If you go to www.sleddogcentral.com you will learn a lot also. The idtarod race gets the most press but there are tons of other races all over the country. we have 2 larger ones here in Montana. My friend has 80 dogs, I'm there about 6 times a year for the last 6 years and I have NEVER seen a poop pile any where. Jeff walks out of the house and says quiet and not another peep (till harnesses come out) . No loud yell just quiet. It is so amazing he rescues dogs and trains them them offers them to people for a sack of dog food (donation) He tries to keep his team down to 80 dogs .