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DOG SCOOTERING » What is Dog Scootering? » Would my dog like it? » What do I need? What is Dog Scootering Dog Scootering is a sport practised pretty much worldwide and derived as a summer version of the snow sport of dogs pulling a skier or a sled, but where a dog or a dog team pull a rider on a scooter (see the pictures on the Photo Gallery page). Obviously this is derived from the Inuit and Siberian necessity to tow goods and persons by dog teams over snow and ice; the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyeds and other Eskimo (Inuit) and Greenland breeds being those recognised by the kennel club as being specialised for this work. Scooters are much preferred to bicycles for this activity because (like sleds) the rider can give active scooting help uphill and because scooters are lower and safer and therefore you can just step on and off - you don't fall! Any suitably trained dog can and does enjoy this exercise activity. Most large dogs, particularly members of varieties bred for work actually need and enjoy this kind of activity and it's clear from the way the sport is growing in the UK that dog owners and riders love it too. There are now several organisations and groups which advise on, set up meetings for and list and comment on dog scootering events in the UK (see our Useful Links page) - you can contact these by telephone or email and find out much more about what, why, where and when. For example, all events now of the BSHRA (Siberian Husky specialist club) include scooter events. See www.snopeak.com for complete lists of events, news and much other useful information for the sport in the UK). Would my dog like it? One of the contributors to the Yahoo news group 'Dogs Love to Run' has measured the force needed to pull a scooter carrying an adult on a flat tarmac surface - it's about 4-5lbs. Most even relatively small dogs are easily capable of doing this and of course, the amount of help you give depends on your dog, the surface and the gradient where you are riding. Most of the experience shared on this Yahoo Group suggests that quite young dogs can be safely introduced to the sport - in the States, there are even pulling training schools. Again, contact any of the organisations listed on the Useful Links page for much more information. What do I need? The first consideration is the scooter. Dogs don't like to (and shouldn't for long) run on a hard surface, so the safest and best riding is off-road on trails, tracks or grass. You therefore need a scooter with off-road tyres and designed for the rigours of roughish surfaces and terrain. The larger the wheels, the more easily a bike rolls and copes with bumps and ruts on the terrain - don't choose a small-wheeled scooter and definitely not a micro! The Kickbike® X-Country is specifically designed (in Scandinavia) for this use and is currently used by a number of dog scooter enthusiasts in the UK. The X-Country is a very high quality machine, has suspension forks and front disc brake and has been designed and proved for serious cross-country racing by athletes. A Kickbike® has quick-release wheels and easily fits in the boot or back of most cars. There is no other scooter available at anything like the Kickbike® price which combines the ruggedness, ride safety and quality of the Kickbike®. Special harnesses are available to allow your dog to work without injury (see www.culpeppers.co.uk) and you need a tow cord with an elastic buffer in it to stop any jolts of the scooter feeding back to your dog - that's it - ride on!
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