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There is the largest dog sled race in the world in Alaska (picture alliance / dpa / Winfried Rothermel)
The race lasts approximately 10 days. The route is 1,600 kilometers long. This year there are 39 sleighs taking part. Several dogs pull a sleigh. There is a person standing at the back of the sleigh. Sled dogs include huskies and malamutes. They were bred specifically for pulling sleighs.
The route goes through the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. There are often snow storms. And it is very cold.
Dog racing has been around for more than 50 years. Animal rights activists don’t like that. They say: Racing is animal cruelty. Sometimes dogs die or get injured while pulling the sled.