Sled Dog Race Classes Explained
You know how it is, you want to enter a running race with your dog but which class do you choose? Entering DR6 because you want to do "Dog Running 6 Miles" could end you in a whole lot of trouble!
We have put together a list of the race classes run by most organisations/clubs so you don't end up chasing a 6 dog husky team with your Jack Russell attached to you by a belt.
RACE CLASSES FOR CLUBS WHO FOLLOW IFSS RULES
Class Code |
Definition |
Competitor Age |
Year of Birth |
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DR8 |
Dryland Rig 8 Dog |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DR6 |
Dryland Rig 6 Dog |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DR3/4 |
Dryland Rig 3 or 4 Dog |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DS4J |
Dryland Rig 4 Dog Junior |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
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DBM |
Dryland Bikejor elite Men |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DBW |
Dryland Bikejor elite Women |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DBMV |
Dryland Bikejor Men Veteran |
40 - 99 |
1979 or before |
DBWV |
Dryland Bikejor Women Veteran |
40 - 99 |
1979 or before |
DBMJ |
Dryland Bikejor Men Junior |
16 – 18 |
2003 - 2001 |
DBWJ |
Dryland Bikejor Women Junior |
16 – 18 |
2003 - 2001 |
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DS2 or DS/R2 |
Dryland Scooter 2 Dog (can also be run on a rig) |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DS1M |
Dryland Scooter 1 Dog Men |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DS1W |
Dryland Scooter 1 Dog Women |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DS1J |
Dryland Scooter 1 Dog Junior (can also be run on a rig) |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
DS1Y |
Dryland Scooter 1 Dog Youth |
11 – 13 |
2008 - 2006 |
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DCM |
Dryland Canicross elite Men |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DCW |
Dryland Canicross elite Women |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DCMV |
Dryland Canicross Men Veteran |
40 - 99 |
1979 or after |
DCWV |
Dryland Canicross Women Veteran |
40 - 99 |
1979 or after |
DCMJ |
Dryland Canicross Men Junior |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
DCWJ |
Dryland Canicross Women Junior |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
DCMY |
Dryland Canicross Men Youth |
11 – 13 |
2008 - 2006 |
DCWY |
Dryland Canicross Women Youth |
11 – 13 |
2008 - 2006 |
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DR** |
Dryland Relay |
14 – 99 |
2005 or before |
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New classes added this year for IFSS Dryland Combined – this consists of one heat with Canicross and one heat with Scooter 1 Dog, run by the same team. |
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DCbM |
Dryland Combined Men |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DCbW |
Dryland Combined Women |
19 - 99 |
2000 or before |
DCbMJ |
Dryland Combined Men Junior |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
DCbWJ |
Dryland Combined Women Junior |
14 - 18 |
2005 - 2001 |
A bit more info:
Elite – This refers to a person in their prime i.e. not a junior or veteran.
F – Freight Breeds
RNB – Registered Nordic Breeds: Dogs of the acknowledged sled dog breeds (Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Greenland Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog) that hold a document/pedigree that was issued by one of the following breeding associations: FCI (Federation Cynologique International); CKC (Canadian Kennel Club); AKC (American Kennel Club) or KC (British Kennel Club)
Year of Birth – The IFSS is international so we start the season in the Northern hemisphere and it ends in the Southern hemisphere. So it starts in our winter in 2018 and ends in our summer in 2019. So the year of birth is for the age you will be on 31st December 2019.
Youths – Some clubs specify that youth classes must be accompanied by an adult.
SHCGB RALLY CLASSIFICATIONS
Class Code |
Definition |
A |
No more than 8 dogs, no less than 5 |
B |
No more than 6 dogs, no less than 4 |
C |
No more than 4 dogs, no less than 3 |
D |
2 dogs only |
E |
No more than 3 dogs, no less than 2 |
U |
Unlimited, no less than 5 dogs |
J1 |
1 dog (dog 1 year+ / driver 8-11) |
J2 |
1-2 dogs (dog 1 year+ / driver 12-15) |
.2 |
Mixed Sled Dog Breeds – where Siberian only classes are schedule |
Cani-Cross |
One dog and a competitor, racing on foot |
Bike-Joring |
One dog and a driver pedalling on a bicycle |
Scooter |
One dog and a driver riding a two-wheeled scooter |
Veteran |
2-4 dogs of any eligible breed, the average age of all dogs in the team to be over 7 years on the day of the first stage |
Only Kennel Club registered, pure bred sled dogs, i.e. Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Canadian Eskimo Dogs, Greenland Dogs and Samoyeds, and dogs of these breed holding an appropriate affiliated breed club Welfare numbers (and thereby confirming prior KC registration) are eligible to compete.
All dogs must be over the age of one year on the first day of the event, save novelty classes where specified, when an age limit of 9 months may be set.
AMWA RACE CLASSES
Class Code |
Definition |
M1 |
1 Dog Alaskan Malamute |
M2 |
2 Dog Alaskan Malamute |
MS |
3 + Alaskan Malamute only 4-8 Dog Alaskan Malamute only (6 – 8 Dog Passenger Rig) |
ASFDC |
Mix sled dog teams (Any sled/freight dog combination) 2-4 Dog, Must consist of at least 1 freighting breed. 4-8 Dog, Must consist of a least 1 freighting breed (6 – 8 Dog Passenger Rig) |
ES |
2 Dog Siberian Husky |
DS |
2-3 Dog Siberian Husky |
CS |
3-4 Dog Siberian Husky |
BS |
4-6 Dog Siberian Husky 4-8 Dog Siberian Husky (6 – 8 dog Passenger Rig) |
S1 |
Scooter (1 dog only) |
BJ |
Bikejor (1 dog only) |
CX |
Cani-cross (1 dog only) |
J1 |
Junior 12 – 18 years (1 dog only) |
J2 |
Junior 8 – 11 years (1 dog only) |
DV |
Veteran (2/4 Dog with an average age of 7 – Any Sled dog combination) |
Please remember that other clubs do have different classes and should you have any doubts concerning the class you wish to enter or can enter, contact the event organiser.
AMCUK / FREIGHTING DOG CLUB UK
Class Code |
Definition |
M1 |
One dog, scooter or rig (Alaskan Malamute) |
MB2 |
Two dogs only (any combination: Greenland, Canadian Eskimo, Samoyed, Siberian, Malamute) |
M2 |
Two dogs only (Alaskan Malamute) |
MB4 |
No more than four dogs, no less than three (any combination: Greenland, Canadian Eskimo, Samoyed, Siberian, Malamute) |
M4 |
No more than four dogs, no less than three (Alaskan Malamute) |
J1 |
Junior 8-11 years, one dog only (must be supervised by an adult at all times whilst on the trail. This can be done via a bicycle, running alongside, etc) |
J2 |
Junior 13-15 years, one or two dogs |
S2 |
Two dogs only (Siberian Husky) |
S4 |
No more than four dogs, no less than three (Siberian Husky) |
S6 |
No more than six dogs, no less than four (Siberian Husky) |
BJ1 |
Bikejoring, one dog (open class) |
R |
Recreational class, non-timed. Open to all purebred KC-recognised sled dog breeds. Maximum team size 6 dogs |
O2 |
Two dogs only (open class) |
O4 |
No more than four dogs, no less than three (open class) |