Family involvement is essential for any of the top sled-dog sports racing teams. The amount of time it takes to maintain and care for the animal athletes is enormous. Dedication from all family members is a must, since cleaning, feeding, health care and training is a full-time job.
Sled dogs are sensitive animals that require hours of handling, training and maintenance to develop their
mental and physical performance. Unlike in motor sports, where vehicles stay tuned while waiting for competition, sled dogs require a daily routine of general and specific maintenance. Although the time spent each day is work, it also allows the handlers and drivers to build a trusting relationship with their animals. This bond that develops from birth is what makes this sport so different from most other racing sports.
Many of the most successful racing teams are a family endeavor and frequently span generations. It's not uncommon to have three generations involved at any given moment.
In an age that focuses on the individual athlete, it is refreshing to see a sport that can successfully involve all members of a family. 

Most sprint mushers have heard similar statements when people first see the sled dog of today. Siberians and Malamutes as serious competitors have taken a back seat to the hybrid racing dogs.
Greyhound, Saluki, Whippet, English Pointers and German Pointers are just some of the breeds you see while scanning the pedigree of today's racing sled dog. These specialized animals have been bred and raised specifically for the sport of sled-dog racing . Many generations of select combinations of dogs have evolved into the super athletes of today.
The true athletes of this sport usually have a hunting hound appearance, with tall frames and bulging muscles

Performance is continuously evolving and is largely dependant on the level of technology involved.
U.S. and European companies are in a race to produce maximum-performance equipment for the world of sled-dog sports. This race has quickly resulted in increased safety and outstanding performance for sled-dog equipment.
The use of high-tech materials, such as carbon fiber, plastic, and aircraft aluminum, along with the integration of designs from bicycle racing and motor sports has quickly increased the overall performance of sled-dog sports equipment.
Nutrition technology has also revolutionized this sport with specialized diets. Universities like Cornell and Alaska State have specialized research programs that are continuously working on better nutrition and training techniques.