The Best Wood to Use to Make Dog Sleds

Dog sleds are built to be strong and flexible. While modern builders incorporate fiberglass, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic and aluminum into sled dog design, wood is still the most resilient material. Different types of wood are used to build dog sleds. Choosing the best wood to use in making a dog sled depends on the intended use of the sled. Ash, birch and hickory are common choices for building a dog sled.

  1. Use of Sled

    • The design of a dog sled and the choice of materials used to build it center on the sled's intended use. For example, a sled used for carrying large loads needs to be more rigid and heavier than a racing sled. Sled dog racers generally prefer strong, flexible and lightweight sleds. Some woods are heavier than others, and some are more flexible.

    Ash

    • Ash, particularly white ash, is a common choice for making a dog sled. White ash is lightweight and resistant to shock, making it a good choice for recreational and racing mushers. Since some parts of a dog sled, such as the runners, need to be bent, using a bendable wood is critical. Ash is a bendable wood.

    Birch

    • Birch is also a bendable wood. Birch is also light and shock resistant, making it a good choice for recreational and racing mushers. Birch is, however, more likely to break under constant stress. Racing mushers may need to replace birch parts more often. Since birch is common in Alaska, it is used regularly in making dog sleds.

    Hickory

    • Hickory, another bendable wood, is also used to build dog sleds. Hickory is strong and hard, but it is heavy. Hickory is a good choice for a sled designed to carry large loads. Oak, also a hard and heavy wood, is less resistant to shock, but it has a natural resistance to decay.