sledding was quickly adopted in Europe and other regions during the winter months. Dogs were less expensive than horses and more adept in hauling stuffs in very cold weather. Roald Amundsen, Norway’s famous explorer, used dog sleds to reach the south pole. As the use of dogs became popular, so did the sport increase. The first formal race, according to Hurtifruten.com, was in 1850. The first race in Nome, Alaska took place in 1908. Another Norwegian named Leonhard Seppala made history with his lead dog Balto that delivered life‐saving diphtheria medicine to Nome in 1918. The modern Iditarod began in 1967. ‐primaryfacts.com Norwegians, who were inspired by the Iditarod in Alaska, established the longest race in Europe, the ‘Finnmarkslopet’. This took place in 1981 and grew from three mushers to multiple tracks that cover 340 miles (550km) and 620 miles (1200km), respectively. The race in recent years has attracted as many as 120 mushers. A musher is someone who competes in a cross‐country race. ‐finnmarkslopet.no Tromso, Norway provided us with our dog sledding experience. Tromso is the largest city in northern Norway, 217 miles north of the Arctic Circle. There are over 75,000 people in the area. The Gulf Stream makes the area warmer than most in that area of the Arctic. There are approximately 5 million residents in Norway. According to statistica.com, there are 466,000 pet dogs in Norway. It is estimated that 18% of the population have dogs as pets, herders, watch‐dogs, hunting or uses for sledding. There are approximately 6,000 sled dogs in the Tromso area, according to a tour presenter. ‐statista.com There are several sled dog breeds. According to outdoordogworld.com, the Alaskan Husky is the most common breed used in sled racing. They are smaller than the Siberian Huskies, which are said to be part wolf and hard to train and control. Another breed which is larger than the Alaskan Husky is the Alaskan Malamute. They are heavier, have broad chests and tough feet. The Malamute is a good choice for long‐distance and heavier loads. In World War II, they delivered messages over long‐hauls. Other interesting facts: The Canadian Eskimo Dog came from the Thule people of Arctic Canada. Hunting dogs were bred for strength, not speed. Greenland dogs are a large breed of the Eskimo dog. Endurance over rough terrain is the Greenland dog’s forte. Samoyed dogs come from a Siberian descent. The Sami tribes use Samoyed dogs for herding, hunting and sledding. Their fur is snow white and fluffier looking than other dogs. They are prized, and many owners allow the dog to sleep in the same tent. Other dogs have also been used such as St. Bernard’s, but not as suitable for the Arctic area. Our visit to the Villmarkssenter (Wilderness Center) gave us an opportunity to learn about the dogs’ care, breeding, training and racing. Strict government rules, public awareness and owner management dictate how the dogs are treated throughout their life cycle. This photo program shares some photos of our visit. Sources: Tour and guide of Tromso Wilderness Centre, https://www.hurtigruten.com/must‐read‐articles/activities/history‐of‐dog‐sledding/, http://www.villmarkssenter.no/, http://www.hettahuskies.com/en, https://www.visitnorway.com/places‐to‐go/northern‐norway/tromso/, https://outdoordogworld.com/dog‐sledding‐history/, http://primaryfacts.com/3238/roald‐amundsen‐facts‐and‐information/, http://www.finnmarkslopet.no/home/https://www.military.com/undertheradar/2017/03/brief‐history‐dogs‐warfare and https://www.statista.com/statistics/515533/dog‐population‐europe‐norway/. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Tromso, Norway – Alaskan Husky Wilderness Center .