IFSS sports disciplines

The IFSS acronym tells us about North and South Poles conquest, Canadian Mounted Police, Gold rushes, Jack London’s books and native people of the Northern Countries.
Sled dogs allowed people to explore, seek fortune, move and develop a strong civilization in some of the toughest countries on Earth. But global climate change, extension toward countries with less or no snow, administrative burden to manage large number of dogs in many countries and development of individual practices with family dogs, enlarged and developed IFSS racing disciplines.

The roots of IFSS sports disciplines
Crucial mean of transportation during centuries for the inhabitants of the North of the American continent and Siberia, the sled dog activities slowly changed to a sport at the beginning of the 20th century. For sure, the inhabitants of the northern part of America were eager to show gold diggers and later, oil workers, how good they were at managing dog teams. Sled dog races have always been organized in most villages and towns during the fur markets and annual festivals. But new and reliable means of transportation on snow, like snowmobiles, or airplanes and track vehicles led to less use of the sleddogs. Like the horses in equestrian sports, the sled dogs’ techniques and ways of living survived only through the sport.

At present, the sled dog sport is divided in different types of disciplines:

Sprint races: Dog teams on snow from two to an unlimited number of dogs (usually 12 to 14) on distances from 4 to 40 km per heats or stages, running at about 30-34 km/h average speed; 2-3 heats or stages, over 2-3 days. There are many classes than can be divided into Unlimited class and Limited classes for 2, 4, 6 and 8 dogs. During the fall and spring or in the snowless countries, these disciplines (except the Unlimited class) are organized on dryland trails with wheeled rigs.

Mid-Distance races: Dog teams on snow from 6-12 dogs, on distances from 40 to 250 km which are divided in stages and run over several days. The average speed is about 25-27 km/h. The different classes are Limited (up to 6 dogs) and Unlimited class (usually up to 12). The stage races are often based on a pool of dogs, and it can vary from 6 dogs in a pool of 10 in the Limited class or 12 dogs among 14 dogs in the Unlimited class. Sometimes it is mandatory to bring some safety equipment (dog snacks, tracking system, research avalanche devices…) in the sled bag. These kinds of races have gained popularity worldwide.

Distance races: Dog teams from 6 to an unlimited number of dogs, distances from 250 km and up to 1600 km. The mushers must pass through checkpoints where veterinary checks are performed. The teams can rest, leave tired dogs at these checkpoints, but they can also decide to rest on the trail. It is mandatory to bring some safety equipment (cooker, dog food, tracking system, snowshoes, etc.) in the sled. The average distance covered within a day is around 200 km. The conditions needed for this kind of races are available mostly in Alaska, Canada and northern Scandinavia.

In all these disciplines, like in equestrian sports, there is no gender ranking. This means women and men compete equally in the same class. A special ranking may be implemented for Registered Nordic breed sled dog teams recognized by the national or international kennel clubs.

Ski-dog’s activities: Although the Norwegians Roald Amundsen (South Pole 1911) and Fridtjof Nansen have used sled dogs for their expeditions, the Scandinavians had a historical tradition to move on snow with skis. In winter, dogs were used too to help carry a load for different purposes, on small sled called “Pulka” while traveling on skis. They naturally developed this technique into competitions, becoming among the most accomplished in the world. Different rankings are established depending on the gender and the age of the athletes.

Less snow, less dogs, new types of practices to deal with for IFSS
Due to unpredictable conditions and lack of snow at places where the sled dog sports were attractive with thousands of spectators, new types of wheeled equipment appeared, like rigs, scooters and mountain bikes. A growing population of young and urban athletes with only one dog at home led the IFSS to naturally manage these activities.

Rig racing: Being already a way for training for dog teams with 2 or more dogs, it became a competition activity for the month without snow or for areas lacking snow. The dogs are harnessed in the same way as for a sled with the sled being replaced by a 3- or 4-wheel rig or cart.

Bikejoring: Being already a way for training for skijorers before the snow season, it also became a competitive activity. Bikejoring consists of attaching one dog in front of a bike. At a high level of competition, it requires a skilled driver because of the power provided by the dog and the fast average speed of about 35 km/h. Due to the worldwide development of the sport in countries without snow, it is now one of the most popular competitive disciplines.

Scooter: Using a kick bike (a new urban sport using a scooter with big wheels and brakes) pulled by one or two dogs, this discipline requires very good physical condition, especially in the one dog class.

Canicross: It consists of an athlete running, attached to a single dog in harness by an elastic leash. It attracts a lot of people, like trail runners that have a family dog that they can run with. Various types of terrains and distances are available on the IFSS federation race circuit. From few kilometers on sprint races to longer and hillier trails (Canitrail), all these kinds of classes of Canicross can be organized as competitions. Different rankings are established depending on the gender and the age of the athletes.

A specific ranking can be available for Registered Nordic breed teams, except in Canicross. Page 3 of 3 Animal welfare is always of highest priority, so the temperatures are checked at Dryland and Ski dogs’ races at every stage of the races and must follow the IFSS rules.

Starting from a means of transportation in the snow-covered Northern countries, the IFSS has expanded to meet the requirements of climate change and the demand for more individual practices in terms of number of dogs. It is a crucial development allowing IFSS to be present on 4 continents and 33 countries.