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Basic Standards
of Sled Dog Care
The following
are basic care standards that we believe are commonly accepted practices
among responsible sled dog owners. This list is intended only as
a ready reference, not as a replacement for the more complete discussion
presented in the full Mush with PRIDE Sled Dog Care Guidelines.
- Daily Food
and Water. Under normal circumstances, all dogs should be adequately
fed and watered at least once a day, although certain training
and medical conditions may warrant the temporary withholding of
food.
- Adequate
Shelter. All dogs should have adequate shelter from inclement
weather. Usually this means a waterproof and windproof house or
other shelter as well as shade, sunlight, and a well-drained,
easily cleaned kennel surface.
- Safe Confinement.
Dogs should be securely confined and restricted in a safe manner.
Chains and cables used to restrict dogs must be tangle-free and
should include a swivel to prevent choking.
- Responsible
Breeding. Any kennel that includes an intact female dog should
have a heat pen capable of confining the female and preventing
breeding with loose males.
- Exercise.
Confinement pens, chains, or cables should be of an adequate size
or length to allow each dog to exercise.
- Fenced Yards.
In places that young children might visit, dog yards should be
surrounded by a fence of an adequate height and strength to contain
loose dogs and keep children out of the yard.
- Daily Scooping.
Fecal matter should be cleaned up daily.
- Veterinary
Attention. Dogs should be dewormed and vaccinated on a regular
basis and should receive a regular veterinary checkup.
- Socialization.
Dogs should be socialized at least to the point of accepting handling
from strangers. Special training, secure confinement, and neutering
should be considered with overly aggressive dogs.
- Quality of
Life. The above care standards provide a basic quality of life
that all sled dogs deserve. If this care cannot be provided, then
another home for the dog should be found. If a dog’s quality
of life cannot be maintained due to age, serious infirmity or
injury, or other circumstances and another home is not appropriate
or an option, the dog deserves to be humanely euthanized by a
qualified individual.
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