Sled / Rig Running

When we had only Summer and Thor, we started working the dogs for (both theirs and ours) added fitness. As there was only the two of them and they were both new to it, we initially ran them in front of a modified push bike. This was before the days of using scooters! The bike weighed less than a rig and so made it much easier for the dogs. Phil fitted a brush bow to the bike to give the same level of protection that the dogs have from rigs and it all worked very well.


A training run in the woods	and along the water line on the beach

When Kira was old enough to join the team, Phil made our first rig and we switched to mainly using that instead, with just the occasional run with the bike.


The three dog team Kira, Thor & Summer	The new rig

In the woods with Kira running as lead dog (although we do switch the dogs around so that we get to test all their lead dog skills)	A training run along the water line at the beach
This photo was taken near the end of one of Kira, Thor & Summers first races with Thor running in lead. As you can see, this is a sport where you all get muddy but this race was exceptionally so.

Thor and Kira really loved doing the running and their speeds were increasing too but Summer would sometimes just decide that no, she didn't feel like rig running today and so we would let her run along by the side of the team out of harness instead. One day we put her in the dog bag just for fun and she thought this was brilliant!

Gradually Summer became less and less interested in doing the training and racing and was starting to only pull when spectators could see her and be terribly impressed by her great speed and power! The rest of the time she would let her lines go loose and just coast along. So, we decided to drop her from the team and just run Thor and Kira in the two dog freight class instead. Summer didn't mind as she still came along to the races to watch.

Sadly we lost our lovely Thor to Juvenile Leukaemia in October 2002. This not only left us devastated but also put an end to our rig running for a while.

When Taeus and Anika were old enough, we were able to start running the dogs in harness again. We chose to take part in the two dog feight classes again, so our race team was now made up of just Kira & Anika but with Taeus also taking part in the training runs and we even had an occassional training run appearance from Summer too! Although Summer generally only wanted to join in on very cold, dry days when she didn't end up getting too muddy!

Taeus proved to be a cracking sled dog 'when he wanted to be' as his power is quite incredible! But, unfortunately he has become just too easily distracted by the scent of lady dogs and so keeps stopping to pee or sniff instead of reliably running. This can be rather dangerous as he is so strong that when he stops the girls just can not shift him and so the whole team suddenly halts. Phil therefore decided to 'sack' Taeus from the running team and concentrate on running Kira and Anika instead. Don't worry though, as Taeus does not miss out, he still comes along to watch and loves doing his showing and agility instead. It is such a shame though, that Taeus was not more driven and focussed, as when he does run he is so strong and has the potential to be such an asset to the team but if the dogs mind is not in it, then there is no point in taking risks. The dogs safety and enjoyment must always come first.

It is really hard to get photos of the team training runs as we do most of our training in the dark so that we have the woods to ourselves. But, here are a selection of those photos that we have managed to get over the years...

Speed short distance training down the lane...


Anika & Summer in lead with Kira and Taeus at wheel	Anika in lead with Kira & Taeus at wheel

Night time training in the woods...

Kira & Anika

Kira & Anika

Kira & Anika night time training in the snow...
OK, so we did still use the rig rather than a sled but unfortunately we just don't really get deep enough snow in this country for sleds!

Kira & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at the races...

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Wyre Forest Race 2008...
This was Togo's first ever race but they still did so well that they came 2nd out of the 8 teams in their class!

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Sherwood Forest Race 2008...
Where they came 7th out of the 22 teams in their class

Togo & Solomon taking part in the recreational class
at ABSA Sherwood Forest Race 2008...
(This is a short 'just for fun' class so young dogs and so on can have a go)

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Ringwood Forest Race 2008...
Where they came 6th out of the 15 teams in their class

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Wareham Forest Race 2008...
Where they came 5th out of the 17 teams in their class

Solomon, Anika, Togo & Kira all taking part in
the recreational class at ABSA Wareham Forest Race 2008...
(This is a short 'just for fun' class so young dogs and so on can have a go)

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Forest Of Dean Race 2009...
Where they came 9th out of the 13 teams in their class

Solomon, Anika & Togo taking part in the recreational class
at ABSA Forest Of Dean Race 2009...
(This is a short 'just for fun' class so young dogs and so on can have a go)

Togo & Anika about to start their two dog freight class
at ABSA Rondy By Night Race 2009...
Where they came 3rd out of the 16 teams in their class

BSHRA Elveden Forest Race 2009...
With BSHRA, Samoyed teams have to run in the same classes as the Siberian Husky teams, so as we are a freight dog breed
these races really are just for fun for us!
Solomon & Anika in lead with Togo at wheel approaching the finish of their 3 dog team race.

Togo & Anika competing in the two dog freight class
at ABSA Yately Heath Race 2009...
Where they came 6th out of the 16 teams in their class

Solomon, Anika & Togo taking part in the recreational class
at ABSA Yately Heath Race 2009...
(This is a short 'just for fun' class so young dogs and so on can have a go)

All our Sams at the New Forest race 2009.

Another day and another race but this time
Anika makes the most of a chair that has been left conveniently close to the tie out line!