Lots of mushers do, especially competitive mushers. Once a dog can't run/race anymore, they are often placed in other homes--recreational teams or as pets. Competitive mushers tend to place their dogs when they are around 6-8 years old. When you have a big kennell adult dogs(many serious, competitive mushers keep hundreds of dogs) and puppies born every year, it's not realistic to keep them all. Some dogs are sold. A lead dog from a well know bloodline with breeding potential can command prices of up to 10 grand.Originally Posted by buttercup132
Some mushers keep their seniors. I have a friend who has a special section of her yard that she calls the retirement home. Some only keep dogs who have extra special meaning to them--outstanding leaders or their first puppy, ect.
Unfortunately, there aren't enough homes for retired sled dogs, not all of them adapt well to being pets, ect, ect and many sled dogs end up dead.
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