What Is Skijoring – Origins and Requirements

What Is Skijoring?

Summer is over, and you had fun with your dog over hiking and random walks and other fun outdoor activities. But now winter is here blowing its first frosty breaths threatening to come between the fun you’ve had with your dog. Outdoor and fun events don’t have to end with the first snowfall. If your dog is fit enough to spend long moments in the snow and you can trace a cross-country ski resort nearby, then you may have found your new winter activity for you and your dog. Skijoring!

Origin of Skijoring

Skijoring originates from Norway where it translates to ski driving. It is a combination of dog sledding and cross-country skiing. The dog will be fitted into a dog sledding harness, attached to a skijoring harness fitted by a human by a rope. The human will be empowered with poles and skis while the dog pulls the human. The activity does not limit the number of dogs involved in drawing the human could be one dog or a pack of dogs. As long as the dog weighs about 35 pounds with the right stamina, energy, and discipline to participate, all you will need is some basic training to have the ability to control the dog.

You don’t have to bear the skiing expertise to skijor. Your dog, on the other hand, doesn’t have to be a Northern breed like Husky to be content enough to participate. Since both you and your dog will be putting some effort during the skijoring activity, your dog doesn’t have to be huge. However, your dog needs to be motivated to run and have fun to make skijoring easy. You should invite the vet to check your dog for any health issues and to check if its fit.

Requirements

Apart from purchasing the right skiing gear, you will need harnesses both for you and your dog. For safety and health measures ensure that all your equipment is approved for dog skijoring use. Also, if the dog is thinner coated or short-haired, you may need to insulate your dog with a snug cover up to beat the chill while out in the snow.  Check online for sports overnight for skijoring harnesses and towlines. If you are ordering online, ensure that you have the right measurements for your dog. A proper fit is critical to your dog’s safety and comfort.

As much as you get your dog prepared for the activity, don’t forget about yourself. Fitness also matters to you. Take your physical fitness check with your doctor. The event can be demanding on the lower back and the knees. To prevent any last minute fallbacks, you could take gym classes, routine exercises to keep you fit all the time.

With that in check, you are ready to go to the mountains. Start out slow to help both you and your dog to adjust to the activity. Let your dog fit into the harness alone and run the show before having to pull you along. You can start this exercise virtually in the summer by taking walks, skating and biking with your dog. While at it, you can see if your dog has a feel for skijoring. If you are new to skiing, you could take lessons that will keep you in check during cross country skijoring.

You will also need to settle for the kind of experience you would want. If you are out of speed, you need to look for flat, wide and well-groomed trails to help you ski smoothly. If you are out for more challenge, a steeper, narrow slope would be ideal, but at most stay safe. It is vital that you pack up a first aid kit and enough water for both you and your dog.

Your dog needs to have the right scale of discipline to participate smoothly in skijoring. Your dog’s ability to be controlled communicates a lot. Remember there are other skijors on the slopes. Keep up with your dog and be sure to stay on your trail. If there are stipulated rules, follow them. Some of these regulations are after your safety. 

To make skijoring more fun, some resorts host competitions and set the rules depending on the available participants. Most matches are timed races on courses that have gates, hanging rings and jumps. The participants primarily turn the gate, go over the hurdles and spear the rings. Some hosts will set in penalties for failing to do any of the considered tasks or for dropping a skier, rider, baton or if the dog is knocked off.

Lastly, skijoring strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Sharing memories and new adventures make you and your dog attached. If you are wondering what your dog needs to be perfect for the activity, it all takes practice. Keep the dog on a skijoring routine. Dogs put a lot of energy and effort into running.