Hound dogs are coming back, it's a revival. German shorthairs and pointers are also breeds being used. But using scientific breeding methods doesn't always produce a winner. Even if a dog isn't cut out for mushing, the Nolkes tend to keep it around. The couple said they will probably find Bobeck a good home, but neither one seems in any great hurry to see him leave.
Sled dogs are like human athletes and have to train constantly.
Pulling the 20-pound sled isn't necessarily hard for the dogs, but it requires them to work as a team. Leaders are unique dogs, there aren't that many of them and most people don't have enough leaders. Leaders are key dogs and if you don't have a leader you can't race your dogs. Then you have team dogs placed depending on what capabilities they have. In the back are 'wheel' dogs, generally dogs that are physically tough.