Canicross
{{Short description|Sport of cross country running with dogs}}
Image:Racheal Bailey of Akna K9 Academy with two of her running dogs.jpg
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,{{sfnp|Robertson|Mead|2013|p=100|ps=}} 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{{sfnp|Robertson|Mead|2013|p=100|ps=}} that reduces shock to both human and dog when the dog pulls.{{Cite web |last=Gibeault |first=Stephanie |date=February 19, 2020 |title=How To Get Started In Canicross: Training Your Dog As A Running Buddy |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/canicross-goes-beyond-running-with-dogs/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=American Kennel Club |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=What is canicross? |url=https://www.nonstopdogwear.com/en/magazine/what-is-canicross/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Non-stop dogwear |language=en}}
Image:One of Akna K9 Academy' runners with a CSv Wolfdog cross also owned by Akna K9 Academy.jpg
Canicross in Europe
The first canicross event staged in the UK took place in 2000.{{r|Dog World}} 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} Representation in the UK to the International Canicross Federation is through the British Sleddog Sports Federation (BSSF){{Cite web |title=sleddogsportsgb.com |url=http://www.sleddogsportsgb.com/ |website=www.sleddogsportsgb.com}}
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 Italy =
In Italy canicross is sanctioned by the [http://www.csen.it CSEN] (sports promotion organisation officially recognised by the Italian National Olympic Committee),{{Cite web|url=http://www.coni.it/it/enti-di-promozione-sportiva.html|title=Enti di Promozione Sportiva|website=www.coni.it|access-date=2017-07-06}} and also by privately held circuit [https://www.sportcinofili.it 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. It is gaining momentum through organizations such as North American Canicross, the United States Federation of Sleddog Sports, regional sled dog clubs, and Kenosha Running Company. There are several sanctioned events throughout the year. North American Canicross offers a Titling Program where members can record mileage and races and earn challenge coins. {{Cite web |last=USA |first=Canicross |title=Canicross USA |url=https://canicrossusa.org/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Canicross USA |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |last=North American |first=Canicross |title=North American Canicross |url=https://nacanicross.com/about/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=North American Canicross |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |last= International Sled Dog Association |first= null |title=International Sled Dog Association |url=https://isdra.org/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=ISDRA |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |last= United States Federation of Sleddog Sports |first= null |title=United States Federation of Sleddog Sports |url=https://usfss.org/ |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=USFSS |language=en-US}}
References
Citations
{{reflist|refs=
|last=Hammersley
|first=Matt
|title=Keeping fit in the summer months
|url=http://www.dogworld.co.uk/product.php/98777/1922/keeping_fit_in_the_summer_months_by_matt_hammersley
|accessdate=26 September 2014
|publisher=Dog World
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213145/http://www.dogworld.co.uk/product.php/98777/1922/keeping_fit_in_the_summer_months_by_matt_hammersley
|archivedate=4 March 2016
|url-status=dead
}}
}}
Sources
- {{citation |last1=Robertson |first1=Julia |last2=Mead |first2=Andy |title=Physical Therapy and Massage for the Dog |year=2013 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-84076-609-7}}
External links
- https://canicrossuk.com
- http://www.cani-fit.com
- {{official website|http://www.canix.co.uk/|CaniX UK}}
- [http://www.sleddogsportsgb.com/ British Sleddog Sports Federation]
- [http://www.cclz.nl/ Canicross Limburg-Zuid]
- [http://www.canicross.org.uk/ Canicross Trailrunners]
- [http://canicross.international/ International Canicross Federation]
- [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=1Nl7TcgStwe5_gsKfORhpzUbkjUg Canicross map]
- {{official website|http://www.canirunners.co.uk/|UK Group Finder}}
- {{official website|http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/sports-and-activity/running-and-canicross/ |Inner Wolf}}
- {{official website|https://dogfit.co.uk/pages/canicross/|DogFit}}
- {{official website|https://nacanicross.com/about| North American Canicross}}
- {{official website|https://isdra.org/|International Sled Dog Racing Association}}
- {{official website|https://usfss.org/|United States Federation of Sleddog Sports}}
{{Authority control}}