What does dogsledding mean?
Dogsledding is the practice of travelling over snow and ice in a sled that is pulled by a team of trained dogs, usually northern breeds such as huskies or malamutes. Once an essential mode of transport and freight delivery in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, it survives today chiefly as a recreational activity and competitive sport, most famously in long-distance races such as Alaska's Iditarod. The term is used both for casual outings — tourists may go dogsledding on holiday in Canada, Scandinavia, or Alaska — and for serious endurance racing. A related term is 'mushing', which refers broadly to driving a dog team and derives from the command 'mush', itself a softened form of the French 'marche' (go). Dogsledding evokes images of rugged wilderness, human–animal partnership, and polar exploration, and it remains culturally significant in northern communities where sled dogs were historically indispensable.
nounThe activity or sport of travelling over snow in a sled pulled by one or more dogs, typically huskies.
- The sport or activity of travelling across snow on a sled drawn by a team of dogs.
"They spent a week dogsledding across the frozen wilderness of northern Norway."
"Dogsledding has long been a vital means of winter transport in Arctic communities."
"Tourists flock to Alaska every year to try dogsledding under the northern lights."
As a mass noun denoting an activity, dogsledding does not take a plural form.
"Dogsledding was once the lifeline of remote Alaskan settlements."
A single team of sled dogs can cover more than 100 miles a day — and the lead dog sets the pace for the whole line by voice command alone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dogsledding
Dogsledding is a compound of 'dog' and 'sledding', the gerund of 'sled'. The noun 'sled' entered English in the late Middle English period, probably borrowed from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch 'slede' or 'slee', cognate with 'sledge' and 'sleigh'. The compound 'dogsled' arose in North America during the nineteenth century, when dog-drawn sleds were widespread in northern territories, and 'dogsledding' developed naturally from it to describe the activity.
Related word forms
How dogsledding is actually used
The word is most common in North American English; British usage favours 'dog sledding' as two words or the term 'sled dog racing'. It is often used interchangeably with 'mushing', though mushing technically covers any dog-drawn transport including wheeled rigs. The verb form is 'to dogsled' (past tense 'dogsledded').
Easily confused with dogsledding
Skijoring is a similar winter sport in which the person is pulled on skis rather than riding in a sled.