How Fast Can Dogs Run in Dog Sled Races?

Sled dogs can run 100 miles a day for a week or more in long-distance sled dog races. How fast they run depends on the race distance and type.

  1. History

    • Dogs accompanied humans to the New World at least 15,000 years ago over the Bering Strait. They have been used as pack animals and harnessed as sled dogs for thousands of years by Native American cultures.

    Tour Sled Dogs

    • Tour sled dogs pull people and cargo. They do not travel great distances, but they must sometimes pull heavy loads. Their speed is the slowest, topping out at 10 mph.

    Long-Distance Sled Dogs

    • These are the famed sled dogs that run 1,000-mile-plus races such as the Iditarod. They put in more than 100 miles a day so they have to pace themselves. They average 5 to 15 mph.

    Middle-Distance Sled Dogs

    • Middle-distance dogs run races of 100 to 300 miles. They pull lightweight sleds and average 8 to 15 mph.

    Sprint Sled Dogs

    • These are the speedsters of the sled dog world. They run short races of no more than 30 miles with empty sleds. They clock in at 15 to 20 mph over the entire course.