Evolution of Mushing

2. 10th Century: Dogs power have been used for hunting and traveling for hundreds of years. The sled dogs now are used to journey across sea ice and help hunt polar bears using sleds. They did this in Greenland. They built the sled they used and 10-14 dogs were tied to the sled. These dogs are very tough in the mind and body so that is why they used them then and now. These dogs can withstand hunger and cold.

3. Early 1900s: The sled dogs help pull heavy loads in difficult positions and for long distances. They used to do this in Northeastern Asia and still do it in Alaska. The Siberian Husky is a very active and energetic breed of dog. They are also called Chukchi, Chuksha, Husky, and Icee dogs. This made this breed very popular in the United States and Canada.

5. January 24, 1925: The disease kept spreading to others so they sent out two people that would take their dogs from Nome and Nenana to Nulato (where they believed the cure was). The reason why they did that was because the only way they could get out there was a dog pulling a sled (to work with the weather). Another reason that they used the dogs is because they were the fastest and strongest way of transportation.

6. January 24, 1925: After Dr. Welch sent a telegram request for 1 million units, the superintendent Mark Summers confirmed a relay of dog sleds, using two fast. This relay was a series of switching the serum to different mushers, in temperatures below 0 degrees. One dog sled team would start in the town of Nenana, and the other in Nome. The two teams would then meet in the town of Nulato. The superintendents’ employee, now-famous Norwegian dog sled racer Leonhard Seppala, is going to go to Nulato from Nenana. On January 26, there were 300,000 units of antitoxin at the train station in Anchorage, that is when they started the relay. The serum arrived on January 27 in Nenanc.

7. 1900s: The sleds main purpose was to be used as transportation for people, goods, and supplies during the long Alaskan winters. Until, racing with dog sled teams became very popular after the 1900s began. The original sleds were heavy and made of sturdy wood, so it was hard for the dogs to pull them. All these changes and more have made it an easier and faster way to race and travel.

9. 20th century: The modern sleds today are made out of new materials as in plastic and carbon fiber to make it lighter and easier for the dogs to carry and run easier. Going with it being light the sled would have to also hold light as possible for supplies. The sled would be able to hold a lot of supplies to make sure the mushers and dogs can last out in the freezing weather. To make the sleds faster they would put iron or steel runners to glide on ice and snow. To make the sled comfortable for the mushers they added other things to make the whole team comfortable. Some mushers invented some of these supplies like, Jeff King he added a seat so you can sit while on your sled and heated hand grips to keep you warm and make water for the mushers and dogs.

10. Last 30 years: Mushers used to cut down tress to make fires to cook there food over. They also used the fire for warmth and to melt snow to make water for dogs. Now they use alcohol cookers, which makes it a lot easier. The booties for dogs have also evolved. They used to be children socks tied with tape. Now they are a special kind of nylon and held together with Velcro. Dogs used to be mainly fed by things hunted on the way and today they get very healthy food, top training, and medical care.