Mushing Terminology

·  Alaskan husky: a northern dog of mixed breed, usually used to denote those bred for racing.

·  Basket: the main body of a sled, where passengers or gear may be carried.

·  Booties: slippers for dogs, worn while working under certain conditions to prevent ice forming between their toes. Made       

   of a wide range of fabrics, including fleece and Gore-tex

·  Brushbow: the curved piece out in front of the main body of a sled, designed to stop brush from damaging the sled.

   Collar: webbing that goes around the dog’s neck so they may be controlled or restrained. 

·  Curse Words:  are words best directed at a tree or inanimate object and not the dogs. Once you get it out of you then  

    tend to the dogs and think of another way to teach the action.  It is not their fault.  We simply need to teach it or teach it   

    a different way.

·  Dog Bag: a fabric bag carried on a race sled, used to put a sick or injured dog into in order to carry him to a place 

   where he can be cared for.

·  Dog Box: a carrier for several dogs, most often seen as a wooden structure in the bed of a pickup truck. Styles vary

   widely, but usually built with individual sections that hold one or two dogs each.

·  Driving Bow: the handle that the musher holds on to - also called a Handlebow.

·  Dropping Dogs: the term meaning to take the dogs out of the truck or transportation vehicle and allowing the dogs use

   the bathroom and or feed and water the dogs.  This is usually done with Outriggers extending from the front and back

   of the truck and away from the vehicle with a chain or cable between them and cable or chain drops for each dog along 

   the main one.  This can go all the way around the vehicle. 

·  Easy!: the command for the dogs to slow down.

·  Gangline: the main line that the dogs and sled are attached to.

·  Gee - the command for the dogs to turn right. A simple acronym to help you remember the 3 most important commands

   is HOG (Haw for left, On by for straight, Gee for right).  The other most important is Whoa.

·  Handler - a person who assists the musher.

·  Harness: a webbing of fabric that fits a dog snugly, to which the Tugline and Neckline are attached. The harness is  

   used to allow the dog to pull without causing injury to the dog.

·  Haw - the command for the dogs to turn left. A simple acronym to help you remember the 3 most important commands

   is HOG (Haw for left, On by for straight, Gee for right).  The other most important is Whoa.

·  Hike! - the command to get the dog team moving.

·  Husky - in common useage, any northern breed dog - properly, a Siberian Husky.

·  Lead Dogs: the dog or dogs in the front of a team. These dogs are noted for their high level of intelligence and drive,

   and are often females. May be run as Single lead (1 dog) or Double lead (2 dogs).

·  Mush!: many people think this is the term used to get a team going - Hike! is most commonly used.

·  Musher: a person who drives a sled dog team - also called a Dog Driver.

·  Neckline: a short line (10-12 inches) attached to the Collar and Gangline, that keeps the dog in line.

·  On By!: the command to go by another team or other distraction. A simple acronym to help you remember the 3 most

    important commands is HOG (Haw for left, On by for straight, Gee for right).  The other most important is Whoa.

·  Outriggers: the poles or bars attached to a vehicle’s bumper or under frame in the front and back that extends several

   feet out away from the vehicle.  From these poles a chain or cable is stretched between them and cable or chain drops 

   for each dog along the main one.

·  Pedaling: pushing with one foot while keeping the other on the sled.

·  Point Dogs - used by some mushers to denote the two dogs right behind the Lead Dogs. Others call them Swing

      Dogs.

·  Rigging: all the gear used to attach dogs to a sled.

·  Runners: the narrow pieces of wood that a sled rides on. Usually have a replaceable plastic layer to reduce

   maintenance. The runners extend behind the Basket so the Musher can stand on them.

·  Safety Line: an extra line from the Gangline to the sled, in case the main fitting breaks.

·  Snow Hook: a large metal hook that can be driven into firm snow to anchor a team for a short period of time without

    tying them.

·  Snub Line: a rope attached to the back of the sled, which can be tied to a tree to hold the team when the snow is not

   firm enough to use a Snow Hook.

·  Stakeout: a main chain with separate short chains to attach several dogs to. May be strung between the front and back

    bumpers of a truck, or between two trees.

·  Stanchions: the upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled.

·  Swing Dogs: depending on which musher you're talking to, either the two dogs directly behind the Lead Dogs, or those

   between the Point Dogs and the Wheel Dogs.

·  Tack: harnesses

·  Team Dogs: all dogs other than the Lead Dogs, Point Dogs, Swing Dogs and Wheel Dogs.

·  Toboggan: a sled with a flat bottom instead of runners. Used when deep, soft snow is expected instead of a good trail.

·  Tuglines: the main line that connects the dog's harness to the Gangline - the line that the dog tugs on.

·  Wheel Dogs: the two dogs right in front of the sled. These will normally be the heaviest dogs in the team.

·  Whoa: the command to get the dog team to stop.  The other most important words are best remembered with a simple

   acronym HOG (Haw for left, On by for straight, Gee for right).