Working Program > Sled Dog Title Program
Sled Dog Title Program
The purpose of the Sled Dog Degree program is to demonstrate the ability of the registered Siberian Husky in sled dog racing competition. The program is open to all purebred Siberian Huskies individually registered with the American Kennel Club. There are three degree levels:
Sled Dog: awarded the SD suffix
Sled Dog Excellent: awarded the SDX suffix
Sled Dog Outstanding: awarded the SDO suffix
Rules and Eligibility:
The applicant must be a purebred Siberian Husky registered with the American Kennel Club. Dogs with an ILP/PAL registration are eligible.
Spayed or neutered dogs are eligible.
The applicant may work as part of a mixed breed team.
All races must be on snow with sleds held under the direction of a Recognized Race Giving Organization with race rules and recorded results.
The applicant dog must run the entire race as a member of the team.
No more than three races per season may be on the same trail and administered by the same Recognized Race Giving Organization. You are encouraged to race in a variety of locations against a broad spectrum of competition.
A dog's application may include any combination of successfully completed races to apply for the Sled Dog Degree. Successfully completed races shall be as follows:
For Distance Races: the total MINIMUM mileage shall be: eight (8) times the number of dogs for the six (6) dog maximum class; nine (9) times the number of dogs for the ten (10) dog maximum class and ten (10) times the number of dogs for the unlimited class.
For Sprint Races — Limited Classes: the MINIMUM mileage per heat shall be equal to than the class team size. In no event shall the mileage be less than four (4) miles per heat. Example: If a class is listed as six-dog, the mileage per heat must be at least 6 miles per heat; otherwise that race cannot be counted toward an SD degree.
For Sprint Races – Unlimited Classes: The MINIMUM mileage per heat for unlimited classes shall be not less than ten (10) miles.
For Stage Races: the total mileage of heats may be used if each division meets class requirement mentioned in distance & sprint.
· Teams may choose to compete in any division (example: pro, sportsman or purebred) offered by a Race Giving Organization for any class. The calculation, however, for a "successfully completed race" is based on the fastest times for all teams of the same size, running the same trail and distance. ( since 11/91)
· For the SD degree, the calculation may be based on the fastest times for all purebred teams only if the class is clearly defined as a purebred class in the official published results.
· Example: You run your purebred team in the six-dog class at a race offering only a six-dog pro and a six-dog sportsman class, both of which run on the same six-mile trail. No purebred class is offered, so you elect to run in the sportsman six-dog class. Your time must be within the 1.39 factor of the average of top three fastest times in both classes in order to qualify for the SD degree.
· Where subsequent heats of a race are canceled or reduced, qualifying mileage from complete heats may be counted towards a degree.
· Mileage for a single degree may be accumulated from season to season.
· Mileage earned for one degree may not also be applied to a higher degree.
· Races held outside the USA may be used to accumulate qualifying mileage.
· Mileage cannot be "rounded up" to the next whole number. The dog must actually complete the full required distances.
· The degree must be applied for within two years of completing requirements for that dog.
Each individual application for a degree must include:
A copy of the dog's AKC Registration (or ILP/PAL Registration) papers
A Completed Sled Dog Degree Program application from SHCA
Certified Race Results for applicant team signed by Race Marshal, Chief Judge, or Timer
Printed Race results which include date, finishing times & placing
Requirements for Award of a Sled Dog Degree
SLED DOG (S.D.) This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP/PAL-registered Siberian Husky who has demonstrated a basic level of proficiency in sled racing by earning a total accumulation of not less than 100 miles in not less than three successfully completed distance races or five successfully completed races when using sprint or combining sprint, mid-distance, and distance. (Rule revised 1/2017)
SLED DOG EXCELLENT (S.D.X.) This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP/PAL-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated a high level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded the S.D. degree. Accumulation of not less than 150 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required. Please include a copy of the dog's SD title certificate when applying for an SDX title.
SLED DOG OUTSTANDING (S.D.O.) This degree recognizes the AKC registered or ILP/PAL-registered Siberian Husky who demonstrated an outstanding level of proficiency in sled dog racing and has been previously awarded he S.D.X. degree. Accumulation of not less than 200 miles in not less than five successfully completed races is required. Please include a copy of the dog's SDX title certificate when applying for an SDO title.
"SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED RACE" means completion of a race:
1. SLED DOG degree in purebred class competition:Team completes the race with a time no greater than 1.33 times the average finishing time for the fastest three purebred teams in the same size class. NOTE: Purebred classes must be defined as such in the official published results.
2. SLED DOG degree in mixed-breed class competition:Team completes the race with a time that no greater than 1.39 times the average finishing time for the fastest three teams in the same size class.
3. SLED DOG EXCELLENT degree: Team completes the race with a time that is not greater than 1.29 times the average finishing times for the fastest three teams in the same size restricted class.
4. SLED DOG OUTSTANDING degree: Team completes the race with a time that is not greater than 1.25 times the average finishing times for the fastest three teams in the same size restricted class
5. Low Entry - 6 entries or less for six dog or smaller; 8 entries or less for seven dog and larger classes: A "successfully completed race" means:
For SD against purebred competition: Team’s time is no greater than 1.33 times the winner's time
For SD against mixed-breed competition: Team’s time is no greater than 1.39 times the winner's time
For SDX: Team’s time is no greater than 1.29 times the winner's time
For SDO: Team’s time is no greater than 1.25 times the winner's time
In the event the applicant dog successfully completes a distance race of 900 miles or more within the qualifying times the five race requirement will be waived and the appropriate sequential degree will be awarded. This program will be retroactive to December 1, 1983.
Once a degree has been completed and approved by the Working Committee the appropriate initials denominating the degree may be used after the dog's name. The dog's name will be listed in both the SHCA Newsletter and the SHCA Annual Directory in recognition. A Certificate suitable for framing will be awarded.
Rules Revised May 10, 2016
Application and Race Certification Forms
Application for SHCA Sled Dog Degree form in fillable PDF format: SD Application. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, fill out, and print these forms. Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe website.
SHCA Race Certification form in fillable PDF format: Race Form. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, fill out, and print these forms. Reader is available free of charge from the Adobe website.
Contact the Working Programs Chairman when you are ready to mail in your application packet. The Chairman will tell you which reviewer you should forward your complete application packet to. Your application may not always be assessed by your nearest local reviewer.
Wayne Curtis, SHCA Working Programs Chairman
PO Box 874615
Wasilla, AK 99687-4615
E-mail: teamsw@mtaonline.net
Current regional reviewers are:
ALASKA & WEST: Carol Nash, PO Box 877591, Wasilla, AK 99687-7591, marlytuk@yahoo.com
EAST: Carolan Appleton, 841 Surrey Lane, Media, PA 19063, knegakennel@gmail.com
MID-WEST: Mary Groth, 3465 Boston Mills Road, Richfield, OH 44286, mgrothshca@gmail.com