Canicross

Do you have a dog that takes you for a walk? Or can you imagine your dog pulling you up a pine-shaded mountain trail while you jog behind? Then try canicross, the sport of running or walking cross-country while tethered to a dog in harness.

By La Donna Seely, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: July 3, 2008 - 9:45 AM

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Upcoming Canicross Events:

July 12: Minnewashta Regional Park, Chanhassen
July 26: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Preston
August 9: Carver Park, Victoria
August 16: Afton State Park, Hastings
September 6: Minnewashta Regional Park
September 27: St. Croix State Park, Hinckley

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Sport summons pulling instincts

Canicross utilizes the same harness equipment used by mushers and skijorers - except that both human and canine traverse the countryside on foot. Canicross summons an instinct in dogs that like to run and pull. Local business owner and dog lover John Thompson, who started Skijor Now (www.skijornow.com), produces harnesses, bungees, belts, quick releases and other necessary sport-dog equipment. His products make skijoring (cross-country skiing while tethered to a dog), bikejoring (biking), rollerjoring (rollerblading) and canicross safe and comfortable for owners and dogs.

"The way dogs pull is not fluid and even," Thompson says. "The proper equipment helps smooth out their gait and absorb the shock between the person and the dog. When the dog pulls, the bungee will elongate and retract, which moderates the forces between the person and the dog, making it a comfortable, rather than jerky, situation."

"The fact that any dog can do it is what makes the sport so much fun," says Thompson. "When we have an event you see Alaskan huskies, German shorthair pointers, poodles, Labs, golden retrievers, whippets ... everything!"

Thompson explains that Canicross is a growing, fun sport, in which the dogs can get better exercise than by running or trotting alongside their owners. He adds, "The dogs really enjoy the freedom to exert themselves against the harness. The owner gets exercise, too. It's a truly unique exercise for both and that's what makes it intriguing."

Dry land sports on the rise

Since Minnesota has so many sport enthusiasts, it stands to reason that groups who practice dry land dog sports are springing up. In lieu of sleighs on snow, participants use scooters, carts, bikes and running shoes in tandem with teams of dogs to move along at high speeds. The Midwest Skijorers Club (www.skijor.org) sponsors canicross fun runs, races and clinics. Points Unknown (www.points-unknown.com), who provides sled dog adventures at Gunflint Lodge during the winter, sponsors a canicross hiking club from May to September. Hikes led by owner Linda Newman cost $10 each, are between two and six miles in length, and are held throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. n

La Donna Seely is a volunteer for A Rotta Love Plus, www.arottalove.org, an award-winning rottweiler and pit bull rescue, adoption and education organization.