Outdoor sports to enjoy with your dog this winter

When the air gets cold, and the winds are icy, it's often more tempting to bundle up in front of a roaring fire than to put your nose outside. And yet, as any skiing enthusiast will tell you, winter is a time for play! Your canine companion probably shares this view, and his need for exercise doesn't diminish with the cold weather. Why not use the cold weather to discover new outdoor sports with your dog this winter?

Canicross

Canicross is an activity that involves running with your dog to travel pre-set distances together. It's a great way to bond with your furry friend while benefitting from highly stimulating physical and mental activity.

There's not much to the equipment, but it must be adapted: the human should wear a belt connected to the dog's harness by a bungee lead. Particular attention must be paid to the choice of equipment. An uncomfortable harness will make the activity more demanding and could even injure the dog.

Canicross is a real sport, with races all over Quebec. Visit Sports Canins Attelés Québec [French only] to learn about upcoming races, get started, or know more about the sport.

For less athletic dogs and folks, Canicross can become Canirando, which you can easily practice in your neighbourhood streets or on municipal or national park trails that allow canine presence. Make sure your park accepts dogs before you go by visiting the Sépaq website.

Also read: Choosing the right collar, harness and leash for your dog

Skijöring

Inspired by Canicross, Skijöring, or harnessed skiing, uses a similar approach and the same equipment, plus cross-country skis. The ride is usually faster and requires a better-adapted path.

This time, the animals do most of the pulling. If you think this is an easy sport, think again! Humans also have a lot of work to do, otherwise the team wouldn't get very far. Much practice and training will help you get the hang of the sport, so you can become skillful and go faster on the trails!

Kicksledding

Everyone knows about dog sledding. Well, kicksledding is a lighter version! The dog is strapped onto a lighter piece of equipment — similar to cross-country skis joined by handlebars. The dogs, once again, do the pulling, as they are in front! who is being pulled like a sled, helps out with the more intense uphill climbs, but most of the time, they just get pulled around. Kicksledding is a great activity for families and youngsters!

Is your dog fit for harness sports?

Your dog can enjoy these activities regardless of breed. Obviously, those requiring more intense pulling are reserved for larger dogs. Moreover, puppies under 18 months of age should never be harnessed.

However, when it comes to Canicross and Cani-rando, any dog can participate regardless of size, breed or age, as long as the dog sets the pace, with the human contributing the same effort as the dog. Any dog can therefore enjoy this sport, as long as they go at their own rhythm and are eased into the activities with regular training sessions. Most importantly, the equipment must be adapted to the specific dog. We’ve even seen dogs weighing no more than 12 pounds in provincial Canicross competitions!

Besides keeping both dog and human active, these canine winter sports have another undeniable advantage: they create a strong bond between teammates, uniting them in the activity and allowing them to enjoy the charms of winter, the scenery and the fresh air!

Please note that Quebec has a federation [French only] dedicated to the development of harnessed dog sports.

Also read: How to accurately measure your dog for a perfect fit