Category Archives: Dog Activities

Dog Activities, Health, Nutrition

Do Sled Dogs Need Lots of Carbs Before a Race?

When we humans prepare for a marathon, we eat lots of carbs in the days before the race to increase stored muscle energy. But sled dogs have much different metabolic needs. For them, fat content is far more important, with fats making up as much as 60 – 70% of their diets.

How do I know this? Because the Iditarod has launched a new Ask an Iditarod Vet feature, answering all your questions about sled dog health.

I know there are people who think these endurance-based sled dog races are cruel, but these athletic dogs love their jobs and are probably treated better than yours and mine. And it’s not just about racing; I heard today that some of Alaska’s ballots were delivered to their election boards by sled dog!

You can send questions for Iditarod veterinarians to Krystin at [email protected]

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Dog Activities, Training

COVID19 Sniffer Dogs

Although the virus reportedly makes you lose your sense of smell, it apparently gives you a particular odor dogs can sniff out.

The airport in Helsinki, Finland, is testing passengers for Covid-19 by using trained dogs to sniff out the virus. NBC’s Kelly Cobiella joins Shep Smith on CNBC to discuss what could be a new way to detect for Covid-19.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Dog Activities

Please Vote!

Photo: WJAR
Photo: WJAR
If you’ve been living under a rock and somehow haven’t seen the news, tomorrow is Election Day. If you’re not one of the more than 95 million people who voted early, please let your voice be heard tomorrow.

Can’t stomach any of the mainstream candidates? You can always write-in Oliver Winston Churchill Finelli, a 2-year old Golden Doodle who is running “because people suck.” Continue reading Please Vote! →

Dog Activities

INAUGURAL AKC FAST CAT INVITATIONAL COMING TO ORLANDO

From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: Which dog is the fastest in the country? The AKC Fast CAT Invitational will answer that question, as the speediest canines gather for this inaugural, invitation-only event. Dogs of all breeds participate year-long, around the country, in AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) – the 100-yard dash for dogs.

Held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, the fastest dogs from each breed, based on rankings from AKC Fast CAT Tests, have been invited to participate in Orlando, FL for the designation of Fastest Dog USA or Speed of the Breeds Champion. All dogs will run three times, with the cumulative speed determining the fastest dogs. The third and final round will be held on Friday, December 11th. Dogs will compete in two final divisions: Fastest Dogs USA and the Speed of the Breed Championship. Fastest Dogs USA will be the outright fastest dog according to miles per hour. Speed of the Breed will be determined by the percentage of speed run over the average speed for that breed. Continue reading INAUGURAL AKC FAST CAT INVITATIONAL COMING TO ORLANDO →