Working our Alaskan Malamutes

In the UK the lack of snow is not a problem due to the invention of the three (or sometimes four) wheeled racing rig. Teams from a single dog to an eight dog team are found racing all over the country each winter between the end of October and March.

There are many rallies organised by a number of groups that you can normally find one relatively close to home to compete in. However the annual pilgrimage to the Siberian Husky club Aviemore race takes us all up to Scotland each January.

Malamutes were bred to pull heavy loads over long distances – their strength is their endurance rather than their speed. Much of the racing in this country is timed over short three or four mile courses, not really what this breed was intended for.

My favourite day of the year is the 15 mile trek up in Scotland through the mountains. This is much more aligned to the original purpose of this breed.

Having said that – the various clubs in this country run some excellent races and it is a great way to meet people and learn about the breed as well as the other sled dogs varieties. You can normally see Siberian Huskies as well as Eskimo dogs at these rallies.

Sasha and Tia racing at Kings Forest