A woman canicrossing with two dogs

Canicross is the sport of cross country running with dogs. Originating in Europe as off-season training for the mushing (sledding) community, it has become popular as a stand-alone sport all over Europe,[1] especially in the UK, and the United States.

Canicross can be run with one or two dogs, always attached to the runner. The runner wears a waist belt, the dog a specifically designed harness, and the two are joined by a bungee cord or elastic line[1] that reduces shock to both human and dog when the dog pulls.[2]

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. Some breeds are very well suited to not only running and pulling but running at steady pace over a long distance.[3]

A competitor at Paws In The Park canicross event

Canicross in Europe

The first canicross event staged in the UK took place in 2000.[4] In 2006/07 CaniX UK ran the first UK National Championship, the 2015/16 season will be the 10th UK National Championship. During this period over 2,500 UK dogs/competitors have taken part in 250 CaniX events. In March 2008 CaniX UK ran the first ever cani-cross event at Crufts, the largest dog show held in the world. Over 100 runners and their dogs took part in the event. In October 2012 CaniX UK hosted the first ECF European Canicross Championships in the UK in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Representation in the UK to the International Canicross Federation is through the British Sleddog Sports Federation (BSSF)[5]

Canicross events are held all over the UK and Europe by sleddog organisations, by canicross clubs and also many running events will allow runners to participate with their dogs. Distances vary, with events held to cover distances from a mile up to 28 miles or more.

Canicross in the UK

The 21st instance of the ICF International Canicross Federation Championships will take place in Bierawa, Poland on the 6 and 7 October 2018.[6]

Canicross in Italy

In Italy canicross is sanctioned by the CSEN (sports promotion organisation officially recognised by the Italian National Olympic Committee),[7] and also by privately held circuit FISC.

Canicross in the United States

Canicross, sometimes referred to as urban mushing, caniXC, or caniX, is lesser known in the United States, but most prevalent in cooler climate areas.[8]

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Robertson & Mead (2013), p. 100
  2. ↑ Gibeault, Stephanie (February 19, 2020). "How To Get Started In Canicross: Training Your Dog As A Running Buddy". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  3. ↑ "What is canicross?". Non-stop dogwear. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  4. ↑ Hammersley, Matt, Keeping fit in the summer months, Dog World, archived from the original on 4 March 2016, retrieved 26 September 2014
  5. ↑ "sleddogsportsgb.com". www.sleddogsportsgb.com.
  6. ↑ "Location of ICF WC 2018 in Poland". Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  7. ↑ "Enti di Promozione Sportiva". www.coni.it. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  8. ↑ USA, Canicross. "Canicross USA". Canicross USA. Retrieved 2023-08-08.

Sources

  • Robertson, Julia; Mead, Andy (2013), Physical Therapy and Massage for the Dog, CRC Press, ISBN 978-1-84076-609-7
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