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Mushing terminology/dictionary |
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Written by pet-diet.com
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Saturday, 30 September 2006 |
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Brush up on your mushing terminology by browsing our list of commonly used mushing and sled dog race words.
- Alaskan husky: a northern dog of mixed breed, usually used to denote those bred for racing.
- Basket: the main body of a sled, where passengers or gear may be carried.
- Booties:
slippers for dogs, worn while working under certain conditions to
prevent ice forming between their toes. Made of a wide range of
fabrics, including fleece and Gore-tex.
- Brushbow: the curved piece out in front of the main body of a sled, designed to stop brush from damaging the sled.
- Dog Bag:
a fabric bag carried on a race sled, used to put a sick or injured dog
into in order to carry him to a place where he can be cared for.
- Dog Box:
a carrier for several dogs, most often seen as a wooden structure in
the bed of a pickup truck. Styles vary widely, but usually built with
individual sections that hold one or two dogs each.
- Driving Bow: the handle that the musher holds on to - also called a Handlebow.
- Easy!: the command for the dogs to slow down.
- Gangline: the main line that the dogs and sled are attached to.
- Gee: the command for the dogs to turn right.
- Handler: a person who assists the musher.
- Harness: a webbing of fabric that fits a dog snugly, to which the Tugline and Neckline are attached.
- Haw: the command for the dogs to turn left.
- Hike!: the command to get the dog team moving.
- Husky: in common usage, any northern breed dog - properly, a Siberian Husky.
- Iditarod: most famous for the name of a competitive sled dog race, but also has native meanings
- Lead Dogs:
the dog or dogs in the front of a team. These dogs are noted for their
high level of intelligence and drive, and are often females. May be run
as Single lead (1 dog) or Double lead (2 dogs).
- Mush!: many people think this is the term used to get a team going - Hike! is most commonly used.
- Musher: a person who drives a sled dog team - also called a Dog Driver.
- Neckline: a short line (10-12 inches) attached to the Harness and Gangline, that keeps the dog in line.
- On By!: the command to go by another team or other distraction.
- Pedaling: pushing with one foot while keeping the other on the sled.
- Point Dogs: used by some mushers to denote the two dogs right behind the Lead Dogs. Others call them Swing Dogs.
- Rigging: all the gear used to attach dogs to a sled.
- Runners:
the narrow pieces of wood that a sled rides on. Usually have a
replaceable plastic layer to reduce maintenance. The runners extend
behind the Basket so the Musher can stand on them.
- Safety Line: an extra line from the Gangline to the sled, in case the main fitting breaks.
- Snow Hook: a large metal hook that can be driven into firm snow to anchor a team for a short period of time without tying them.
- Snub Line:
a rope attached to the back of the sled, which can be tied to a tree to
hold the team when the snow is not firm enough to use a Snow Hook.
- Stakeout:
a main chain with separate short chains to attached several dogs to.
May be strung between the front and back bumpers of a truck, or between
two trees.
- Stanchions: the upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled.
- Swing Dogs:
depending on which musher you're talking to, either the two dogs
directly behind the Lead Dogs, or those between the Point Dogs and the
Wheel Dogs.
- Tack: harnesses.
- Team Dogs: all dogs other than the Lead Dogs, Point Dogs, Swing Dogs and Wheel Dogs.
- Toboggan: a sled with a flat bottom instead of runners. Used when deep, soft snow is expected instead of a good trail.
- Tuglines: the main line that connects the dog's harness to the Gangline - the line that the dog tugs on.
- Village Dogs: a derogatory term for poorly socialized dogs of unknown breeding.
- Wheel Dogs: the two dogs right in front of the sled. These will normally be the heaviest dogs in the team.
- Whoa: the command to get the dog team to stop.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 17 November 2006 )
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