“Dog Mushing is the official sport of Alaska- the practice of using dogs to pull sleds and have been used for thousands of years.”

National Geographic Kids 5,000 Awesome Facts, 2015

Before I researched this I was not aware that every state has a “state sport.” For instance, surfing is California’s state sport, Hawaii has out rigged canoe paddling, Maryland has jousting, and Texas has the rodeo. Pickle ball now is Washington’s state official sport. Alaska has dog mushing.

Dog mushing is the sport of a dog or more pulling something, like a cart, and is usually for sport or for transport. The difference of mushing and dog sledding is quite simple. When being “mushed” by the “musher” it turns into dog sledding whenever what is being pulled is a sled. That’s why I’m not clear on sledding vs mushing. It seems it is the same thing, kinda, right?

The term “mushing” actually comes from a French verb “marcher” in where it means to walk. Voyageurs from the 1800’s probably came up with that term as the traveled throughout North America for land and food, according to Wikipedia. Some people think “mush” is shouted out to dogs but that is just popular belief. The term “mush” is way too soft in the syllables and sounds to really make an impact on the dog. “MUSH!” is just too mushy.

There are ethical questions about this state sport, for some say the dogs are whipped and ones that don’t make the mark are culled and chained, something I wasn’t made aware of until now. But because I’ve never witnessed or been a dog musher I feel I don’t have the educational backing in regards to whatever side of the fence I can say I am. That is something that should require further research for I am only reporting what the Alaska state sport is.

However, there is something that is called “Urban Mushing,” which is something that sparked my interest. It’s a method of exercising high energy dogs where Alaska is not so easily accessible. (Hello Charley Waffle!) There are different kinds of urban mushing, such as the Canicross, the Bikejoring, Scootering, and carting. Oh, there is also Skatejoring. This has all been taken from the website, HTTP//www.k9ofmine.com, which I found very enjoyable and informative. I’ll go over the basics but if looking for more information, please check out the website.

Canicross is kind of like it sounds, where the sled is actually a person running while the dog pulls. A canine cross-a-thon. (Made that one up.) That doesn’t sound too fun, and many people are trying not to have their dogs pull. But, if running is the name of the game there are certain leashes that can be bought that are hands-free and can be latched on your belt providing the runner and the pull-ee miles of fun.

The next two, Bikejoring and Scootering is a bit what it sounds like. Having your dog run in front of you, actually pulling you, can be accomplished with a couple retrofits to your bike and a certain kind of leash. I’ve even seen 2 dogs pull one person on a bike, and it looks like a yoke on oxen but miniature size for dogs. If mountain bike riding is your thing and those hills prove a bit of a pain, grab your canine and get them yoked up to help ride up those steep mountain trails. Scootering though is not really a mountain bike sport, but to give your dog exercise while you follow along a scooter is a great thing to be pulled on, just as a skateboard or roller-blades (Skatejoring) but I believe those take somewhat of a skill.

The only thing I’ve tried with Charley is the Bikejoring, but without the fancy leash and retrofit. She wasn’t quite sure what to think about it as I was riding high above her as she kept looking back at me not quite knowing what was going on. I didn’t want to ride faster than her, nor did I want to run her over, so in a matter of not even a mile my bike locked up and the Bikejoring experience was over. Oh well. Maybe I guess I’ll have to go back to the Canicross, where I can pretend I’m enjoying a little pull along in the morning or afternoon as I jog behind her.

I’ve not tried carting, which is starting to sound more up my alley. Because of my lack of car, I am always making continuous treks to the grocery store only to have to carry back a few bags of groceries. If I could buy one of those cool carts I see people have when pulling their kids or groceries, then maybe I could hook Charley up to that, make her feel she is doing a “job”, and go to the grocery store where she can “cart” back our groceries. Hey, that’s a good job, Charley!

If I happen to get a cart I will definitely write about our experiences for I believe my little Australian Shepherd/Collie/Cyborg would absolutely love the experience.

I think the carting with Charley will end up like the picture above!