Dogged competitors are at an advantage when it comes to the sports of canicross and bikejoring.
Although they are relatively new sports in New Zealand, both dog-powered events are proving popular and were contested recently as part of a dry-land sled-dog race meeting in the Naseby Forest.
Organised by the Southern Regions Sled Dog Club, the weekend meeting attracted 50 to 60 dog drivers, or "mushers", along with about 150 dogs. Eight races made up the first day's programme and six the second day.
Events included bikejoring, where the dog is attached to a bike by a "gangline" fitted with a bungy, to help absorb the shock when the dog is pulling the bike. The line is attached to the dog's harness. The biker is permitted to pedal, but the dog must always stay in front of the bike.
Canicross is similar. The only difference is the dog is attached to a runner, who covers the course with the dog in front.
As with all the races, the competitors are timed over a certain distance, ranging from 7km to 1.8km for the junior classes, depending on the event.
"The sled-dog clubs have identified these events - bikejoring and canicross in particular - as a good way to introduce dog owners to dog-powered sport," New Zealand Federation of Sled Dog Sports president Bob Storey said.
About 400 people nationwide were involved in sled-dog sports, joining one of the 13 affiliated clubs - six in the South Island - which focused on the sport, he said.
Mention sled-dog racing and the image most people conjure up is of traditional races using teams of dogs on snow.
However, the dry-land form of the sport, using wheeled sleds or "rigs" on forest roads, is far more common.
The dry-land sport has also diversified to include scooter events, where mushers follow their dogs on modified scooters.
"That's another way clubs have been very proactive in encouraging the greatest amount of participation," Mr Storey said.
The sport is no longer the domain of just the arctic breeds of dog.
"Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds all feature, but so do Labradors, pointers, Dalmatians, huntaways, Staffy-Lab crosses; in fact any medium-sized dog can compete.
"The fun of this sport is it isn't gender or age-selective and the dogs, they just really love it."
Mr Storey is based in Christchurch and became involved 12 years ago after showing his Siberian Husky dogs.
"Someone at a dog show said to me 'do you know you can race those things?' and we've been racing ever since."
He even spent two years in Alaska, competing in 320km-480km-distance sled-dog races and training for a 1600km race.
"It takes a while for you to train your dogs. For example, when you're running around a course, they have to run around a corner and they'd rather cut the corner and take the shorter distance. Working a team of dogs is another challenge but an intelligent driver builds up a bond and learns to read his animals.
"Training them four times a week, the dog starts to understand what you want and they read your body gestures."
Competitors range from those wanting to race the family's pet dog for fun, through to the more serious contenders, who compete overseas in professional races.
A national set of rules and guidelines is followed in this country, based on the international rules.
Dogs learned social skills through being involved in the sport, Mr Storey said.
"They learn manners and how to socialise, along with track etiquette. We don't have any dog fights."
Low temperatures are vital for this sport so the dogs do not overheat.
Southern regions club president Peter Johns, of Dunedin, said single-digit temperatures were ideal.
"If it's 13 degrees, it's too hot; the dog's welfare is of paramount importance."
The season lasts from May to October and the southern club covers Dunedin, North, South and Central Otago.
The club has the distinction of having organised the first dry-land sled-dog race in New Zealand, at Berwick Forest in 1986. The event is celebrated annually as "The Origin" race and it is now contested at the Naseby Forest.
Mr Johns said the club was grateful to Ernslaw for permitting the forestry tracks to be used for the race meeting.
"It's far safer for us to use these tracks than using a recreational area."
Competitor Karl Thomas, of Wallacetown, near Invercargill, races his Huskies - Blaze and Cynna.
"They love it so much. They get all excited as soon as you get the harnesses out."
Sled-dog racing
• Two forms - rig (wheeled) and sled (snow) racing.
• Rig racing is on dry land, using a wheeled rig or two-wheeled scooter.
• Dry-land racing events include canicross, bikejoring, dog scootering and dog freight.
• Conventional sled racing is carried out on snow.
• About 100 people are registered nationwide as competitive "mushers" (drivers).
• Generally associated with arctic breeds but any medium-size dogs can compete.
• Southern Regions Sled Dog Club covers Dunedin, North, South and Central Otago.
