Dictionary




 * **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.


 * **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.


 * **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.


 * **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.


 * **Haw**: the command for the dogs to turn left.


 * **Hike!**: the command to get the dog team moving.


 * **Husky**: in common usage, any northern breed dog - properly, a Siberian Husky.


 * **Iditarod:** most famous for the name of a competitive sled dog race, but also has [|native meanings]


 * **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 Harness and Gangline, that keeps the dog in line.


 * **On By!**: the command to go by another team or other distraction.


 * **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 attached 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.


 * **Village Dogs**: a derogatory term for poorly socialized dogs of unknown breeding.


 * **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.

