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.
What
it takes to be a musher....
KIDS...Got more Questions?
Just Ask Zorro ...Now
that Zorro has retired from dog racing, he has plenty of
time to answer all those questions about sled dogs, the
Iditarod and racing . We spent all summer teaching Zorro
how to use a computer, he's getting pretty good at pawing
through the keys.
