I won't run little dogs. I just won't. They can look like a million but they don't contribute anything. I run the biggest, fastest, toughest dogs that can make the given distance. If that doesn't win for me, so be it.
Intelligence is huge for leaders.
We've had some really smart leaders, watching them make seemingly impossible passes is one of the highlights of my mushing career. But I only take that so far. Above all else, we are a team, and nobody gets to put their own personal priorities ahead of what's best for the team. Some of my favorite dogs are not leaders. My all time favorite is Willie, a 65 lb.