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| Mushing Terminology "How to speak Mush" |
| Alaskan Husky - A northern dog most commonly used in Alaska for mushing. These dogs are a mixed breed of Siberian Husky and any number of other breeds to obtain the characteristics desired for a successful distance sleddog ATV - All Terrain Vehicle (4 wheeler) used to begin training dogs early in the season before the snow begins to accumulate Basket - The main body of a sled where passengers or gear may be carried Booties - A type of sock that is made to protect the dogs feet during bad snow conditions or icy conditions to prevent abrasions on their pads or ice from forming between their toes. These are made from various materials such as polar fleece, varying weights of cordura or gore-tex with velcro at the top Brake - A device with metal prongs attached to a bar that swivels up and down. It is stepped on with a boot to hold a team from moving forward. These are either made of steel or carbide. Best used for holding the team rather than stopping the team Bridle - The part of the sled where the dogs are attached by a gangline. It allows control of the sled while driving it. The dogs gangline is attached to a loop at the center of the bridle with a carabiner or by interlocking the end loops Brusbow - The curved piece out front of the main body of a sled designed to stop brush from damaging the sled Bungy - A loop of a thick heavy stretchable material that connects the gangline to the bridle. This absorbs shock to prevent injuries to the dogs shoulders when pulling. It is often equipped with a safety line in case it breaks. Come Gee! or Come Haw! - Commands for 180 degree turns either Right or Left Cooker - An aluminum device with a burner in the bottom that is filled with Heet (methanol). There is a pot that rests on top which is used to melt snow or heat water to feed the dogs on the trail. Also used to heat the mushers food. While the snow melts and the water heats, the musher drops their vacuum packed meal into the water to heat. They will feed the dogs first and then feed themselves. Snow or water are the only things ever put into the cookers. Food is never placed in the cooker. Cooler - A plastic insulated container used to soak the dogs meals. The kibble is placed into the cooler along with any additives, supplements or meat. Hot water is then added to the meal to make a nice rich stew for the dogs. Once it's ready, it is scooped into dog food bowls and the dogs have a nice hearty warm meal on the trail for their hard work and to replenish their energy stores Dog Bag - A fabric bag carried in a race sled, used to put a sick or injured dog into in order to carry it safely to a place where it can be cared for Dog Box - A carrier for several to many dogs, most often seen as a wooden structure on the bed or chassis of a pickup truck. Styles vary widely but usually built with individual sections that hold one or two dogs each Dog Driver - A person who drives a sled dog team - Also called a Musher Dog in Basket - Tired or injured dog carried securely in the sled bag, usually in a dog bag so that it does not climb or fall out of the sled Double Lead - Two dogs who lead the team side by side Drag Pad - A piece of snowmachine track of conveyor belt held between the runners and the mushers feet with plastic, metal or cable. Helps to slow the team without tearing grooves in the trail. It is stepped on with either the heel or complete foot to slow the team. It is also used to help steer the sled around turns or to move the sled over on the trail. Sometimes they are fitted with bolts at the rear of the pad for more speed control on steep downhill sections of trail or for slowing larger teams Driving Bow - The handle that mushers hold on to, also called a Handlebow Drop Lines / Stakeouts / Pickets - Cable or chain extended between two trees or between extended outriggers on the front and back of the dog truck. There are multiple cables that drop down in intervals. Dogs are hooked to them when traveling so they can be fed, stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Also used when camping, strung between trees, so they can sleep. Dropped Dog - A dog that the musher has dropped from his/her team at a checkpoint during a race. The dog is cared for at the checkpoint until it is flown home or picked up by the dog handler Easy! - Command for the dogs to slow down, usually accompanied by light pressure on the drag pad Gangline - The main line that the dogs and sled are attached to (also called Towline or Mainline) Gee! - Command for right turn Handlebow - (handlebar) the cross piece between the stanchions that the musher holds on to in order to drive the sled Handler - A person who helps out in a dog kennel, also assists the musher at a checkpoint during a race by picking up dropped dogs and gear or raking up straw left behind by the team when they are back on the trail Haw! - Command for left turn Heet - Methanol based fuel used by mushers in their cook stoves on the trail Hike! Allright! Let's Go! - Commands to start the team. Often the musher says "ready?" first to get the dogs attention letting them know a command is coming, then Hike! or Let's Go! Husky - Any northern breed dog Lead Dogs (or Leaders) - Dog who runs in front of the team taking commands from the musher. Must be intelligent and fast Leader Hook - A smaller version of the snowhook used to attach to the gangline behind the leaders (NEVER to the leaders necks) to hold the team in a "line out" position while hooking up the team. It is really too much to expect 2 lead dogs to hold out an entire jumping pulling excited dog team while hooking them up. This hook is attached via a cable to prevent the dogs from chewing through it. It can be left in the kennel (for a short run) or carried in the sled to be used later when hooking up the dogs on an overnight trip Line Out! - Command to lead dog(s) to pull the team straight out from the sled. Used mostly while hooking up dogs into the team or unhooking them but may be used while stopping on the trail to snack or fix a tangle. This command works better when the entire team understands the concept Malamute - Large northern breed often used for traplines and for hauling freight Mush - Sport of running a team of dogs. Interestingly, this is NOT a command to start the team (although that is a common misconception) Musher - A person who drives a sled dog team - Also called a Dog Driver Neck Line - Line that connects a dogs collar to the towline in the team or to another lead dog "Oh S*^T" - An exclamation with many causes but only one meaning. Something is not right!!! The dogs understand this as well On By! - Command to go by another team or other distraction (including wildlife) Outside - Anyplace in the lower 48 states. "Outside" of Alaska Overflow - When the ice gets so thick that the water has nowhere to go, it pushes up and over the ice. This overflow can get a thin layer of ice when the temperature drops which the dogs and sled can break through and get wet. If it is not frozen your boots will get wet so water repellent boots are important. When this happens it is important to stop and remove any wet dog booties if they are wearing them, as soon as you are clear of the water, so they do not freeze on the dogs feet Pacing - Leading a team with some sort of motorized vehicle that sets the "pace" at a specific speed Pedaling - Pushing the sled with one foot while the other remains on a runner. Also called kicking Picket Line - A cable of variable length with drops of cable every 2 feet or so to attach to a dog during a camping trip for overnight. This keeps the dogs separate and also keeps them from chewing on the gear of the sled and gangline while we're sleeping Point Dogs - Used by some mushers to denote the two dogs right behind the Lead Dogs. Others call them Swing Dogs Rigging - Collection of lines to which the dogs are attached. Includes towline (gangline), tuglines and neck lines Rookie - A musher who is running a sled or a race for the first time or who has never completed a particular race regardless of their experience level Runners - The two bottom pieces of the sled that come in contact with the snow. They extend back of the basket of toboggan for the driver (musher) to stand on. Runners are usually wood or aluminum covered with changeable plastic to allow gliding over the snow without too much drag. This plastic is changeable and comes in several types Safety Line - An extra line from the gangline to the sled (often connected with the bungy) in case the bungy breaks Siberian Husky - Medium sized northern breed dog recognized by various Kennel Clubs. This dog is a pure breed SIRIUS Dogsled Adventures - The best place to go for dogsled rides, tours and overnight trips... mushing school and good plain fun!!! Slats - Thin strips of wood that make up the bottom of a basket style sled Snacks - Any treat given to the dogs while out on the trail. Often containing fats (in colder weather) or other additives, meat, fish or rice to replenish the dogs energy stores. Mushers have their own recipies and tricks for making delicious snacks for their dogs Snow Hook (or Ice Hook) - Heavy piece of metal attached to the gangline and sled. It is embedded into firm packed snow or hooked around a tree to hold the team and sled for short periods of time Snub Line - Rope attached to the gangline and sled that is used to tie the sled to a tree or other object Stake / Post - A metal or wooden post driven into the ground to teather a dog Stanchions - Upright pieces that attach the runners to the sled Swing Dogs - Dog that runs directly behind the leader(s). His job is to help "swing" the team in the turns or curves Team Dogs - Any dog other than Lead, Swing or Wheel Termination Dust - The first snow that covers the top of the mountains in the fall. So called because this is a sign of the termination of summer in Alaska Toboggan - A sled with a flat bottom (usually a sheet of UMHW plastic) instead of a basket. Used when deeper soft snow is expected or when carrying heavier loads Trail! - A request spoken loudly in order to be heard by the musher in front, for right of way on the trail Tug Line - Line that connects the dogs harness to the towline (gangline). The line that the dog "tugs" on when running Wheel Dogs - Dogs placed directly in front of the sled. Their job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees They are strong yet agile. Also, they don't always perform this task but ideally it's what we'd like to avoid running into trees. Good sled driving also assists with avoiding this problem Whoa! - Command used to halt the team, accompanied by heavy pressure on the brake or drag pad. It is best to use the drag pad to avoid tearing up the trail. The brake can be used to hold the team once stopped. Sometimes used as "whoa damnit" or "whoa damnit what part of whoa don't you understand?". These are often spoken in a loud tone while the musher is dragging down the trail holding onto the handlebow to avoid losing their team and having to walk home! (sometimes mistaken by the team to mean "go faster":-) Note: There are various other colorful commands that mushers use when the dogs forget (or ignore) the commands they are supposed to follow. It should be thoroughly understood that as dogs are not driven with reins, but by spoken commands, the leaders of the team must understand all that is said to them and guide the others accordingly. An intelligent leader is therefore an absolute necessity. At times it appears that there is ESP between musher and lead dog. Don't be surprised if you hear a musher have an in-depth conversation with his/her lead dogs. You will see that both musher and dog are participating and understanding each other. |
