Poodles in the Iditarod

No, seriously.

They did pretty well for a while. And then they were banned from the race.

It all started when Alaskan John Suter bought three standard Poodles in 1976 and found they loved running in the snow. Instead of just enjoying sledding with his dogs (and possibly he was hoping for a movie deal), he became serious about being a Poodle musher and turning his Poodles into racing sled dogs.

He brought in experienced sled dogs and mushers to teach the Poodles who (of course) learned very quickly. After spending thousands of dollars of his own money, he appealed to Poodle owners to help finance his plan. His main purpose he said was to dispel the “wimpy image” of Poodles.

Poodle owners who for the most part love the social graces and strong verbal skills of the breed were not concerned with their “image.” Having them compete in an activity foreign to their natural breeding seemed pretty senseless. So there was not an outpouring of support.

Suter’s efforts did bring publicity to the Iditarod. But it was not the kind of publicity that some traditionalists wanted.

Eventually, however, Poodles did well in the marathon race where even finishing is an accomplishment.

In 1988, with a part-Poodle team, Suter placed 38th out of 52 starters in the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. He subsequently ran the Iditarod with an all-Poodle team; his team entered and finished the race in 1989, 1990, and 1991. Source

This feat combined with the wins of Susan Butcher in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990 made the unofficial slogan, ”Alaska, where women win the Iditarod and men mush Poodles,” very popular.

As the Poodles continued to draw attention, murmurings from the other mushers began quietly and got louder, whether they were concerned for the Poodles’ well being or for some other reason. No one doubted they had the heart to race. The question was did the breed have an unfair disadvantage.

After one Poodle was frozen to the ground while a TV crew was filming (the dog was freed quickly with no ill effects), it was determined that Poodle paws and their coats, which lack an undercoat for warmth, were not suited for competition in the harsh northern climate.

For whatever reason, all dogs except Northern Breeds are now banned from running the Iditarod.

Someone (no doubt a Poodle person) suggested in a forum that mushers didn’t want Poodles kicking Husky butt.

Comments

[Dan]

That is a fantastic bit of trivia. Poodles are such multi faceted dogs. I recently recommended the breed to someone who was looking for a hunting companion but wanted a very reliable dog around his small children.

[George Roach]

An excellent and informative article, !" I am thinking that rather than being worried about the poodles kicking husky butt, the other mushers really were concerned for the poodles safety.

[Diamond Emerald-Eyes]

That is very facinating. Cats do not pull sleds and we certainly have no desire to race to anything, except maybe the food dish.

[jackie]

yeah, they were afraid they'd look bad when the poodles took first place..haha..that's funny..not what i said ...your story...

[threecollie]

I once watched a team of all border collies run away with my friend's son driving and my kids riding in the sled...it was exciting to say the least as they were headed right for the road. However, when my friend, their veteran sheep dog trial trainer hollered, "lie down!", they did. lol

[schnoodlepooh]

I have no doubt that poodles can do anything, but if they aren't really suited for it, then I guess it's best that they don't do it. I don't like the idea of them freezing to the ground or anything else harmful happening to them.

[Coll]

haha.. that may be true .. but take it from me.. it ain't fun to be cold. :-)

[Louka]

One day I will have a mushing poodle. It's true, though, in those extreme northern climes that I would probably take a husky over a poodle out of concern for the poodle's well-being. But poodles being very smart and agile, they would probably mush perfectly in our southern-canadian weather, which isn't that cold (despite the rumours). I think probably one of the best team combinations would be having a poodle lead dog, malamute wheel-dogs and huskies in the team positions to combine the best of intelligence, strength and speed. Hmm. Something to think about.

[cube]

Poodles are surprising dogs.

[Julie]

I had never heard this before about poodles & the iditarod - how fascinating.

[Matt]

oh boy...more pro-poodle propaganda :-)

[Jan]

Ha ha, Matt. Poodles don't get much good publicity.

[Jimmy]

Oh, I loved that story Jan! Now that's entertainment!
It does seem like the cold would be rough on their paws.
I read today where Police dogs in Dusseldorf Germany would be fitted with special shoes/doggie booties for assignments where there was a danger they could encounter glass shards or discarded drug-users' needles!

[Aimee]

I remember hearing about that sometime ago! I guess it is good that they aren't doing it if they really can't handle the conditions, but it sure would look cool!

[Sling]

While I do believe that Poodles have the strength,and heart,I have to agree that they aren't sufficiently adapted to the climate.
But who cares?..they are champions at the purposes for which they were bred!

[Jan]

Sling, Your striking good looks are matched only by your discerning taste.

[Turbo the Sibe]

They could have put boots on the poodles and coats too. They should have! The more the merrier! Woo!

[Kelly]

Poodles are wonderful dogs and can accomplish anything with which they are tasked and with much more enthusiasm than most breeds. Long live the Poodle!!!

[Jack Anderson]

I have a five year old male poodle, Max,and he has been pulling for four years but not sleigs,
wagons. He pulls two wagons with a kid in each one. If I knew how to email a picture I would. Jack

[Marc the Lizard Man]

My friends (CB & BD) love poodles but had no inkling of their remarkable accomplishments. In fact, my friends were taken aback by this sudden revelation. Standard Poodles are amazing dogs, and I think everyone should have a cool (standard) poodle.