Exercise is an important activity to combat the negative effects on our physical and mental health, but how about including your child in this activity to strengthen the relationship?
In addition to keeping your dog in good shape, it can be a hobby he forms a stronger bond with and feels like playing with.
Eukanuba Scientific Communication technical advisor, Rita Domínguez, suggests doing physical activity with your pet in addition to its regular walks, because even if it is a walk, the activity it will do will help it to better exercise its muscles and mind.
However, it should be borne in mind that the activity will depend on its breed, size, age and physical condition, which has been previously evaluated by your veterinarian. If you’re already thinking about it by now, the new trend of exercising with your pet is going to get your attention.
Surely the idea of dogs pulling a sled in the snow comes to mind, but it is a sport that cannot be practiced only in this way, because now you can do it in the city thanks to its variants.
Mushing dates back to the early 20th century, where dogs were trained to pull sleds and transport people or goods, primarily in Canada and Alaska. In 1925, Husky Balto and Gunnar Kassen brought penicillin to Nome in a 1,084-kilometer sled, a race that helped start the practice of walking.
Nowadays, this sport has become very popular, so you can practice some of its variations on ground where there is no snow. An example of this is Canicross, which does not require a vehicle, as it consists of running with your back tied around your waist by means of a harness and a shooting line attached to your dog’s harness.
However, if you want to feel like you’re on a sled, you can do bikejöring, where you ride your bike and your dog or dogs drag it forward and pull to pull it. If it’s with a dog, the rider pedals, and if it’s dragged by more dogs, the pony is on a bicycle without pedals, something similar to skiing.
It is important to choose an activity that the loins can withstand, as it is not for all breeds. Given the nature of the sport, to practice this discipline the most suitable breeds are Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamund, Samoyed and some crossbreed dogs.
Any medium-sized breed older than a year and weighing between 20 and 30 kg can practice any of these sports, always advised and trained by an expert. As you can see, this practice is for very active dogs.
If you are interested in starting to practice this sport, consider going to a sports club where it is practiced to find out about the activities and talk to the people who practice it, as they can give you a better view of the sport.
Mexico has several groups, the first being Urban Mushing in Querétaro, but there are now more groups available across the country such as Guadalajara, Puebla, León, Monterrey and more. Baggage cost per bag can range from 1,400 to 4,000 pesos.
