Dog Sledding Adventures of a Welland Vet

This winter  Main West Animal Hospital’s very own Dr. Aron Bhan and Dr. Nicole Denouden experienced the thrill of dog sledding in the Canadian Rockies and can’t say enough about it!!!

Sled dogs are one of the true original Canadian dog breeds, strong, fast and energetic and they absolutely love to run.  Sled dogs are powerful and willing working dogs that pull dogsleds in the winter months in teams of 6 to 14 dogs.  Dogsleds were the main mode of Arctic transportation for thousands of years and continue to be used frequently in remote areas of the north.

Dr. Aron Bhan says “I was completely impressed with how well the dogs were cared for and how much they loved what they do.  These dogs sometimes run 50-60 km a day without tiring.  They will rest for a minute and be raring to go, you literally have to stop them from running away with the sled!!!”

Dr. Nicole Denouden says ” It was amazing and surprisingly difficult to drive the dog sled.  The power these dogs have is incredible and they work so well together as a team.  A the lead dogs drive the way forward and the rest follow… you’ve got to work hard not to fall off the back of the sled or you’ll have a heck of a time trying to catch them!!! ”

Dr. Bhan says ” I’m not sure I’ll be getting my own dog sled team together anytime soon, it’s a ton of work.  I might try some skijoring this winter with my dogs at Shorthills Provincial Park though”

Sounds like a great time!!!  For more information on dog sledding check out  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_sledding

for more information on Skijoring please visit  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skijoring