October to March is working
season. Events take place across the country, organised by several sled
dog associations and clubs.
Working
Rallies and Dog Sledding
In our climate, dog sledding
involves the use of three wheeled "rigs" in what is called "dryland"
racing. Rally trails usually cover between 2 and 5 miles depending on
the weather. Malamutes run in what is called a "freight" class
which is for recognised sled dog breeds other than Siberian Huskies.
These classes reflect the differences in function between Huskies and other
breeds. Malamutes are slower but steadier than Huskies and could not
compete over short distances.
Many
people still believe, however, that Malamutes should not be used in this type
of short course "racing" at all and that their true function is
reflected and tested more by taking part in events such as weight pull or
backpacking. We believe that the dogs love their work and that, as long as
Malamute Mushers maintain the element of fun for their dogs and do not become
over competitive in rally situations, and as long as the breeders do not alter
breed type in order to produce Malamutes which are more able to compete in the
shorter, speed races, then working is an ideal activity for dog and owner
which not only offers excellent physical and mental stimulation and exercise,
but also provides a brilliant social scene with friendly and knowledgeable
people, always willing to offer help and advice on the breed and also the
working aspect of life with our wonderful breed.
We
enter a fairly limited number of rallies each year but continue to enjoy our
training throughout the winter months. The rallies we have entered in
recent seasons have been in a mixture of the one dog scooter classes and the
two dog freight using friends dogs to allow us both to enjoy the competition.
rally
results
We are members of several rally organisations which run events over
the winter months.
Siberian
Husky Club of Great Britain
Scottish
Siberian Husky Club
Sled
Dog Association of Scotland
Weight
Pull
Weight-pull competitions
are becoming more popular again now
also. This is where a dog is required to pull either a sled or a wheeled
trolley over a set distance, with increasing amounts of weight being
added. This event requires the dogs to be wearing a properly fitted
freighting or weight pull harness.
This is a much
more popular event in the US where weight pull titles are offered along side
working pack dog, working team dog and lead dog titles.
Events now being organised in the UK are enabling dogs to gain their
Alaskan Malamute Club Of America Working Weight Pull Dog Certification.
This requires a dog to pull more than 12 times it's own bodyweight (when on a
man made surface) in 4 separate events run under strict rules . The
first four UK Malamutes gained this certificate in April 2008 and included our
very own Chena and Sika along with Chena's Mum Cassey and Uncle Kodi.
weight
pull results
There is also a more challenging
level of certification, the Excellent, in all of the working dog
disciplines which requires a much greater level of ability from the
dogs. In order to gain a Working Weight Pull Dog Excellent Certificate a
dog must pull either 23, 21 or 19 times it's body weight, depending on the
weight of the dog. They must also be finishing in the top 3rd of their
class and there must be no more than 75% of the other dogs competing, pulling
the same weight. Chena has been living up to her pedigree and has become
the first in the UK to earn her Excellent Certificate (WWPDX).
AMCA
Working Titles Info
Snopeak
is an excellent one-stop-shop online
resource with links to all working organisations and working equipment web
sites.
see
more pictures
working pictures
weight-pull
pictures
Aviemore
2007 pictures
Aviemore
2008 pictures
