Cross Breeds

Could a boarder collie do the big race across alaska in snow dogs like nana done?

Public Comments

1. Border Collie* The race depicted in that movie is not across Alaska, that one is the ‘Arctic Challenge’. Something made for the film to be in to give it more of a story line. It’s actually something skateboarders/snowboarders take part in. The one you’re thinking of is the Iditarod. A border collie was initially bred for work in cold regions of England and Scotland. Here it can reach very cold temperatures, but not nearly as cold as Alaska. It’s tough, and gruelling for the dogs, and the musher, and the terrain is very different from grassy mores which the border collie is used too. Some dogs used aren’t always mals or huskies, they can be different breeds, but I don’t think the collie could, even though it is fast & wishes to run, mals & huskies were bred for that job specifically. Iditarod race; http://www.iditarod.com/
2. I doubt it, not without being bred to do so. They'd need a thicker coat amongst other things.
3. i have both and my husky is big and strong along with really thick fur and he hates the warm weather and will not venture out until it is cool where as my border collie is a lot smaller and she gets cold faster in the snow than bear.she has lots of fur also but it is very fine and she only sheds a little. the husky sheds all the time and i pick up blobs of hair all day long and when u pet him it flys out so huskies are more adapted to the cold areas and they have fur and skin like a incubater to protect them from the elements all yr round.i am sure bc can be trained to be sled dogs and would get use to it if they are born into it.
4. Not impossible! Although they are not eligible to run in the iditorod anymore. One fellow completed the race with a team of poodles (really, an experienced musher did this as a lark, with a well conditioned and trained team of poodles!!). As funny and neat as this was, the committee that runs the race were not amused and changed the rules to prevent this! Didn't want poodles horning in on the sled dog action I guess!
5. Sorry no The rules for the Iditarod, Yukon Quest and all other distance sled dog races state "Rule 43 -- Dog Description: Only dogs suitable for arctic travel will be permitted to enter the race." Boarder Collies do not have the undercoat or feet suitable for arctic travel. And as a note Annie, the poodles also did not have a thick undercoat, and as I heard it they could not insulate themselves, it was a decision made for the health and welfare of the dogs.