Dogs at Betcha Katcha are bred not only for strength and stamina, but also for an amiable social nature. According to the breeder, the dogs are as strong as they are affable. The strength of the Alaskan dogs is said to exceed that of the elephant. Because of their skeletal structure, the dogs are capable of moving more weight, pound for pound, than elephants. A highly trained sled dog is capable of pulling up to 2,000 pounds.
Endurance is another characteristic of the competitive dog.
To be eligible for competition, the animals must be able to maintain a speed of 20 miles per hour for 12 miles. Good breeding is half of a winning equation, Lori said, and training is the other half. Lori begins team training in the fall. She invests between four and five hours per day in training four to five dog teams. Another four to five hours each day is devoted to associated tasks.