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DanJPopp t1_jawt341 wrote

Dogs made of absolute iron. It is really impressive what those dogs can accomplish.

564

Kytyngurl2 t1_jawv8k8 wrote

Those lead puppers look raring to go!

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Dewey_Decimated t1_jax505f wrote

“Alaska’s arduous Iditarod” is some great alliteration

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millennial_scum t1_jax8qjx wrote

The last breeders of the Seppala Siberian Sleddog (dogs from the breeding and lineage of the dogs who ran the most of the Nome vaccine run. The first Iditarod was held in Seppala’s honor) chose to discontinue breeding and let the last of the dogs live out their lives peacefully. The breed could no longer safely keep up with the demands of modern Iditarod racing but too many people would still try to purchase them for that intent based on their name and history.

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DanJPopp t1_jaxal94 wrote

Replying to TheHunchbackofOhio (#2,160,609)

What I find hilarious is that those who protest the Iditarod seemingly ignore much worse things happening to animals around the world. Including the organization that is most vocal in speaking out against the Iditarod. An organization that has been proven in killing thousands of animals every year: PETA. Don't get me wrong, all animal abuses should be stopped, but the Iditarod is not what should be targeted. It is only targeted because it's easy and gets more attention than going after real animal abuse problems.

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francoruinedbukowski t1_jaxana5 wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,160,453)

My last malamute/husky mix when she got off leash would easily get a mile ahead of us in when were in snow shoes or on x/country's, she summited Mt. Shasta twice in three feet fresh pow while we were still at least a mile down the trail.

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DanJPopp t1_jaxb1m3 wrote

Replying to millennial_scum (#2,160,658)

Understandable. Seppala Huskies are more useful as team leaders for sled dog work rather than racing. I'm sure many racing sled dogs have Seppala Husky ancestry because that breed is incredibly smart and intuitive in understanding its musher and leading/being part of a team. But purebred Seppalas aren't the best for straight up racing these days.

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DanJPopp t1_jaxh1fv wrote

Replying to soapysmithy (#2,160,997)

Yes, I'm aware since the race started in the 70's "154" dogs have died. But, that number includes dogs that died days, even weeks before the race even started. It's also compared to over 10,000 dogs running the race since the 70's, so it's not even a 1% mortality. More humans have died on average playing human sports than dogs have died running the Iditarod. Most definitely hypocritical groups like PETA have killed more dogs in their one and only "animal shelter" (approximately 2000 animals last year alone). But the main reason I refer to these dogs as being made of iron is that they are the Olympic athletes of dogs. They accomplish something no average dog has or can. Like with any sport, there are risks, but everything that can be done to keep those dogs healthy and alive is done every year during the race. That's more than I can say for sports like football and for ARA groups like PETA. Maybe you should focus on the REAL mass killers of animals.

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AnonymousPug26 t1_jaxhrga wrote

The Iditarod is in honor of the run Balto made to deliver medicine to a cut-off community, right?

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DanJPopp t1_jaxilus wrote

Replying to AnonymousPug26 (#2,161,087)

Not just Balto, but several teams that ran a relay to get medicine to Nome. The real hero dog was Togo, who lead his team nearly 300 miles in the relay. Balto ran the last and shortest leg, which is why he got credit as the hero.

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Anon-567890 t1_jaxmcbr wrote

I’m enjoying watching Life Below Zero (Nat Geo on Disney +) and learning about Jesse Holmes and his preparation for the Iditarod. I’m only on season 13, so no spoilers, please! Those dogs really love their work!

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KmartQuality t1_jaxr6ja wrote

The biggest shareholder of Exxon is a supporter of and advocate for PETA?

The fuck?

The Iditarod lost the long time Exxon sponsorship because of fucking PETA?

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atomicboner t1_jaxr98q wrote

Replying to 133769420LOL (#2,160,845)

I cannot continue to care about this ill conceived and contrite creation that you have crafted for us commenters to contemplate. With respect, I request that you rid your repulsive self from Reddit and remove any reposts you’ve revived….

Ah, that was uncalled for and uncivilized of me; please accept my unconditional apology and upvote.

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robothawk t1_jaxrl67 wrote

Im there rn, its fucking COLD! Also they didnt have to truck in snow this year it's pretty excellent!

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HuskyMush t1_jaxwzdd wrote

Replying to AnonymousPug26 (#2,161,087)

Partially, yes. It was overall meant more to honor the history and place of sled dogs in Alaska though. It wasn’t just the Nome serum run. Alaska wouldn’t have been explored and settled without sled dogs. When things like snow machines and bush planes were advancing more and more after WWII, sled dogs were kinda pushed out of the picture. The biggest accomplishment of the Iditarod is probably reviving the sled dog tradition and putting the dogs, mushers, and that bond back on the map.

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SlapunowSlapulater t1_jay23me wrote

What it looks like when your dogs quit mid race.

[Nicolas Petit]https://gray-wwbt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/q3H39wCXMFdoXYsGmVhX8nXi2J4=/1200x675/smart/filters:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZRYJ5S4LYFDMFHKL5TFOEXUDA4.jpg

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Feeling_Glonky69 t1_jay2a3z wrote

Look at that dumb dick in the front lmaooo. I love him/her

−7

mis_nalgas2 t1_jay53id wrote

Replying to Anon-567890 (#2,161,297)

If you ever have a chance what the show "Losers" on Netflix, each episode is a different story of someone who almost got 1st place in different sports. Theres an episode that follows an Iditarod contestant who had an insane experience during the race.

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Red_Six6 t1_jayagqi wrote

That’s nice and all but HOLY FUCK THE TRAFFIC TODAY WAS DOGSHIT (pun unintended, but welcomed)

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dflame45 t1_jaybp4i wrote

Replying to DanJPopp (#2,161,050)

I mean it's got to be a higher % than human deaths in sport. You know, cause millions of humans play sports but only a tiny number of iron dogs. I honestly don't care but don't say more humans die from sports lol.

−20

Eva_Nick t1_jayd8b1 wrote

Look at all those good pups 🥺

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DiegoGarcia1984 t1_jaydbvs wrote

When I was a kid, like in grade 6 or so, and learned about the Iditarod we learned that the snow was receding and that large parts of the track are run over open ground with no snow because of GLOBAL WARMING and that was in the late 90’s before it was remotely on the radar like it is now. So how is it doing with that these days, I wonder?

−5

OathOfFeanor t1_jaygrlm wrote

I could never get those little dog shoes to stay on!

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JacktheTrapper t1_jayho6x wrote

American Shadows did a wonderful podcast episode on these dogs and the story of getting that medicine to Nome. Highly recommend it. These dogs are incredible and they love nothing more than to strap in and pull that sled

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acbo_1 t1_jayrkjd wrote

Replying to DanJPopp (#2,161,050)

Human athletes are aware of the risks, and have at least some autonomy in choosing to participate. Did the dogs ask to be pushed to their limits? Hmm...

Yeah, PETA is an irrefutably horrible organization. That fact has nothing to do with the inhumane reality of Iditarod and dog races.

−31

DanJPopp t1_jays48u wrote

Replying to acbo_1 (#2,163,097)

Care to tell us how the dogs are forced to run? The mushers don't use whips (they would be disqualified and arrested for animal abuse). Dogs they raise that refuse to run are simply given up for adoption. The dogs they run literally get upest/anxious if they're kept from running. So please, explain how the dogs are forced to run.

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acbo_1 t1_jayuc0j wrote

Replying to KmartQuality (#2,163,131)

Well, Exxon technically is sort of an animal abuse cult... look at photos from the Exxon Valdez spill, or any of their other numerous acts of environmental terrorism.

However, I never made that claim in my comment. I said that PETA was an animal abuse cult, which it is - evidence is plentiful.

As for sled dogs living to run sleds, I don't see how it's considered kind for a human to determine the sole purpose of another animal's life.

−2

lady_lilitou t1_jayus9s wrote

Replying to DiegoGarcia1984 (#2,162,483)

There have been a few times since then that they've had to adjust the starting location because of unseasonably warm temps and a lack of snow. Most years it's still been on its usual route, but I don't know if the mushers are seeing conditions changing along the route.

3

acbo_1 t1_jayvj08 wrote

Replying to DanJPopp (#2,163,121)

I don't believe that they are forced to run, which is why I never said anything of that nature. You're absolutely correct.

I just wonder why, when motors exist, we continue to propel our payloads using sapient beings (purely for sport, no less) rather than allowing those beings to enjoy running freely and without strain. If they could speak, maybe they would tell us they prefer the challenge of pulling weight, but they can't, so I feel we should err on the side of ethics.

As for whipping, I don't doubt that the official governing bodies of the event forbid it, but the fact remains that any form of professional competition inherently encourages cheating. In dog races, cheating tends to involve animal cruelty.

You're not wrong, and I'm sure you know far more about Iditarod than I ever will... but your perception of animals and their value is very interesting to me.

You seem to base your disdain for animal rights activists off of a very understandble hatred of PETA, which is the polar opposite of an animal rights activism group.

−24

kurt_go_bang t1_jayyfh8 wrote

I remember Jim Rome calling it The Ikilledadog Race.

−1

10leej t1_jaz2iyi wrote

Only 33 racers this year. That's pretty small I think.

3

DFWPunk t1_jaz5ee5 wrote

Replying to bigtimephonk (#2,162,891)

The fact saying this upsets people...

It's very likely that number is low. Over half of the dogs don't finish the race. There's a good chance many of them die and aren't reported. It's cruel.

−16

Monnster07 t1_jaz739u wrote

Replying to DanJPopp (#2,161,119)

And there's even controversy as to the claim that Balto even led that team. Most believe that Balto was at most a co-lead and possibly not lead at all and was only said to be to make the story more dramatic.

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lagelthrow t1_jaz82ye wrote

Replying to Etrion (#2,160,857)

Most of the huskies who run are Alaskan huskies, a mutt "breed" consisting largely of northern breeds and hounds, yes. But considering that they're shooting for dogs whose natural biology lends itself to thriving in extreme cold, it's not really greyhounds but more likely hounds with hardier coats and more muscular builds.

There aren't many identifiable breeds in Alaskan huskies at this point, since that lineage is so far removed from what they are now

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handofking t1_jazapsj wrote

Arduous for the dogs but who cares about that not these Mofos.

−13

Cochise22 t1_jazf3g3 wrote

Replying to acbo_1 (#2,163,097)

At one point in life, I might have agreed with you. But when I went to Alaska and met a dogsled team, and all those dogs wanted to do was pull that sled. When one of the mushers (I dunno what they’re called) was walking around getting a team ready, the dogs would run up excited wagging their tails wanting to be chosen next. They were legit sad every time they got passed up and would whine until the next round. They seemed like some of the most well taken care of dogs I’ve ever met. And being Alaskan huskies (basically mutts but much healthier than Siberian huskies), they genuinely needed the stimulation of taking turns pulling the sled.

I got to pet and play with them, and they had puppies on the glacier as well to socialize them with the adult dogs and humans. They were all such happy pups. One of the dogs was this beautiful female Alaskan husky and I was told she had been the leader of four different Iditarod teams, and as I walked up to her she flopped into the belly rub position. So I asked the guy if I was allowed to give her a belly rub, and the response was ‘she’d be offended if you didn’t!’ So that’s how I got to give a world class athlete a belly rub.

Meeting the dogs changed my entire opinion on dog sledding.

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ValPrism t1_jazf49c wrote

It’s really fun in Nome when the bells ring for each finisher, everyone runs outside to cheer them to finish. Day or night, we run outside!

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CanisLupis747 t1_jazhhnu wrote

Replying to acbo_1 (#2,163,267)

I’ve been out running with sled dogs and seen how excited they get when it’s time to run. They’re not pushed, they’re not forced, they love doing what they’re doing. It’s conceivable that some racers abuse dogs, but it’s not a very rewarding sport to get into for the money so there’s not much financial incentive to abuse your dogs (prize money is $50,000 and you spend more than that just getting dogs ready to compete) so there’s no reason to believe there’s more animal abuse in the Iditarod than in your regular run of the mill household.

Cheap outfits that take tourists out on dog runs every hour? Those might have a lot of animal abuse, but there’s no reason to project that onto the serious athletes.

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TuaTurnsdaballova t1_jazmi4g wrote

Replying to Griffdog1260 (#2,164,064)

I don’t know about one guys book but it’s easy to look up all the abuse many of these dogs go through. Unfortunately the cruelty is mostly legal in places like Alaska where dogs can just be shot and killed for no reason other than they aren’t the best runners.

−17

[deleted] t1_jazq0i5 wrote

Replying to lagelthrow (#2,163,689)

Racers absolutely mix in greyhound, pitbull and other none northern breed blood into their breeding programs.

In addition, in the past they didn’t care about breed. They breed dogs based on their performance and health. People cared more about their parents work qualities than beeec standard.

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APr0N00b t1_jazz3oa wrote

Wonder if it's owned by an evil megacorporation yet...

−4

DrWestFall t1_jb004cs wrote

Def red that as “idiot rod” and was curious about what’s so straining about that idiot rod sounds like a slur for someone who’s so dumb their existence means nothing like a piece of rebar that’s failed to support it’s cement/concrete

−5

Fortunatious t1_jb040lj wrote

This is one of my favorite sporting events in our country! Go lil pups!

4

Fordmister t1_jb05zez wrote

Replying to acbo_1 (#2,163,097)

Yeah don't know how much time you have spent with any kind of working dogs but getting them to stop before they hurt themselves is one of the hardest things for you as the person working them to do because the dogs will never willingly stop by themselves. Hunting dogs die every year running themselves into a heat stroke and you have no idea they are even struggling until they just drop because the dog gives absolutely no indication it's even tired and just keeps running, even when you aren't asking them to. When working them you are constantly having to ask them to slow down rather than pushing them to work harder.

Working dogs willingly push themselves to the absolute extemes constantly. The human is mainly there to make sure they don't push too hard, not the other way around. These sled dogs dont need to be forced to pull until they keel over. They need to be watched to make sure that they dont

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LiberacionAnimalPa t1_jb0jk4e wrote

Why is this not illegal yet??? Animal abuse. Find other ways to compete and leave animals in peace!

−13

lagelthrow t1_jb1hqtl wrote

Replying to TuaTurnsdaballova (#2,163,830)

There are bad people in every industry. There are shitty people everywhere. It would be insane to pretend there magically aren't any in this sport. But the majority are people who love dogs and who love the preservation of the breeds and the culture around dogsledding.

I know more than a couple of distance mushers and they are dog-care-above-all people.

2

Mr_P3anutbutter t1_jb1ilzt wrote

Replying to DanJPopp (#2,159,956)

I got a chance last summer to take a chopper up to the Mendenhall glacier outside of Juneau where these dogs go to train during the summer months. Absolutely unforgettable experience. These dogs are amazing athletes, but also they’re super sweet and loving.

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Mr_P3anutbutter t1_jb1j2a4 wrote

Replying to lagelthrow (#2,163,689)

Yup. Got to tour Trailbreaker Kennels in Fairbanks a few months ago, Susan Butcher’s daughter runs it now. She said she looked for performance and behavior over breed.

She said ‘they aren’t going to the AKC they’re going to run’

2

queenofcabinfever777 t1_jb1nx6y wrote

Replying to acbo_1 (#2,163,097)

Have you ever met an alaska husky? I personally have one, and my dog NEEDS to run at least 2-5 miles a day. He does not give any shits if his paws bleed form running so much, he absolutely loves it. These dogs are bred for running.

1

RootTootPrintNShoot t1_jb2ugch wrote

Replying to LiberacionAnimalPa (#2,165,226)

Idk if youve watched any of the dogs crossing the finish line, but they love this shit. Theyre so happy when they get to pull. Of course they get tired, but theyre ready to go again. A lot of these dogs run this race 2,3,4 times and every time theyre super stoked at the starting line.

2

panzan t1_jba2sny wrote

Replying to panzan (#2,161,256)

I’m curious if all the downvotes are because of perceived bad taste (I always neglect to add the /s) or because I blatantly stole a 25 year old Jim Rome joke

1