Sled dogs generally live longer than most breeds of similar sizes for several reasons: 1. Exercise. Their active lifestyle is a huge contributor to their long lifespan.
What is the lifespan of a sled dog?
The "average" career of a sled dog at Bush Alaska is probably 8-10 years - sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less - and most of them live to ripe old ages after they retire. They often live 14-16 years... quite old for big dogs!
What is the oldest sled dog?
The 9500-year-old remains of a dog found on a remote island off Siberia are remarkably similar to living sled dogs in Greenland, genome sequencing has revealed. The discovery shows that people bred dogs for pulling sleds more than 10,000 years ago.
Do sled dogs get tired?
Despite consecutive days of strenuous exercise, the dogs don't become fatigued like human endurance athletes do. Instead, they rapidly adjust to the demands of running the race. This physiological capability makes sled dogs the perfect athlete for the Iditarod.
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