Wow. Beautiful pictures, my favorite is a close up, the 1st one of all.

Please stop saying this is cruel. I have a boxer and we recently joined an urban mushing group here in southern Cali. She loves to run. All the dogs love to run. That's why we do it. I took my dog to play in the snow (not mushing) and she stepped on a stick and her toe was bleeding like the one in the picture. She was fine. The mushers love their dogs and take good care of them. If they didn't they would not win, and that's just counter-intuitive. In many of the pictures the dogs wear "booties". These dogs usually have sensitive feet and if the owner notices that they hurt themselves, they put the booties on the dogs to PROTECT them.
Alaskan Huskies are born and bread to run. It's what they do best and they love it!
Beautiful pictures!

thanks for some great pics of the 37th annual great race!.... being that i am an Alaskan i am a HUGE fan of Lance Mackey + Larry (#15.)... it was AMAZING being able to see him take off at the starting lines!

THEY ARE JUST LITTLE BABIES!

Ugh. I can't believe someone left that dog in the car like that. It can fry it's brain!

Great photos. Nice variety.

Do any of you recognise the name Ramy Brooks the musher who beat a dog to deth last year and is baned from running for 3 years. Many dogs die every year during and after the race many more are killed during training. The Humane Society has been apposed to this form of dog abuse for many years. Large numbers of dogs are culled because thay are not fast enough. Mushers who have been sighted for abuse include Ramy Brooks Jim Welsh Dick Mackay ( his son is runing this year) Tom Daily and Mitch Sealey. Sled dogs live there lives in misery on a short chain and as soom as they can no longer run most are killed.

Absolutely beautiful! I am a huge animal supporter, and do not find this apalling in any way. you can see the love and exctiement these dogs have not only for 'their humans' but also for the sport. Yes, I noticed the blood in the picture but the dog doesn't seem agitated by it, not does it appear to be a significant amount of blood.
This is refreshing to see in such a morose world we seem to live in right now.

just because us humans can't run 250km doesn't mean it's inhumane for dogs to.

Great set!

We put together a very brief, beautiful dogsledding video. Have a look!

You idiots! The first dog just died for 2009. You think dogs like this? Dogs don't like the Itidarod. They are not into dying to satisfy man's quest for sport. This is animal abuse and is a felony to drive a dog to death. Every year dogs are injured and die and not just one or two. There is no justification for this. The Itidarod is animal cruelty plain and simple.

Man, I came into this thinking, 'What great photos! I'm sure nobody will have a bad word to say about this one!' I'm amazed at how wrong I was. I mean, WTF? *This* is animal cruelty? Now I'm not the most learned person in the world when it comes to dog behavior, but I'm pretty damn sure these animals are really, really happy! I'm also pretty damn sure that if a dog doesn't want to run in a race then it will, you know, NOT RUN!

You cruelty obsessives are really barking up the wrong tree here and the fact that one of you had the gall to describe this as "The absolute lowest form of barbarism" in a picture post right after the one about the Cambodian Killing Fields is just sick, in my opinion. But then you guys aren't exactly known for your love of humanity, are you? You know what sticks in my craw the most though? It's the fact that I absolutely *guarantee* that all of you people moaning about the Iditarod are the same people who'd think nothing of locking a dog up in a little plastic box while you go off to work.

Hypocrites.

Wonderful pictures. I've had three Huskies in my life and I can tell you one thing for a fact - If you can see a Huskies bottom teeth it means that he/she is laughing - #21 and #22.

. . . and Huskies laugh a lot. They laugh at us pitiful two-legged beings. Which is only right.

I know many of these mushers and I can tell you they love their dogs more than most humans. The dogs love to run and the humans who care for them work tirelessly to make it happen for them. I'm sure there are exceptions, but anyone who knows a dogmusher knows a dog lover. No one does it for the money. That's for sure (it's about the biggest money pit I can think of). It's not really a spectator sport either as most of the action happens miles away from everyone so fame isn't a real motivator (the Iditarod really is the only race that gets much attention). The only motivation I can see is the swift silent movement of the sled through the trees and the love of the animals. It's an amazing sport.

ki it sure human cannot run like dog, the dog good and love to us when we a funny to him it will also funny to us if you make any wrong to him it wrong will come but it bit and careful us.,

I challenge any one of the people on here citing that dog sledding is cruel to actually got and spend some time with sled dogs rather than judging from your armchair.

I have (and I have a Siberian Husky) and they get so excited at the chance of running it is difficult to describe. I have never seen animals so excited and so willing to do something as a bunch of sled dogs waiting to run. They need to be physically held back, not forced to run!

Go and spend some time with these teams, see the care the dogs are under, observe the medical treatment they receive, the quality of food they are fed and the opportunity to do what the breed requires (i.e. exercise) before passing judgement.

Digging up some stats from the internet, with no first hand experience, is lazy at best. You can find cases of abuse in all walks of life and no-one is saying that it never happens in dog sledding. What people are saying is that the vast majority of these dogs are in their element and living the lives they're physically (and mentally) designed for.

Stunning pictures, by the way.

Fantastic photos. I have a few more at http://www.akphotograph.com/Alaska%20Blog/ not quite as stunning though. Mushing is an amazing sport. My sister-in-law is a musher and absolutely loves her dogs and her dogs will happily pull her anywhere.

Of course mushing itself is not cruel, since all Malamutes and Huskies (and many other breeds) love to pull and run. So it is not cruel to let them run, even for longer distances. The cruelty comes when people want to win.

We see the same with sighthounds. Each sighthound loves to run after the lure. That's their nature. There is not problem with that. However, there is a lot of cruelty in sighthound racing. That's not because the sport is cruel, that's because there is money involved. Money causes to get the worst out of some people. They will do anything to win, even animal abuse.

So please continue to enjoy any sport with your dog, you might even try to win, but not at any cost. Your dogs loves it to do what he is build for (mushing, herding, racing, ..) but does not care at all whether you win a trophy (or money prize).

I would hazard a guess that most of the people who think sled dog racing is animal cruelty did not grow up or live around sled dogs. Yes, there are some abusive owners (I knew one personally) but these folks are weeded out pretty quick. The vast majority of racers care for their dogs as if they are their own children, and most of them consider their teams their family. These dogs are fed top-notch menus, get better medical care than a lot of Americans, and in general absolutely LOVE what they do.

I am a dog lover, and I have dogs of my own. I can't stand to see a dog in pain - not even stub its toe. But I've also seen first hand what's going on in this industry. If you've never been to a sled dog race, I would urge you to go and take an objective look at what's happening. You might be surprised.

Dogs are AWESOME!!!!!

I love the pictures of the Siberians. My wife and I have two Siberians (one female and one male) which were both rescued, and they are wonderful pets and stay with us in our house. We're fortunate to be able to let them run within a fenced-in two acres.

These dogs love to run and seem to gain energy as the thermometer drops in temperature. I would love to watch one of the races just for the opportunity to hear the Siberians "talk" amongst themselves. I think their talking is what sets them apart from the other breeds.

Heaven is where you get your dogs back.

Wow, those are some BEAUTIFUL pictures!

And as a current proud owner of a 100 pound Alaskan Malamute, previous owner of two pure bred (AKC Registered) Siberian Huskies, and one Siberian Husky/Samoyed mix, I tell all you PETA fanatics: you CLEARLY have no idea what a "working breed" is or what makes a "working breed" happy. Take your rubbish comments elsewhere. If you REALLY care about these specific types of animals, go rescue all the poor northern breeds that are cooped up in clueless owner's houses (most likely destroying things out of boredom.)

Oh they all look so happy! We have friends that have a dogs trained for a sled team and at all the races there are Vets and Vet techs to check the dogs. The dogs have real doctors, most races only have a "Qualified First Aid Certified" person for the humans.

I've heard of dog teams that WILL NOT WAIT for their "person" and have run most of the race without them!

I have a champ disk dog, and she believes I am PUNISHING her to make her stop "playing" when she starts to limp (she has mild hip dysplasia, on meds) because it nearly kills her NOT to be fetching. It's the same for these dogs. They want and need WORK to be happy. Something the PETA folks if they truely understood animals would know.

Once again proves that the Left (Liberals, Socialists and the like) prefer "lazy brain dead" to actual happy, working and living!

Last week, hundreds of dogs and cats owned by people that had their homes repossed were left to die of starvation in the abondoned homes.
You think treating them like the athelets they are and letting them run is crule? Go find one of these abondoned dogs and give it a home, then, maybe, I'll listen to you.

Fantastic pictures!!!!!

Sandra wrote: "Once again proves that the Left (Liberals, Socialists and the like) prefer 'lazy brain dead' to actual happy, working and living!"

Huh? This lefty feminist socialist loves those pictures and is owned by an Alaskan Malamute. Last I looked the PETA and so-called "animal rights" people were anything but liberal. Please check your stereotypes at the door and just enjoy the dogs!

As a veterinary student, and a long time veterinary technician and sled-dog lover before that, I think the people trying to spout statistics about dogs that died to prove that mushing is cruel need to do a little more research.

A study done (and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association) discusses the causes and reasons for death in 23 deaths over 13 years. These were the dogs that died during the Iditarod in care of the veterinarians on staff for the race. Many of the causes were things that could easily happen to animals NOT racing at full-out paces (such as gastric ulcerations, enteritis, aspiration pneumonia, and heart issues.

Of course, there are cruel people who will beat their dogs, or ignore problems. Those people are everywhere, including in vet schools and practice. But people who work with their dogs usually have a greater love and respect for those animals than a typical American family will ever have for their pet.

I do hope that the dog in pic #19 was cared for.
I do not think that this activity is any kind of cruelty to the dogs. I have seen where the dogs really enjoy doing what they do. I think that if the mushers take care of the dogs, their injuries, and are kind to the dogs the dogs will love the mushers in return. I do think that all of the dogs should have the little doggy shoes to help protect their paws. It could make a difference between a win or a loose in the races.
I really like the pics.

OFFICIAL IDITAROD RULES

http://www.iditarod.com/race/iditarodrules.html

It made me angry to read that some people believe this its "barbarism" and "disgusting". I totally agree with what #36 said, these dogs love what they're doing, its practically in their blood. Think about the poor husky somewhere chained to a fence in 80 degree weather... he'd love to be with his pals in these pictures!!

Let's kill and feed all PETA members to some hungry pitbulls! Then the world will be a better place.

The world would be a better place with a lot more dogs and a lot fewer people!

"If you're not the lead dog, the scene never changes!"

these dogs love to race - that's what is in their blood. nothing barbaric here - pure beauty and instinct. these pics are lovely.

Live in Alaska, grew up with sled dog racing in winter, dog shows in summer. Am a liberal feminist (for those who think we're all the opposite up here). Siberians and other spitz breeds are not like other dogs. They listen to what you say and weigh their options. Try training one to walk off leash. I've seen it done once, 2 malumutes with a Vietnam vet owner who took them everywhere on foot. Abuse can happen like any sport, but try staying in the competitive circuit if discovered. Running is what these working dogs are all about. The sled is just the way we can get to stay with them.

Amazing photos! The people crying about "did you see the blood" get a grip! I have 2 Standard Poodles that love to play in the snow. Unfortunately there are times if the snow has hardened by a slight thaw, they come in with cut paws and yes they are bleeding! But boy did they have fun! Maybe the ones crying about the blood on the paws don't live where there is snow or have never played in it. To them - GET A LIFE! To the mushers and their dogs, dang that looks like fun.

I've been there at the beginning of the Iditarod and it is amazing to see all the dogs get so excited and it is amazing how well they are cared for and loved... All working dogs are happier when they have a job to do.....

Any way you could post here the first picture in 1920x1200? I would love to have it as a wallpaper! Thanks.

Those fur people love their human buddy.You can see it in their eye's
I read all the comments and I'll wager a good percentage of you can look
in a canines eyes and tell if they have a good human buddy or not.

Great pictures look forward to more.
To all you that have experienced a true friend..

@The Humane Society :
"Did you see, BLOOD !!!"
Get a grip on reality, people, BLOOD is what you live on : ever wonder where the steaks, ham, fish or poultry you eat come from ?

"cute doggy" also butchers other animals, only then you call those smaller & less photogenic animals "food" ... will you put him behind steel bars for that ?

Feeding your kid is considered a good action ... but ... is it still one when you take the side of the hundreds of butchered animals per year that it takes ?
Maiming an animal is considered a bad action ... but ... is it still one when you take the side of the freezing person who depend on the aphathic animal's energy to get him back alive ?
[also, consider the 2nd World War : Churchill's a drunk who regularly beat his wife ... and Hitler's a sophisticated man who learned to paint & write ... who did History consider the "Good" one ?]

If you really want to experience a fulfilling Life, you'll want to make dangerous decisions, that is, the ones that NOW are putting you closer and closer to a prison cell, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE CONNECTIONS/MONEY TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE ... else, the only choice you'll have to 'DO NO HARM' is sitting in a cave (prison also works) meditating DAY AND NIGHT, hoping not to kill even a single bacteria ...

Life is ALMOST NEVER fully black or fully white ... varying nuances of gray appear, depending on your point of view !

It's called the Circle of Life ... get used to it, or prove that you can reliably teach cats to prepare Tofu instead of torturing&playing with mice !!!

As a last point, and as a COMPARISON BETWEEN ANIMAL AND HUMAN fate, do some research on the following :
- FEMA camps
- Georgia Guidestones
- What links are there between public state deficits and private central banks' profits ?

The dog is pic 19 is bleeding. Look at its leg. That's bad.
good photography though.

I grew up in Alaska and I remember that they would broadcast over the PA system at school the winner of the Iditarod. It is a long standing tradition, with both human and man devoted to the challenge.
Absolutely amazing!

GO #17

When the poor dog is bleeding on page 19 it made me cry! good luck.

My hunting dog tore her nail off yesterday while going to the bathroom. It happens.

Like mushing dogs, I know my Chessie would be miserable if she weren't out retrieving birds (or training to retrieve them). She'd just be a neurotic 85 pound mess.

This coming from a so-called "lefty". As said before, check the stereotypes at the door.

We used to own a sled dog, and I can tell you they love to do this. The animals are treated like royalty, and eat better than most humans do! Yes, you will have your mushers and dogsled teams that are rough to their dogs and treat them poorly. They will tend to filter themselves out of the business quickly as the BEST dogs on the track have made the route many times and lead where a human cannot even see. The overwhelming majority of these teams will see grown men wrestling in the snow like a child, playing with their dogs. Look at the straw in #8 and #9 - unneeded (their fur is phenominally thick) but it's there because they care.

#28's picture is much more common than #19's, and for 99% of the teams, if #19 happens, the dogs get medical care that rivals what a human celebrity gets. They are beautiful animals who absolutely love what they do. I miss our dog terribly (died after 18 long happy years).

If you have never been there to see these dogs run, then don't judge because you have no idea what you are talking about. All you need is one time watching a musher hooking up a team to see that they love it! They jump in the air and bark their excitement. Those left behind have very sad faces. I never fail to get emotional when I see a team running. I have now experienced the Iditarod 7 times, with 5 of those as a volunteer at the end in Nome and this year I volunteered at the end of the Yukon Quest. These dogs are better cared for than most children. Watch them in person - then decide if it's animal cruelty.

On a slightly different tack, one reason I love sled dog racing is that it is one of the few sports where WOMEN COMPETE ON THE SAME LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AS MEN. No handicap, same race. The big races take advantage of the type of endurance strength and cold tolerance that women can excel at. Iditarod winners Susan Butcher and Libby Riddles were inspirational athletes as well as dog owners/trainers.
PETA, on the other hand, is no friend to women with their repeatedly misogynistic ad campaigns (I'd rather be naked than wear fur) most recently featuring semi-nude strippers. Do they really need to exploit women to further their cause?

What is cruel is keeping this high energy dogs locked in your house all day.

147 is absolutely right! People who buy these beautiful, big dogs that should be outside with plenty of space only to lock them up in a condo all day are the ones harming animals. Anyone who says those doggers weren't born to pull has no idea of what they're talking about. These are some of the best dog sledding photos I've ever seen. Beautiful.

Im a life long Alaskan. We have sled dogs, one of which is champion blood raised by the late susan butcher for Jeff Kings Lonesome dove litter. (anyone interested in pups send me an email).

Its pretty easy for some folks to comment on something they know little about. ANd im not talkin research on the internet from you cozy warm house, with its microwave and 2000 channels of TV. People have become disengaged from nature, from reality in its natural form. we create our own realities and think differently than before.
Dont think that mushers that abuse the dogs, dont get in trouble for it. But for the most part the dogs are the mushers best friends. Dogs live for humans, thats why the old saying Man is dogs best friend. Horses do not respond near as well as dogs to human love.
The Message in photos like this, is your missing out on real stuff. You can watch discovery channel until you die and still not know the experience of mushing. The peace, the tragity, the calm, the excitement, the adrenaline, the sadness, the joy. Its all a part of life and living it. Those that think this is abuse, remember there is a human along with them, who is not as well adapted for the journey as the dogs. One could say its more human abuse than animal abuse. Mushers come home sore and tired after these races.
Our next champion, and newest dog.
http://www.sunstealer.com/thedogs/luna.jpg

Hey, guess what folks, PETA isn't supported by the vast majority of "Lefty Loonie Libruls". Why? Because we're educated enough to know that they don't do diddle sh*t for animal rights or the environment. PETA collects millions of dollars every year and do they build animal shelters for abandoned/stray pets? NO! Do they preserve any threatened habitats? NO! Do they do anything but send out idiotic pamphlets begging for donations and stirring up the fanatics who lack critical thinking skills? NO!

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/peta-time-to-reform.html

P.S.
john squire 102, The dog is locked in a car in ALASKA in FEBRUARY. Some how I don't think the "poor" pup is dying of heat exhaustion. sandy boss 108, See Jenn @ 125 comment about dog deaths. Plenty of them died of things that kill house pets that DON'T run the Iditarod... and some of them were trampled to death by moose or other wild animals. Not by abusive owners. Most mushers are dog lovers. That's why they engage in a sport with very little return. Dog racing is expensive. Very few folks make a profit at it..and that is very small. Much less than, say, jobs at a nice comfy desks. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-847.html

#149, Exactly!
What these people don't realize is that we are more in tune with our dogs, there is no music or commercial breaks, it's 24/7 dogs and an experience that can only truly be understood by living it.

#150, I second that! thanks for the link!

Stunning, beautiful photographs of an incredible event.
Here in Sydney, Australia, we must travel about 200 miles or so to see it, consequently, (my) knowledge of Idtarod is minimal. That said, it is abundantly clear that all contestants, human and canine, share the excitement and joy of participating, the very obvious, unforced, mutual competitive spirit, and 'that' which is the stuff of Champions, mutual respect and love. I have competed in team events, and whatever the result, the memory of the Team Spirit remains 'till my last breath, they are the best of times!.

Nice one Eric (#53), I'm smilin' even as I type.
Mate, if we Humans had within ourselves what that dog is displaying, running a marathon every day before breakfast would not be worthy of mention.
What a splendid shot of a completely focussed, motivated individual, (the dog), as my Drill instructor would have said, "People, THAT is 110% commitment and dedication!, (pause, projects 'steely' look), are you good enough to exceed that number"!? - (after that we would be willing to put tomato sauce on housebricks and eat them!),. Ahhhh, , the fun times of competition and honourable exhaustion......

I can't understand how somebody who hasn't even been near one of these dogs could consider this cruel. Granted, there are mushers who are bad people, but far and away they are more likely to 'spoil' their dogs rotten with the best care possible. I'm owned by a husky, and let me tell you, he loves NOTHING more than running. Including food! It's quite a chore to make sure we're providing him with a good amount of exercise, and plenty of mental stimulation to keep him from being bored, especially now that he is 12 years old, and getting a little stiff and sore.

And me? I'm a liberal bleeding heart kinda girl, but taking away the jobs these animals love and are bred for is the cruel thing, .

OUCH at pic #19

bleeding dog feet....

Love these dogs for they bring much joy just to see the look in their eyes when they are at work.... it is nothing but pure love they have for thier work and their owners...

I went on a four-day dogsledding trip about ten years ago and wondered myself beforehand whether it was cruel to the dogs. I wondered if the dogs would actually want to run. When we went to pick our dogs from the area in which they all lived, every single dog was jumping around in anticipation of being chosen to run. After that experience, and after the four days of being with the dogs, I came to the conclusion that the dogs love to run.

Beautiful animals and wonderful photos....thanks for posting these......Coooooolllllld

i love all of da picture picture
there kute

i love dods and its looks very nice out there and i hope the best person win

Woot Woot!!!!... Lance Mackey and lead dog Larry Win the 37th annual sled dog race a little after 11:30 am this morning.....CONGRATS LANCE & LARRY!

I really think they shouldnt b alowed to do this

awesome lance mackey won the race this is I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE IDITAROD THS IS SO AWESOME he is like my hero and since hes got throat cancer its makes it even better he pushed the boundries of time and made it.

amazing. fantastic. great!

Outstanding !!!

I have read about dog sledding when I was young (long ago). But this time I see it.
It's very amazing.

OH YOU GUYS ARE CRUEL

PICTURE #13 LOOKS LIKE A DOG SLAVE.

DOG SLEDDING IS ABUSIVE AND EXCRUCIATING.

EVER TRYING RUNNING IN THE SNOW WITH JUST SOCKS?

STOP DOG SLEDDING AT THIS INStANCE!!!

I AM REPORTING ALL OF YOU.

My Aunt has a Husky/wolf mix. 130 pounds. Every year all winter the neighbors call animal control on her for leaving the dog outside. That is ridiculous. They should call animal control on her in the summer when they real look like they need help. This dog cries and begs to go outside and cries when you bring him in. He loves the snow and the colder it gets the more he wants to play. He even loves sleeping in the snow. It is so funny to watch him make a bed. He builds the snow up around him like a little igloo. Good stuff

The dogs are out there doing what they love. Think of it, would you tell a child he/she could not go out and play, ride a bike, learn a sport, or do anything physically active that promotes health and vigor all because of the possibility of getting hurt or a little bloody? How many times did you as a child skin your knee? Yes, it hurt, but for me and probably for you-it was worth all the fun.

Loved the loyal blue eyes in picture #1.

cool

Dog sledding is a cold sport that dogs (that are well cared for and meant to do this) love to do. I love animals and hate to see them abused. Dog sledding is not a cruel sport.

what a pretty picture is the first one the dogs eyes are super cute...

Dogs are not MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's my dog in a box!

Dogs will love there friends and bite there enemies,unlike humans who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate!
In memory of the great "obanski boof" may the sport live on!

84.

well, dogs could run without the harnesses... these dogs were not designed to run with harnesses but I think the people make them do this.

Everyone who talks about the cruelty of it all needs to shut up, go up to Alaska and see for yourself. You get blisters and shin-splints when you run a marathon, and it's not cruel. Why do these people never talk about the cruelty of horseback riding?

This is sick

I like that it is amazing.

Thanks for beautiful pictures! And for those of you who think these animals are abused; think again. The fact is that dogs who are not happy wont run. And mushers with dogs who wont runt - wont win.. Go figure..

my favorite pic is 21 i thought that one was cool

To anyone talking about animal cruelty here...I had a Syberian Husky as a pet, and my older brother took it as one of his sledding dogs in the PIRENA race; and I can assure you these dogs LOVE IT and always are pretty excited to go for a run. Just look at photos number 21 and 22, do the dogs pictured seem anxious or mistreated to you?

As someone noticed, also quit whining about the injured dog, it's just an injure probably caused by some stone or small piece of wood or something like that buried in the snow...the musher will take care of the wound, guaranteed.

#23 Is Hans Gatt with Newton Marshall and his Iditarider, Beth Jones. Let me tell you...this was one awsome ride.

cool dogs but... they could be little cute

#86 Read --> The images are still great. photography is photography, either if its happy, sad, pain, or other.

I agree wit the dog sleders i bet those dogs are having more funn than any other dog in the world those are some of the best pics in the world......(179) do those dogs look sad in most of those pics??????...tha images are awesome..good job

like thes pecture

SUBLIME

I appreciate the comments that those ignorant of the sledding sport, those, just on the outside, looking in, should be slow to judge, and certainly more educated before they do so. I can understand why so many dog-sled lovers-----no, dog-and-sled lovers---would be irritated and frustrated with us. How can we hope to have an worthwhile discussion otherwise. I understand that the dogs thrive in these harsh Alaskan challenges, but aren't the longer, time-intensive races too physically demanding of them? Could they be just as happy running alot, but alot less, all at one time? Of course, they'd be safer. Or am I missing the point, for them...Maybe they instinctively long for the run, at all costs, or even until it Costs all. Some creatures are driven like that. For me, the consideration is, then what is our responsibility as their guardians.

How is letting an alaskan malamute or husky pull a sled with 15 other dogs, different than letting your child play a big game of tug-o-war? These amazing dogs were born for the cold, to run, work, and hunt. Its not like people are tying up 6 poodles to a car and forcing them to haul it. I own 3 big dogs, and when it snows and it does, ( we had 4 ft last year, Go washington state!) i let my dogs run around out side all day until I need to lock up. These dogs love what they do. No dog has ever died on the iditarod because it was treated inhumanely. If you are going to bash the Iditarod, do some research first. I know I will be participating in the 2011 iditarod when I can get the time off of school.

HI

The dog on pic #19 seems to have a broken toenail--it looks bad, but it's nothing serious.
My mom's a vet. I know these things.

Yes, working a dog to death is illegal. (working ANYthing to death is illegal) However racing dogs is not. If they're suffering, I'm sure that the mushers care for their dogs and try to heal them. Heck, some of 'em don't WANT to stop running! (My dog is like that, but he doesn't race. He's a German Pointer) Amazing pic on the Husky's eyes. I love Husky eyes :)

You guys that are hating are so stupid. Damn. These dogs probably get faster care at the vet then you get at the doctor. And they love to run. I would agree with you but i cant honestly can't remember the last time that i said to someone else's kids "hey stop having fun. Are your parents really doing that to you?" Just think a little.

huskys are the best

omg they are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOT THE GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

i like dogs