“I’m actually more comfortable around dogs than I am with people.”

~Author and musher Rob Downey

Until the Last Dog with Rob Downey

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto speaks with Rob Downey, a seasoned musher and founder of Annamaet Pet Food. They discuss Rob’s journey with sled dogs, the evolution of his pet food company, and the nutritional needs of sled dogs compared to pet dogs. Rob also shares insights from his new memoir, ‘Until the Last Dog,’ which chronicles his life with sled dogs and the adventures he experienced along the way. The conversation touches on the current state of mushing, advice for aspiring mushers, and memorable stories from Rob’s experiences in the sport.

Takeaways

Rob Downey has been involved with sled dogs since 1978.
Annamaet Pet Food was founded in 1986 and is backed by science.
Nutritional needs differ significantly between sled dogs and pet dogs.
Rob’s memoir, ‘Until the Last Dog,’ reflects his lifelong journey with sled dogs.
The book includes humorous and serious stories from Rob’s life.
Traveling to the Czech Republic and Sweden has been a highlight for Rob.
The mushing community is seeing growth in smaller kennels and dry land racing.
Aspiring mushers should move slowly and not accumulate too many dogs too quickly.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in a dog’s performance.
Rob’s lead dog, Salt, had a memorable last race in a baseball stadium.