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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. 
     
  • 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 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 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 attache 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 Leda 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.