Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
I always felt so sorry for dogs in the Iditarod and other races like that... but these dogs actually look happy. Are they? I don't know much about the sport at all, but I always hated being made to run so much I always felt like animals (like dogs and horses) felt the same way and so I felt sorry for them..
I believe they are happy. You should see the chaos when the harnesses come out--dogs jumping, yelping, completely excited to go. This is what Huskies were bred to do and what they do best. There is no way to force a dog to run. A dog who doesn't want to pull simply won't. A dog that is afraid of it's driver won't pull. Sled dogs, particularly those who are in these types of races have to be well cared for. A dog who isn't in top shape won't be able to do these kinds of races and the team won't get very far.

I believe that most sled dogs are happy, healthy dogs. While they aren't treated like pets, they get the best food, warm houses, regular contact with their humans, lots of attention and tons of exercise. I know many pet dogs who would give anything for that kind of life!