The Amazing Strength of Sled Dogs

An epic journey which is around 6,400 km long through the icy heart of Siberia is a common track for these mammals. They have the abilities in encountering one of the harshest environment in the world, and the over storm-ravaged mountains. The sled dogs which are the descendants of Greenland Dogs and Alaskan malamutes have incredible stamina. However, the physical strength is not only their true power, but their organisation is the most crucial among them. This is a team consisted by:

In the front we have, the Lead Dogs. The pair of lead dots at the head of the pack set the pace of the team and communicate with musher (is the sled leaders, and he have maintained long-term relationship with the dogs, so that he could have given commands and decision for the team) or the driver. The front dogs are the most intelligent dogs and have the best sense of direction.

The next pair is the Swing Dogs. These couple of dogs have a duty to make sure the team follows route adjustments given by the lead dogs. This ensures that the sled does not become unbalanced and tip over. The next row is the Team Dogs which could have been placed by two pairs (depend to the sled). These pairs are the foot soldiers of the pack and their positions in the team are often interchangeable. The last row is the Wheel Dogs. The pair of dogs directly in front of the sled are usually the most physically fit dogs. Their pull must not exceed the 20-metre-long lead.

These dogs have maximal oxygen uptake, or VO2 max, which shows the value about how millilitres of oxygen are used per kilo of bodyweight per minute when under maximum stress. Generally, the Alaskan Malamutes can reach up to 240 VO2 max, so that without this extraordinary performances, people living in the icy part could never reach their home.