Dogs and humans competed together in the latest edition of Dryland Mushing in Los Angeles, Biobío Region

CMPC supported the race and made available the Higuerillas farm in Los Angeles of the Biobío Region to host this competition.

Mushing is a discipline that arose 30 years ago in Norway and consists of a sled race pulled by dogs in snow. Dryland Mushing is essentially the same modality, but done in places where there isn’t any crystallized ice. In Chile, there are several organizations that engage in this sport nationwide. Thus, the Higuerillas farm of CMPC hosted an important competition at the national level. 

German Scholz, director of the Federation of Chilean Canine Sports and event organizer said that this is the first of many races they hope to put on in the city of Los Angeles, Biobío Region. “We thank CMPC for providing us with the space and all the sponsors who have collaborated with us to successfully carry out this event. A lot of people have participated, even more than in other races that have been held throughout Chile with a lot of support coming from the public. Now we will focus on the World Cup in Spain, which will take place in November. We hope to hold a similar competition here in Los Angeles next year.” 

30 competitors, 20 participants and more than 200 spectators brought this activity to life, complete with plenty of fur and barking in which dogs and humans competed alongside one another in categories such as scooter (a mountain scooter driven by the human and the dog at the same time), rig (the closest thing to a sled, where the person rides a tricycle powered by their dogs), bikejoring (the dog runs and powers a bicycle ridden by a human) and canicross (the human runs along while tied to a dog). The most important thing is the development and strengthening of the bond between animal and guardian, which is achieved immediately in this type of sport. 

In order to promote outdoor activities, CMPC makes its land and estates available for practicing athletics and recreational activities in addition to its Living Forest project that consists of sharing its premises for sports and includes the Pumalal de Temuco, Junquillar de Angol and Lastarria de Loncoche parks. These spaces come equipped with signs for trekking and mountain biking where participants can appreciate the interaction of productive and native forests. 

Christian Santibáñez, CMPC Head of Community Relations in Los Angeles, said that opening up the company’s forests and spaces was encompassed in a comprehensive policy to improve people’s quality of life. “For CMPC it is essential to experience the natural world, which is part of the Bosque Vivo strategy, where we open our lands so that the community can engage in various recreational activities. In this sense, we have provided the space, improved access, and carried out the logistical work so that this initiative could be properly launched with families enjoying an atmosphere of healthy coexistence.” 

The event attendees and participants enjoyed the day and spent quality time with their pets thanks to this initiative. Nicole González participated in the “canicross” category and detailed the importance of creating these entertainment spaces. “I congratulate the organizers because a lot of work goes into these activities. I also want to thank the company for making these spaces available for sports and for recreation that welcomes their pets to join in.” 

Catalina Erices, who in addition to running with her mascot in the “scooter” category, was also part of the event’s organizing team said, “I am excited because it was the first race that we put on. Also, it’s the first time I’ve done the “scooter” competition and my dog loved it. I’m very happy about that. It’s wonderful that the forestry company has supported us from the get-go. We’re very grateful because, if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have had this wonderful space to get together.” 

Animal welfare

This type of initiative must take the animals’ health into consideration. Soil temperature, wind and other externalities could affect the animals, but this does not happen with dryland mushing because strict safety measures are employed for both humans and dogs. That is why veterinarian Jorge Toro of the Catholic University of Temuco was present at the Dryland Mushing event in Los Angeles to inspect how the event was held and the state of the animals, as well as to give some advice on animal care in this time of rising temperatures. 

“Animal welfare refers to making sure that natural behavior of the animals can be supported without any exogenous factor that produces any stress for them. In the case of mushing, the dogs are very happy and cheerful at the end of it and even before the race kicks off, since they arrive with a lot of energy. Running with their guardians is an experience for the dogs that enhances the deep bond between human and animal, so such a competition must always follow the utmost safety measures.”  

For this to be done right and bearing in mind increasing temperatures, the veterinarian shared some tips for proper animal care. “Special protection is recommended for light-colored dogs including putting sunscreen on the snout and keeping the nose moisturized. To protect their paws when it’s very hot outside, don’t take them out for a walk on asphalt since it substantially intensifies hot temperatures. It’s better to take them out for walks in the morning or evening, or put shoes on them to protect their paws.”