Page 48 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3

Sport

Karin and her pack have personal experience with Bkejoring

I have been doing individual mushing for 4 years now. I compete in canicross (running with a dog)
and bickering too, and only for training do we do skijor in winter (cross–country skis with a dog).

What I enjoy the most in individual mushing disciplines is a combination of human and dog
performances. If one of the teams is weaker, you can never achieve good and long-term results.

Our main discipline is canicross and its types like dogbiatlon, triathlon or OCR races with the
dogs. I compete in canicross with all my dogs. But I chose between them according to the specific
race. To sprint and OCR races (3- 6km), where it is necessary to gallop through the race, I pick
Perla or Chuck (CIB-junior Natural Pearl a Ch. Caius Bonus from Sunny Hillside). On the other
hand, for long races I pick Speedy (CIB No Speed Limit od Halířů), who is able to trot through the
whole race.

Second discipline, which is more difficult both for physical preparation and obedience of the dog
is bikejoring. For training, I do it with everyone, but for competing mainly with Chuck and this
year also with Perla. Bikejoring is a discipline where I need to have 100% trust in my dog; he
can`t go outside of the racetrack, he has to know side commands, and he has to avoid contact
with another dog during the race.

When people ask me about the results, which I value the most, I smile because, for me, the win
is to finish the race safe and healthy. Yes, from time to time, we win some races, but I take it only
as a reward for hard work and training. My biggest dream is to compete phase race Trophée des
Montagnes.

Some of our accomplishments: Working dog of the year in canicross for 2022 1st and 2nd place.

Champion of the breed: Australian Shepherd - Chuck bikejoring 2021/2022: 2nd 3rd place,
Perla bikejoring 2023 3rd place.

As a canicross coach and active competitor I see how people more and more choose Australian
shepherds for this sport. But sadly, many owners don’t care/or don’t know about the right and
fitting equipment. And in many cases also forgets that even in mushing you need your dog to be
well behaved and trained.

48 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024