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Alaska State Championship Dog Weight Pull
The Peninsula Winter Games will begin January 30 on the Kenai Peninsula
and will continue through February 7th. Its a great time to gather up
the family and get out of the house for a bit of fresh air and join with
friends either in competition or as spectators. Contests and activities
of all kinds are hosted in Nikiski, Kenai and Soldotna and include a
wide variety of events.
One of the genuine Alaska-heritage competitions is the State
Championship Dog Weight Pull contest hosted in Soldotna at the Central
Peninsula Sports Center. Its an event which conjours mental images of
Jack London's description of "Buck", famous sled dog of the Klondike
Goldrush, making that big pull that won his master a significant wager.
And although a man's "outfit" isn't the prize anymore, the $1000+ poke
for the winning dogs will buy a substantial amount of dog food during
the next year. This year's sponsors are Spenard Builders Supply of
Soldotna and Coshok's Canine Castle of Anchorage.
The competition begins at 2PM Saturday January 30th in the Sports Center
parking lot.
Entrants must register their dogs and then have them weighed in. The
contest has four weight categories: Ultralight, Lightweight,
Middleweight and Heavyweight. This allows dogs of a particular size to
compete fairly with those of similar stature.
A drawing for each category establishes the order in which the dogs will
compete in their respective group.
The empty sled weighs approximately 200 lbs. Weight is added in 150#
increments at the beginning of each new round. The dog handler is
allowed to pass at any weight level, often to save the dog's strength
for heavier pulls later in the competition.
However, should a dog not make a successful pull at a higher weight
level after passing the previous weight, its score will be judged on the
last successful pull. Passing can introduce a lot of variables into the
competition, especially if the handler has more confidence in their dog
than what the dog feels like pulling that day.
The sled is positioned at the start line and the dog is harnessed. Just
prior to starting the pull the sled helpers will "break" the sled
runners from sticking to the snow and ice. As soon as the sled is
motionless, the handler is allowed to begin coaxing the dog for the
pull.
The handler cannot touch the dog and can use only verbal commands and
hand signals. They cannot use any treats or other incentives to get the
dog to perform.
The dog must pull the sled 25 feet to the finish line within one minute.
If the dog fails after one minute the sled is broke free to allow the
dog to complete the pull so that a positive reinforcement is
established. Coalfoot, last year's State Champion at left, is pulling
2000 lbs. for the best pull of the day last year.
Cash prizes are awarded for best pulls in each category. When two or
more dogs in the same weight class pull the same weight, the dog with
the fastest time will be the winner. A special award is given to the dog
who pulls the most weight vs. their body weight (Pound for Pound) and
for the Best Novice Dog and Novice Handler.
Some Dog Bytes: The heaviest single pulls recorded in Alaska occurred at
previous Fur Rendezvous events. Two St. Bernards in the heavyweight
class, Susitna (the father) and Kashwitna (the son), pulled an
incredibly 5,220 pounds each.
No less incredible was a small dog named Frank pictured at right. At the
1987 Fur Rondy he set a single pull record for the Under 50# category
with a pull of 1850 pounds. Then at the 1995 Fur Rondy he set the single
pull record for the Under 55# category with an amazing pull of 2450
pounds. This year at FOURTEEN years old he will be competing again.
THAT'S another one for the record books!
This is our favorite event of the Peninsula Winter Games. And since the
State Championship is held prior to the Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage, its
a great opportunity to see nearly all the dogs which will be competing
at the Rondy. We hope to see you all out there this year.
Information courtesy of Cathy Herrin and Wasilla Rod.
MORE INFORMATION
puppypet.info
mynewpuppy.info
dogculture.info
thedogbreeds.info
newdogcare.info
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