Modern day sports born out of ancient traditions
Sled dogs have been bred to pull in the Arctic for at least 8,000 years and, along with watercraft, were the only transportation in Arctic areas until the introduction of snowmobiles and airplanes in the 20th century, hauling supplies in areas that were inaccessible by other methods[1]. They were used in the explorations of both poles, as well as during the Klondike gold rush. Sled dog teams delivered mail to rural communities in Russia, Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Sled dogs today are still used by some rural communities, especially in remote areas of Russia, Canada, and Alaska as well as Greenland.
How TCDPS came about
In prehistoric times, a strong history and culture of testing working ability was an important part of breeding decisions. Unfortunately, in the modern family home, having a strong instinct to pull is now often viewed as undesirable. Folks who wish to take advantage of their dog’s innate pulling abilities often struggle to find safe and accessible ways to do so. Breeders do not have a venue to demonstrate the correct temperament and instinct which formed the basis of their breed. In 2019, a group of like-minded individuals recognized that they needed to make dog powered sport knowledge more accessible and Twin Cities Dog Powered Sports was born.