National Sled Dog Day is a holiday that’s observed annually on February 2nd. This day celebrates the hardworking dogs trained to pull heavy loads of cargo in some of the coldest weather conditions on the planet.

For thousands of years, sled dogs were the only means of transportation for humans in the Arctic and other treacherous regions. Without their contributions, humans would not have been able to survive in these areas. That’s why it’s important for the people who still depend on these animals to take the time to show them just a little bit of appreciation.

The History Of National Sled Dog Day

Unfortunately, we don’t know who invented National Sled Dog Day or when it was first observed. What we do know is that people have been using dogs to pull sleds for over 3,000 years. These dogs were important for transporting people and supplies from one region to another. They were extremely important pack animals and continue to be so to this day.

Facts About Dog Sledding

Below are a number of facts about sled dogs that we find interesting and have gathered to share.

• Sled dogs can respond to voice commands.
• Sled dogs were used for mail delivery across Alaska.
• Sled dogs are used by the U.S. Army for search and rescue missions in remote areas of Alaska.
• Sled dogs can consume as much as 10,000 calories a day!

Observing National Sled Dog Day

A number of different sled dog races occur on and around this day, including the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. People might want to take some time out of their day to enjoy these races if they can. This is also a good day to donate to various dog charities and to share news about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalSledDogDay on social media.