Origins
Dogs were highly valued companions for tribal people in early North America. The animals were used for hunting, tracking, protection and dragging whale meat across sea ice.
Dogs
Alaskan and Siberian Huskies have historically been used in dog sledding.
First Race
The first formal dog sled race, the All Alaska Sweepstakes, ran 408 miles from Nome to Candle, Alaska, and back in 1908. Driver John Hegness won, with a time of 119 hours, 15 minutes and 12 seconds.
Government Use
By 1873, Royal Canadian Mounted Police were delivering mail and government oversight to far northern areas.
Mercy Mission
In 1925, dog sleds made history for saving a town. Nome, a remote town, was hit by a deadly diphtheria outbreak, and with no roads or adequate access for airplanes, the situation was desperate. Dog sleds were used to transport serum 670 miles from Anchorage to Nome in just six days.
Article Written By Liz Veloz
Liz Veloz is a writer, scientist and college teacher living in Madison, Wis. Her science, travel and adventure writing has appeared in numerous literary journals and other publications. Veloz holds a doctorate in the biological sciences and a Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Davis.
