Dog mushing has been a way of life for centuries. It has roots in ancient Arctic cultures when sleds were essential for transportation. The modern sport began to take shape in the late 19th century in Alaska, with the first office race, The All Alaska Sweepstakes, held in 1908. Over the decades, mushing gained popularity, cumulating in establishing the Iditarod in 1973, which honors the historical significance of sled dogs in Alaskan history. Today, dog mushing is celebrated worldwide, featuring various races and events that showcase the skills of both mushers and their dogs. This timeline is a continuous work in progress, and we will add to it as we find new data.
The Canadian Mounties first imported sled dogs to Northwest Territories, Canada
The United States uses dog teams under the direction of Lt. William Mitchell to help complete the Washington-Alaska Communications and Telegraph System.
The Peary expedition reaches the North Pole using dog teams.
The first All-Alaska Sweepstakes race is held, establishing the first major dog sled race in Alaska.
Roald Amundsen and his team of sled dogs are the first to reach the South Pole, using dog sleds for transportation.
Scotty Allan wins the All Alaska Sweepstakes for the first time, led by Baldy. Allan won the race three times but never beat Ironman Jouhnson’s 1910 record.
Esther Birdsall Darling publishes Baldy of None.
Hudson Stuck publishes Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled.
The first American Dog Derby is held in Ashton, ID
Circa 1917-18 the French Army uses sled dogs for freighting during World War I
Founding of the New England Sled Dog Club
The “Great Race of Mercy” takes place, where dog teams deliver diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, saving countless lives.
Circa 1928-30 Explorers Richard Byrd and Norman Vaughan travel to the South Pole.
Eva “Short” Seeley founds Junior Divison of the New England Sled Dog Club
The first Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York, includes a demonstration event for dog sled racing.
Johnny Allen of the Lower Yukon River, averages 15 mph for 30 miles.
Circa. 1940-45: Sled Dogs used to locate and rescue downed U.S. Bomber crew in the Arctic
The Alaskan Territorial Guard, comprised mainly of dog mushers, is formed during World War II to protect Alaska from potential Japanese invasion.
Circa. 1942-45: Various mushing events are suspended during World War II.
Horace “Holy” Smoke won the Open North American for the third time and is the first winner, capturing the public’s imagination.
Leonhard Seppala and Helge Ingstad bring the first Siberian Husky puppy to Norway.
George Attla wins the Fur Rondy for the first time, vaulting him into the sprint racing limelight. Attal went on to win the Rondy 10 times and the Open North American championship eight times.
Roland “Doc’ Lombard won the Open North American; he was the first non-Alaskan to win the championship and went on to win it another five times and the Fur Rondevous eight times.
The last canine patrol of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Northwest Territories
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race first ran to Nome in 1973.
Rick Swenson won the Iditarod and went on to win it five times, the first musher to do so.
Tim White invents the Quick Change Runner (QCR) system.
The first Finnmarkslopet race is held in Norway.
The sport of dog mushing is introduced in New Zealand.
The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is inaugurated, becoming one of the toughest long-distance races between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the Iditraod.
Susan Butcher became the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and went on to win the race four times.
The first issue of Mushing is published for the first time.
Roxy Wright-Champaine becomes the first woman to win the Open North American championship.
The first intercontinental US-Soviet race: The Alaska-Chukoyka Great Sled Dog Race: Hope ’91
Iron Will is a 1994 American adventure film. It is based on the true story of a 1917 dog-sled race from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Saint Paul, Minnesota, a 522-mile-long stretch and part of the “Red River-St. Paul Sports Carnival Derby.” It is directed by Charles Haid and stars Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, […]
Martin Buser sets a new record for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, completing the race in just under nine days.
Alaskan dog musher Aliy Zirkle is the first woman to win the Yukon Quest.
Canadian dog musher Hans Gatt becomes the first to win the Yukon Quest twice in a row.
Canadian dog musher Hans Gatt wins his third Yukon Quest race in a row.
Jeff King’s Trail Dragger (sit down) sled design arrives when he comes in second in the Iditarod.
The 100th issue of Mushing Magazine is published. Highlights include: A Mushing Retrospective A History of Mushing Upper Yukon River Mushing Fifty Years in Antarctica Jeff King Sits Down on the Job Tents for People and Dogs A History of Innovation Alaska Recreational Dog Mushers “Lucky Patty” Is Your Sled Dog Hypothyroid? Checkpoint: Learning As […]
Lance Mackey becomes the first musher to win both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year, a feat he repeats in 2009.
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto launch the first episode of Mush You Huskies! Podcast on Dog Works Radio reporting on the 2010 Iditarod.
Dallas Seavey becomes the youngest musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race at the age of 25.
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto launched the weekly podcast Mushing Radio on the Dog Works Radio Network.
Mitch Seavey, Dallas Seavey’s father, becomes the oldest musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race at the age of 57
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto became the fourth owners of Mushing Magazine in purchasing the publication under their company, First Paw Media, LLC based in Willow Alaska.
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto purchased the historic Team & Trail publication from the Molburg Family in New Hampshire and plan to continue its legacy.
Dallas Seavey wins his sixth Iditarod.
2024 Seppala Humanitarian Award: Wally Robinson
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto of Willow, Alaska, organized and formed the Team and Trail Foundation, which is recognized as a 501(c)3 organization in the United States.
Dr. Robert and Michele Forto and (First Paw Media, LLC) are granted the trademark of Mushing® through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Alaskan dog musher Emily Robinson is the first to win the Junior Iditarod four times in a row.
Jessie Holmes of Alabama/Alaska wins his first Iditarod.
2025 Leonard Seppala Humanitarian Award Winner: Paige Drobny
The 200th issue of Mushing Magazine is published. Highlights include: 200 issue of Mushing History The Quest for a New Burled Arch Talking Dogs with Jake and Jessica Hway of Chilly Dogs A Musher’s Responsibility Beyond Miles Remembering Johnn Molburg