Not just another pretty face

Discover the magic of dogsledding.

Some of you may be asking “what makes dogsledding so popular?”  The answer is simple and it has nothing to do with the landscape, the trails, the guides, the sleds you drive or the temperature  .  The magic of dogsledding comes down to one thing and that is the DOGS!!!!  While there are several different breeds of huskies that you will find pulling sleds on your tour, the large Malamute husky, the smaller Siberian Husky and most common today the mixed breed called the Alaskan Husky, they all have the same amazing desire to run and explore.  To see what great adventure awaits around the next bend in the trail.  The heart, spirit & passion of the husky is truly astounding, there is no greater athlete on the planet!

For anyone who is a dog lover how can you not be won over by a team of 3-8 huskies begging for your attention? Just waiting to lean in for a pat & hug or to give you a kiss, almost all huskies are big loveable teddy bears who adore attention!

Before you try your hand at dogsledding there are some Hollywood myths that should be dispelled:

  1. “Mush”, as neat as it sounds to say, you only hear this in movies.  If you dogsled you are a musher, but usually the command to start a team is “hike” or a special word or whistle that mushers use.
  2. You won’t go “flying” down the trail, most tours and huskies after the initial excitement of the start of the run settle down to a gentle trot that they can maintain all day.
  3. The term to stop a team of dogs is “whoa”, however on its own with most dogteams you can holler whoa on the back of the sled all day and the dogs will grin at you as they keep going.  Huskies love going, not stopping so you will need the brake on your sled in addition to your voice to get them to stop!

lunch-break-winterdance-dogsled-tours-full-day-tour

 

About Tanya McCready

Since 1999, Tanya and her husband Hank have shared their passion for dogsledding. Their race team competes in the Yukon Quest 1000-mile International Sled Dog Race & Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.  The couple, their four children and 150 Siberian Huskies love introducing worldwide guests to the amazing adventure of dogsledding and the beautiful Canadian wilderness.

Recommended Articles

11 Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful Landscapes

Don't miss the splendours of Northern Ontario

Crown Land Camping

What it is and where you can camp in Ontario.

Natural Highs

7 magnificent mountains in Ontario to climb, hike, ride, ski and more.

2024 Triathalons

Swim, cycle and run your way to triathlete status at these Ontario events.

The Best Camping In Ontario

Discover the best car-camping and backcountry locations.

Ontario Trail Races

Find out where to test your limits and get out in the woods.

Backpacking Trails in Ontario

7 multi-day hiking trips to the province’s most beautiful places.

Explore Ontario’s Hidden Gems

18 destinations you need to visit.

Attention Detroit

A short drive gets you a lot of vacation fun in Ontario, Canada

Hike The Best Trails

Discover your next great adventure.

Beach Camping in Ontario

14 sandy places to pitch your tent and swim to your heart’s content.

Go Foraging in Ontario

Learn the basics of how to harvest wild edibles found across the province.

Ontario Birding Checklist

Keep an eye on the skies for these 10 incredible species.

Ontario's Other Camping Option

10 best private campgrounds in the province.

Incredible Swimming in Ontario

12 best destinations to take a summer dip.

6 Best Places To Camp On Manitoulin

Book a campsite as your base to roam this chill oasis.

Activities in Muskoka

Your ultimate guide for things to do year-round.

Dogs Welcome!

Top dog-friendly resorts.

Insider’s Guide to Sleeping Giant

Everything you need to plan a trip to this iconic provincial park.

Ontario's Best Family Resorts

Your trip planning starts here.