Cross Breeds

When seriously running a sled dog (malamute), how often do I stop to let him drink?

Not sled dog racing, but bike-joring... we go about 10-12mph for about 8 or 10 miles in about 45 mins or so usually.. and he doesnt drink during this time. But he gulps water down when we get home.... should I be stopping half way to let him drink..... or could it lead to problems like bloat? FYI, we run in COLD weather.. theres 13 inches of snow on the ground and its 15 degrees out right now...so he's not in a warm climate. Anyone run dogs? thanks for the article Chris- dunno why people thumbs-down you. From reading it, it sounds like my best bet is to water him a good while before we run. Hoped you'd answer Loki, as a person who knows the sled dogs, I value your opinion more than others on here. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Read this article it has some great answers in it for you.
2. Just give him A LOT before you leave and A LOT when you get home. Don't go in between that's like you drinking a gallon of water and trying to run... uncomfortable. Good Luck xxDaisyxx<333
3. don't stop in between you could stop to rest for a few minutes like 10-15-30 just give water when you get home.
4. Sled dogs are bred to be able to go *very* great distances (not sure of the exact mileage) without stopping. They have a curious metabolic system that allows them to reserve the majority of their food/water intake. Also, those dogs were bred to withstand below-zero temperatures. They are normally just fine in negative temps, so I'm sure above 15 feels pretty good to them. So, no, don't stop in between. Give them enough (not a whole lot) an hour or two before you leave, allow them to urinate if needed, then hit the trails.
5. If it's not hot, I wouldn't let him drink mid-run. I have bikejoring friends who will stop and let their dogs wade around in a creek mid-run to cool them off in the summer, but not now. If he was hot, he'd be trying to grab mouthfuls of snow while he was moving down the trail. You can "bait" water pre-run to get him hydrated (add a sprinkle of kibble or stir up a bit of canned food in the water to get him to ingest more of it), but I wouldn't let him drink a whole lot right after a run, either. Just a normal amount, then a break, then more, etc.
6. Loki's answer is great, I would only add one thing. And that is when we water for a run we do not do it right before we go, we do it and wait an hour to let it 'soak in' and then go. You can also buy powered drink supplements like Energy Pak and Impact to bait water with. Dissolves right away and is less messy then meat. And it has fat and a little protein for energy.