How do you feel about keeping a dog that you don't really need but want because of their ability to work? I need to get her hips and elbows xrayed but I'm fostering a 3 year old husky named Dart and I've started thinking about keeping her for the express purpose of being a bike dog/potential carting dog.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/multimedia/os-dog-cart-riding20110711,0,6829579.story

Ever since I've seen this video I've wanted to do it. I also had a dalmatian who went running alongside my bike with me for miles (up to 15 sometimes) and I greatly miss it, as does my health!

We're capable of providing her a loving home inside with high quality food and vet care, but I don't need another pet. I guess I just feel morally torn about this. I've always taken a dog as a pet, even when I bought Radar for the purpose of competition, he's still a pet.

How are you going to feel about the dog if she turns out to not be good at the job you have selected for her? - will you consider her a pet then? What happens if she is injured or something happens that she can't work anymore, and dogs do eventually age. If you can't consider her a pet then you shouldn't keep her.

I don't know... If you're not looking for a pet, don't do it. I've never been able to rehome my animals, even if they didn't work out for my intended sport (like my GSD, Eagle). Once they're here, they stay. Why can't you teach Radar to cart?

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

How do you feel about keeping a dog that you don't really need but want because of their ability to work?

Well, that would describe why I kept most of my dogs, so I guess I don't have a problem with it. Do I NEED 6 dogs? No, but my older retired dogs aren't going anywhere, and my younger injured dog isn't going anywhere, and the other dogs are the ones I'm training/competing with for fun and/or have for my breeding program.

Biggest concern I would see is if these are new venues for you, what happens if the dog is great at it, but you quickly realize it wasn't as much fun as you thought it might be, and don't want to do it anymore? Or the venues are fun, but the dog isn't as good as you thought. Will there be other possible jobs for the dog or ???

The other thing to consider is if you have the resources (time, space, money, etc) for another dog?

Go for it. she doesn't work out spay her. (if she isn't already) and find her a good home where she is the # 1 dog in the

To be honest....there's no reason Radar couldn't do it and it may be more fun. Especially if you just want to try it out (you could always add a second dog later for a two dog hitch!)


I was in to bikejoring a little while ago and went on a few outings with a group down the road. All but one other person had northern breeds...I have a 50lb cattle dog cross... He learned quick, enjoyed it just as much, and pulls like an ox in harness. We had no issue keeping up most of the time. The one other person who had a different breed had a 40lb pitbull...they also raced and won often. If you want to try it out do that with Radar when he's old enough (start teaching those commands now). Pretty much any dog can pull a bike (my parents 30lb portuguese water dog is trained to pull a bike or skis and pulls my not-30-pound-father with ease). My dog is also cart broke and can be driven. From what I understand huskies aren't even the chosen breed for that. I like my dog's precision and careful speed control when in the cart, his ability to think about how he moves in harness...I wouldn't want the "OMG RUN DOWN THE TRAIL" of a husky if I"m in a cart...

If you are in Louisiana, a northern breed may not be the best choice for a carting or biking dog due to their lack of heat tolerance. She is going to require a lot of indoor exercise in the summer months, esp. if she's used to lots of energy burning activity (IMO) I'd wait for another breed if it were me. But ultimately consider all aspects before you decide. Good Luck

I've seen some very fast malinois in harness on the skijor trails. They are competitive. Malinois have won the Finnish national skijor races etc. Malinois seem to be especially popular for pulling sports in Europe: Malinois bikejoring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlwaEm6JhN8
Video of non-traditional breeds (including GSD and malinois) skijoring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H5a0o76zEQ

The breed of choice for many sprint mushers, bikejorers and skijorers is German Shorthair pointer mixed with greyhound. Or Alaskan husky (husky, greyhound, saluki, pointer, village dog mixes) The reasons for this are primarily that the pointers they choose for sprint racing would run themselves to death. Literally. Therefore, training them to run hard the entire time in harness is a cinch. Plus, they tend to be more malleable, more heat tolerant, can be 'free dropped' and, are well, slightly less intelligent than the tradional northern breeds.

A husky or husky-mix, on the other hand usually won't run himself to death, and is more of an independent, thinking dog. In a hot climate, that may mean he won't run much at all. I'm guessing if I brought my skijor dog down to New Orleans and asked him to run in August, I'd get about a half mile out of him before he was looking for the closest bayou to jump in.

Also, depending on the breeding, a 'husky' may or may not be inclined to pull at all. It really varies. You'd want to try her out a few times before finalizing any decision.

If you want to get into bikejoring for real, and are planning to continue to live down south, I can recommend some excellent pointer or greyster breeders for you- dogs that are pretty much guarenteed to run and pull. Or, I'd recommend fostering a German shorthair pointer. Some very successful bikejorers adopted their pointers from the pound.

Try your malinois out. He may suprise you.

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

the pointers they choose for sprint racing would run themselves to death. Literally......and, are well, slightly less intelligent than the tradional northern breeds.

ROFL...Kiersten, you just nailed my Pointer, all in that short quote. She's sweet, but well.... stupid.

I think I'd rather shoot myself in the foot than ever own a pointer or hunting breed ever again. Saying Birdie was 'stupid' is an understatement. She took pride in the fact that she was dumber than a box of rocks.

We're moving to Michigan in two years. Not only do I hate living in the 'deep south', but New Orleans is a cesspool of disease and crime. Highest murder rate in the entire nation.