The Modern Sled Dog
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Wall of Champions

The Modern Sled Dog, also, Wall of Champions. . , The Modern Sled Dog , The original sled dogs were chosen for their size, brute strength and stamina, but modern sled dogs are generally mixed-breed "Alaskan" huskies who have been bred for generations for their endurance, strength, speed, tough feet, good attitude and appetites, and most importantly their desire to pull in harness and their abilities to run well within a team., Some kennels still concentrate solely on pure-bred sled dogs, typically Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes or Canadian or American Inuit Dogs, but the majority of modern sled dogs found in long-distance races are truthfully "genetic mutts" and the name that is most commonly used to refer to them as a group today is "Alaskan Huskies.", What Makes a Good Sled Dog , These modern sled dogs come in many different shapes (or conformations), sizes and a wide variety of colorings; from as small as 35 pounds up to 70 pounds or more. Typically, the modern long-distance Alaskan Huskies weigh between 45 and 60 pounds. Mushers strive for a well balanced dog team that matches all dogs for both size (approximately the same) and gait (the walking, trotting or running speeds of the dogs as well as the 'transition speed' where a dog will switch from one gait to another) so that the entire dog team moves in similar a fashion which increases overall team efficiency. Mismatched teams (large and smaller dogs, different running styles and gaits) can also perform well in long-distance sled dog races, but usually mushers will try to build their teams from sled dogs of similar size, structure and gaits., Alaskan Huskies , "Alaskan Huskies" are the most commonly used breed of sled dog in the North today. This cross-breed between any of the pure, northern canine breeds and other types of dogs is the result of many generations of genetically purposeful breeding that began in the late 1800's and continues to this day., These sled dogs can outrun almost anything on four legs over distances greater than 50 or 60 miles. They are well-known for their very tough feet, strong hearts and insulating undercoats are incredibly strong-minded while still being dedicated to the humans who love and care for them, and truly enjoy running in harness with their teammates and their mushers. Their sense of self confidence and individual accomplishment come from their ability to work in a manner similar to how their canine ancestors once worked...and the excitement in their eyes and voices when they are harnessed for a run or a race clearly illustrates this deep seated genetic drive to pull that defines modern Sled Dogs of the North., Source: www.yukonquest.com, Wall of Champions, . Yukon Quest Champions , 1984 Sonny Lindner · 12 days, 0 hours, 5 minutes , 1985 Joe Runyan · 11 days, 11 hours, 55 minutes , 1986 Bruce Johnson · 14 days, 9 hours, 17 minutes , 1987 Bill Cotter · 12 days, 4 hours, 34 minutes , 1988 David Monson · 12 days, 5 hours, 6 minutes , 1989 Jeff King · 11 days, 20 hours, 51 minutes , 1990 Vern Halter · 11 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes , 1991 Charlie Boulding · 10 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes , 1992 John Schandelmeier · 11 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes , 1993 Charlie Boulding · 10 days, 19 hours, 9 minutes , 1994 Lavon Barve · 10 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes , 1995 Frank Turner · 10 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes , 1996 John Schandelmeier · 12 days, 16 hours, 6 minutes , 1997 Rick Mackey · 12 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes , 1998 Bruce Lee · 11 days, 11 hours, 27 minutes , 1999 Ramy Brooks · 11 days, 8 hours, 27 minutes , 2000 Aliy Zirkle · 10 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes , 2001 Tim Osmar · 11 days, 13 hours, 38 minutes , 2002 Hans Gatt · 11 days, 4 hours, 22 minutes , 2003 Hans Gatt · 10 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes , 2004 Hans Gatt · 10 days, 17 hours, 54 minutes , 2005 Lance Mackey · 11 days, 32 minutes , 2006 Lance Mackey · 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes , 2007 Lance Mackey · 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes , 2008 Lance Mackey · 10 days, 12 hours, 14 minutes , 2009 Sebastian Schnuelle · 9 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes, Golden Handler Award , The Golden Harness Award is presented to the Champion lead dogs in recognition of their loyalty, endurance, and perseverance throughout the race. Winners are served perfectly prepared steaks at the Yukon Quest finishers banquet., 1984 Crusher and Mercury · Sonny Lindner , 1985 Firlen · Joe Runyan , 1986 - Bruce Johnson , 1987 Pelé · Bill Cotter , 1988 Tempy and Ruff · David Monson , 1989 Molar · Jeff King , 1990 Molly and Scar · Vern Halter , 1991 - Charlie Boulding , 1992 Tess and Arrow · John Schandelmeier , 1993 - Charlie Boulding , 1994 Yump and Tip · Lavon Barve , 1995 Buck and Grizzly · Frank Turner , 1996 Gin Gin · John Schandelmeier , 1997 Leon and Cindy · Rick Mackey , 1998 Clovis · Bruce Lee , 1999 Pretty Boy · Ramy Brooks , 2000 Pedro · Aliy Zirkle , 2001 Virginia and Beltane · Tim Osmar , 2002 Havana and Bonzo · Hans Gatt , 2003 Havana and Milos · Hans Gatt , 2004 Havana and Felix · Hans Gatt , 2005 Hobo Jim and Larry · Lance Mackey , 2006 Hobo Jim and Larry · Lance Mackey , 2007 Hobo Jim and Lippy · Lance Mackey , 2008 Handsome and Rev · Lance Mackey , 2009 Nemo and Inuk · Sebastian Schnuelle