DCHP-1 Online
wheel-dog 
n. of a dog team, the dog nearest the sled in a tandem hitch, or either of the two dogs nearest the sled in a fan hitch. [See pictures at fan hitch and tandem hitch.]
See also: fan hitch steer-dog tandem hitch wheeler
- 1922 I put a smaller dog named Mike in the lead and hitched Steal up next the sleigh as my "wheel-dog."
- 1941 The wheel dogs--those nearest the sled--and the leader are allowed a trace six feet long, the others being about five feet.
- 1965 l firmly believe that the "wheel-dog," next to the sled, can upset one any time he wishes.
- 1922 I put a smaller dog named Mike in the lead and hitched Steal up next the sleigh as my "wheel-dog."