Cani cross
Encyclopedia
Canicross is the term used to describe the sport of cross country running
with dogs. Originated in Europe
as off-season training for the mushing
(sledding) community, it has become popular as a stand-alone sport all over Europe, especially in the UK. Canicross is closely related to bikejorring, where participants cycle with their dog and skijoring
, where participants ski
rather than run.
Canicross can be run with one or two dogs, always attached to the runner. The runner typically wears a waist belt, the dog a harness, and the two are joined by a bungee cord
or elastic line that reduces shock to both human and dog when the dog pulls.
Originally canicross dogs were of sledding or spitz types such as the husky
or malamute but now all breeds have begun taking part including cross breeds, small terrier
breeds to large breeds such as rottweilers and standard poodles. Not only can all breeds run but people of all ages and abilities can take part. Including children and the disabled such as the visually impaired. Some breeds are very well suited to not only running and pulling but running at steady pace over a long distance. Cani-cross is now not only a great way for the runner to keep fit, but great for the dogs too. It encourages people and their dogs to take part in outdoor activity and meet other like minded individuals.
In March 2008 CaniX UK ran the first ever cani-cross event at Crufts, the largest dog show held in the UK. Over 100 runners and their dogs took part in the event.
Canicross events are held all over the UK and Europe by sled dog organisations, by canicross clubs and also many running events will allow runners to participate with their dogs. The European Canicross Federation (ECF) can be contacted for more information on events held within Europe.
Distances vary, with events held to cover distances from a mile up to 28 miles or more.
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
with dogs. Originated in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
as off-season training for the mushing
Mushing
Mushing is a general term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land...
(sledding) community, it has become popular as a stand-alone sport all over Europe, especially in the UK. Canicross is closely related to bikejorring, where participants cycle with their dog and skijoring
Skijoring
Skijoring is a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog or a motor vehicle. It is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving.- Dog skijoring :...
, where participants ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
rather than run.
Canicross can be run with one or two dogs, always attached to the runner. The runner typically wears a waist belt, the dog a harness, and the two are joined by a bungee cord
Bungee cord
A bungee cord , also known as a shock cord, is an elastic cord composed of one or more elastic strands forming a core, usually covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath...
or elastic line that reduces shock to both human and dog when the dog pulls.
Originally canicross dogs were of sledding or spitz types such as the husky
Husky
Husky is a general name for a type of dog originally used to pull sleds in northern regions, differentiated from other sled dog types by their fast hard pulling style...
or malamute but now all breeds have begun taking part including cross breeds, small terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
breeds to large breeds such as rottweilers and standard poodles. Not only can all breeds run but people of all ages and abilities can take part. Including children and the disabled such as the visually impaired. Some breeds are very well suited to not only running and pulling but running at steady pace over a long distance. Cani-cross is now not only a great way for the runner to keep fit, but great for the dogs too. It encourages people and their dogs to take part in outdoor activity and meet other like minded individuals.
Canicross events
CaniX UK are the official body for cani-cross in the UK and the UK representative on the European Cani-Cross Federation (ECF) affiliated to 11 countries.In March 2008 CaniX UK ran the first ever cani-cross event at Crufts, the largest dog show held in the UK. Over 100 runners and their dogs took part in the event.
Canicross events are held all over the UK and Europe by sled dog organisations, by canicross clubs and also many running events will allow runners to participate with their dogs. The European Canicross Federation (ECF) can be contacted for more information on events held within Europe.
Distances vary, with events held to cover distances from a mile up to 28 miles or more.
External links
- CaniX UK - official website, CaniX membership, CaniX events calendar, UK Team and ECF UK contact, CaniX running and dog gear
- European Canicross Federation (ECF) - official website, European Canicross and Bikejor Championships
- Canicross Trail Runners - Organisers of canicross events
- Snowpaw Store - Canicross, skijoring and other sledding equipment resource
- Skijoring resources and information
- Akna K9 Academy Dog Training including canicross running group (Trainer of womens Crufts winner)
- The website of Canicross Trail Runners - www.canicross.com
- Canicross Nederland - Organize and inform about canicross events
- Canicross Adventures - Information, free events, group runs, discussion forum
- UK Group Finder - find you local canicross, bikejor, scootering and dog-carting(rigging) club