DCHP-1 Online

sled dog

• 1 a dog, as an Eskimo dog, used to pull a sled (def. 1), especially in the North. See 1577 quote at sled (def. 1). [See picture at sled dog.]

  See also: Eskimo dog  hauler  sled (def. 1)  sledge-dog  sleigh dog  

  • 1692  (1929)  Now as for a woman they [Indians] do not so much mind her for they reckon she is like a Slead dog or Bitch when she is living & when she dies they think she dyes to Eternity. . . .
  • 1777  (1792)  . . . finding my sled-dog lame, I defered my journey and went to Pinchgut Point and Alder Head.
  • 1910  For the ten sled dogs 30 lb. pemmican and 500 lb. fresh deer meat was needed, giving an average of 3 lb. per dog per day.

• 2 See 1896 quote.

  See also: steer-dog  

  • 1896  (1898)  The "sled dog," usually the heaviest in the team is trained to swing the head of the sled away from obstacles; it is important that he should be well trained when following a crooked track through the forest.
  • 1903  Dave was wheeler or sled dog; pulling in front of him was Buck, then came Sol-leks; the rest of the team was strung out ahead, to the leader, which position was filled by Spitz.
  • 1921  Off they went, the two leading dogs pulling the wolf along from in front, while the sled-dog nipped him from behind and encouraged him to go ahead.