WTD (Working Team Dog)

Vehicle may be snow sled or wheeled cart.

Team does not have to be all Malamute.

Dog does not have to run on same team each time.

Certification may be achieved by any one of the following three methods.

Method 1 – Racing or Cross Country

*Dog must qualify in three different races. the races may be any class. the dog may run in any combination of three races. Minimum number of teams competing is three. Races must be run under ISDRA rules or the rules must have been approved by the Committee. Each heat may count as a race as long as it fulfills the above requirements.

*The team must complete the race in an acceptable speed as determined by the committee. Under normal conditions this will be 9 MPH for the sprint class and 7 MPH for freight and cross country races. Under conditions of extreme weather or terrain, the Committee may accept a slower average time.

*OR the team must complete the race in the top 30% of the competition.

*Required distances will be determined by the class in which the dog is running. Required distances will be 1 mile for each dog on the team with a minimum of 3 miles required. the freight class shall be a minimum of 5 miles with a minimum of 50 pounds per dog added to the weight of the sled.

Method 2 – Racing

Dog must accumulate a minimum of 25 race miles. The dog must have completed the course in all races considered. Races must be a minimum of 5 miles if a freight race. Distances of Method 1 apply.

The dog must complete all races in an acceptable amount of time as determined by the Committee.

All events must be certified by a race official or an impartial witness.

Method 3 – Excursion

Dog must accumulate a minimum of 40 sledding excursion miles. Dog or dogs must pull sled a minimum of 10 miles per excursion. An impartial witness must sign for form to be sent to the Committee verifying proof of distances and dog or dogs competing.

Method 4 – Combination racing and Excursion

One or two 10 mile or longer races may count towards the total of 40 excursion miles.

Addenda

Each heat shall be counted as a race for the following reasons.

Heats are occasionally run to establish the top teams in each heat. The top teams or team then running in a final heat.

Occasionally the first heat is completed, but musher, dogs or equipment may be too damaged to compete in the next heat or heats.

A change in weather or other conditions may cause heats to be canceled.

When certifying by accumulating 25 race miles, completing one race of 25 miles or more is qualifying.

WTDA (Working Team Dog Advanced)

1. Race rules shall be ISDRA, other nationally recognized rules, or rules previously approved by the WDA committee.
2. Dogs may run on any size team and need not run on the same team for each event. Sledding may be Alaskan style or Nordic style (single file team pulling a pulk). Vehicle may be snow sled or 3- or 4-wheeled vehicle, e.g., a traditional training rig, ATVs without motor assistance, but not to include pedal-assisted vehicles
3. Total mileage for all applicants shall be 110 miles.
   1. Method 1 — Races must be a minimum of 25 continuous miles. Races need not be completed so long as the minimum 25 miles per race are met. Alternatively, races may consist of two or more heats of at least 15 miles each where the applicant has completed at least two consecutive heats.
   2. Method 2 — Backcountry excursion trips shall be a minimum of 25 miles per day. The team must travel as a self-sufficient unit, hauling supplies necessary for the trip. Examples of suitable places are national forests, parks, or other areas where trail and roads are not maintained for winter use by vehicles, excepting snowmobiles. If the trip takes place in a wilderness type area, where there are no defined trails and dogs may be expected to break trail, the trip must be a minimum of 15 miles.
   3. Method 3 — Backcountry camping excursion shall be a minimum of 15 miles per day, with a total minimum of 30 miles per trip. The team must travel as a self-sufficient unit, hauling supplies necessary for the trip. Examples of suitable places are national forests, parks, or other areas where trail and roads are not maintained for winter use by vehicles, excepting snowmobiles.
   4. Method 4 — A combination of Methods 1, 2 and 3

WTDX (Working Team Dog Excellent)

1. Race rules shall be ISDRA, other nationally recognized rules, or rules previously approved by the WDX committee.
2. Dogs may run on any size team and need not run on the same team for each event. Sledding may be Alaskan style or Nordic style (single file team pulling a pulk). Vehicle may be snow sled or 3- or 4-wheeled vehicle, e.g., a traditional training rig, ATVs without motor assistance, but not to include pedal-assisted vehicles.
3. Total mileage for all applicants shall be 180 miles.
   1. Races must be a minimum of 60 continuous miles. Races need not be completed so long as the minimum 60 miles per race are met.
   2. Alternatively, races may consist of two or more heats of at least 40 miles each where the applicant has completed at least two consecutive heats.
   3. Backcountry excursion trips shall be a minimum of 60 miles. They shall take place in remote areas inaccessible at that time of year to motor vehicles excepting snowmobiles. The team must travel as a self-sufficient unit hauling supplies necessary for the trip. Examples of suitable places are national Forests, parks or other areas where trail and roads are not maintained for winter use by vehicles excepting snowmobiles. If the trip takes place in a Wilderness type area where there are no defined trails and dogs may be expected to break trail, the trip must be a minimum of 40 miles.