Libby Here!

Lots of the email that boys and girls sent us this year asked about what the dogs wore during the race. Here is a sample of one of our letters:

Dear K-9 Reporters,

Our class is following the race. We saw on the Insider Video that the mushers wear winter gear that keeps them very warm. We know that the dogs wear booties to protect their feet from getting cuts, but do the dogs wear any protective clothing?

Thanks,

Students in Mrs. Lockhart’s class
4^th Grade, Florida

Thanks for the question, students!

We all know that the dogs have natural coats that keep them warm. The dogs are used to the climate and weather conditions. Dogs that race in Iditarod are a northern breed, born and raised to be able to race in Alaska’s weather conditions.

But, sometimes, the dogs do wear coats to help keep a healthy body temperature. Sometimes at checkpoints when the dogs are resting on the straw, the musher cover them up with blankets, too.

Think about this, why would some dogs wear white coats and some dogs wear dark coats when they run? This would be a great question for a class discussion in science class.

Just spinning some de’tails’!

Libby

February 16, 2013

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