Canicross is a form of mushing, a winter sport where a sled is pulled by dogs. The animals are guided by an expert standing on the sled, who directs them on where to go, when to brake, when to accelerate, etc.
Canicross is originally similar to mushing, but in this case there's no sled involved. Instead, the practitioner, like the dogs, must run. You run with the animal attached to your waist via a belt or harness. Therefore, you need to be in excellent shape to maintain the good pace of the race.
As it's difficult to practice on snow (though not impossible, as some people do it), it's most commonly done on land. But if you want to try it, the first and foremost recommendation is that you must love nature and animals; otherwise, you'll find it very hard to adapt.
A mix between mushing and athletics makes this one of the sports that has been gaining the most followers in recent years.
They say a good friend is worth their weight in gold. A dog is one of those true friends who never lets you down. Therefore, doing activities with them will create fun and unforgettable moments.
If you decide to take this hobby into competition, you should know that there isn't a specific dog breed required for this sport. However, the conditions are that the dog must be in good physical shape, able to run, and at least one year old—though you can start training with them earlier. Larger hunting dogs or Nordic breeds like the Siberian Husky and its mixes are preferable.
Practising canicross requires you to remember that your pet must always stay ahead of you, meaning you can never be the one leading (at most, they can run beside you). You may only pull them if there's a change of direction or if the situation demands it (distraction, conflicts, tricky paths...).
In competitions, the routes usually range between 5 and 10 km in length and can be done in two types of starts: either in groups or in phases (the latter requires staggered starts with several seconds between each runner). All competitions require strict veterinary checks to ensure the animals are in perfect condition.
Every year, canicross becomes more established in Spain, as it's a sport you can practise with your pet, enjoy your free time with them, get physical exercise, and even enter the world of competition. What more could you ask for?
