首页
外语
计算机
考研
公务员
职业资格
财经
工程
司法
医学
专升本
自考
实用职业技能
登录
外语
How Sled Dogs Work They’re physical wonders--able to endure extreme conditions for extensive periods of time while running fa
How Sled Dogs Work They’re physical wonders--able to endure extreme conditions for extensive periods of time while running fa
admin
2010-01-10
56
问题
How Sled Dogs Work
They’re physical wonders--able to endure extreme conditions for extensive periods of time while running fast and pulling more than their own weight. Sled (雪橇) dogs have been around for generations, and today they remain a large part of a dog driver’s life.
In Arctic (北极的) regions, some 35 000 years ago, Eskimos’ dogs bred with wolves and other dogs. Their offspring were well-adapted to the cold and snow. There’s no saying exactly when someone thought to have dogs pull sleds ,but it was well before 1000 B. C. that dog sleds provided a means of transportation and a way to haul goods. In recent years, people looking for unique outings have gone on recreational trips with sled dogs. A number of companies market tourist treks via dog sled for adventure travelers.
Dogsled racing in Alaska formally began in 1908, when sled dog owners in Nome, Alaska, held the first All-Alaska Sweepstakes, a 408-mile race from Nome to Candle and back. And in 1973, the inaugural Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race took place on a route covering more than 1 000 miles in Alaska. There are more competitions in many of the continental United States, and some take place on dry land. In addition to endurance races, sled-dog events include sprint races, weight pulls (in which dogs try to pull the most weight) and freight races ( in which dogs try to pull a weighted sled the fastest).
Stamina (耐力) and Strength
Many breeds of dogs are used to pull sleds, including official American Kennel Club breeds such as the Siberian husky, Malamute and Samoyed. However, many sled dogs are of mixed breed and are called Alaska husky or Eskimo dogs. While some sled dogs may have wolf bloodlines, it’s generally not desirable to have a mixture of blood between the two.
Sled dogs are bred for their speed and endurance as well as leadership qualities. They are big dogs with thick coats and wide, fiat feet. They sleep with their tails covering their noses to keep warm. Dogs that weigh around 40 to 45 pounds are the ideal size to pull sleds, but some may weigh as much as 85 pounds.
Young dogs that are enthusiastic runners, easy-going and mentally tough are good choices for sled dogs. A dog’s gender matters little and both male and female dogs are considered equally.
For racing, the most intelligent and fastest dogs are picked to be lead dogs and run in the front of the pack. Behind them run swing dogs, whose job is to direct the team around turns and curves. At the back of the dog team are the wheel dogs or wheelers, who are right in front of the sled and are usually the largest and strongest of the team. The rest of the dogs are known simply as team dogs.
Dogs are typically from 2 to 10 years old when they pull sleds. After they retire, they might remain with their owner at a kennel or be adopted as pets by others. Rescue groups for sled dogs take in unwanted dogs and care for them, trying to place them in loving homes.
While snowmobiles (also called snow machines), helicopters and airplanes are now often used in place of sled dogs, there are still times when dog transportation is preferred. Harsh weather conditions can make flying hazardous, and certain terrain can be more difficult for snow machines to cross than for dogs. Dogs can be more reliable than man-made machines, they’re good companions to have on long treks and they can be cheaper to own than other forms of transportation.
Becoming a Sled Dog
The number of sled dogs at a typical kennel(养狗场) is around 75, though some might house as few as 20 or as many as 150. Many kennel owners are greedy mushers (赶狗拉雪) and compete in dog sled races. They also train other mushers and sell and lease dogs.
The training for each team of racing dogs varies by musher ( or whomever is preparing the dogs to race). Conditioning the dogs to nm long distances is vital, and teams may cover 2 000 to 3 000 miles in the course of training leading up to an endurance race. Since training may take place year-round, the dogs sometimes nm on dry land, and sometimes pull all-terrain vehicles.
Dog owners start training their dogs to pull sleds at a very young age. When they are a couple of months old, they may be fitted with a harness and collar, just so they get used to wearing them. As they get older, a small object may be attached to the harness to practice pulling weight. Mushers also start teaching the dogs verbal commands. When dogs are ready to train alongside a team, at around 6 to 8 months old, they start by pulling light loads for short distances. Over time, they build up their strength and stamina and are able to go farther and pull more.
Sled dogs that are well cared for and loved by their owners are quite friendly and gentle. While they may fight with other dogs, it is rare that a sled dog would be aggressive toward people. Mushers have been quoted as saying that they take better care of their dogs than themselves, and that the dogs eat better than they do. Relationships between dog and musher vary, but most mushers consider their dogs family. Mushers generally follow the reasoning that a dog that’s not properly cared for will not perform, so it wouldn’t make sense to mistreat dogs.
For races such as the Iditarod, veterinarians are on hand to examine dogs, and race rules require proof of certain vaccines and check-ups. Dogs are implanted with microchips to help keep track of them. The International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association is a group of veterinarians who are dedicated to the welfare of sled dogs.
Getting Ready for the Race
Racing sled dogs need to eat around 10 000 calories per day. During the Iditarod race, that translates to about 2 000 pounds of food for one team for the entire race. Meat is the main ingredient, but they also consume other fats, oils, dry dog foods and vitamin supplements. Dogs eat at each of the more than two dozen checkpoints on the Iditarod route, but they also get snacks every few hours. Gear for dogs includes fabric booties to protect their feet from the elements, and a sled team may go through 2 000 booties during a race.
The number of dogs pulling the sled varies by race and by musher. In the Iditarod, there are a maximum of 16 dogs on a team. At the race’s start, there must be between 12 and 16 dogs per entrant. At the race’s end, at least six dogs must be part of the team that crosses the finish line.
The dogs are attached to the sled with a series of lines called rigging. This includes the tow line (or gang line), tug lines and neck lines. Each dog wears a collar and a harness. The tow line connects the dogs to the sled, and a tug line rigs the dogs’ harnesses to the tow line. The dogs’ collars are attached to the tow line by the neck line. There are no reins, and dogs respond to the musher’s vocal commands.
A musher says "hike," "let’s go," or "all right," to get his or her team going; "easy" to slow down; "gee" to turn right; "haw" to turn left; "come gee" or "come haw" to turn 180 degrees right or left; "straight on" to go straight ahead; and "whoa" to stop.
During the Iditarod, teams typically travel in the 5 to 12 miles per hour range and might nm for six or eight hours straight. When dogs fail to work together as a team, or a musher can’t properly direct his or her team, the lines can become tangled and cause problems.
选项
A、Because they are raised by wolves.
B、Because they can stand most severe weather.
C、Because they are fastest runner among Arctic animals.
D、Because they can bear goods like horses do.
答案
B
解析
由题干中physical wonders可定位到第一段首句They’re physical wonders—able to endure extreme conditions for extensive periods of time while running fast and pulling more than their own weight.根据原句中该短语后的破折号用法可知,后面的内容是对physical wonders的解释。破折号后主要部分able to endure extreme conditions,与B)意思一致,故选B)。
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/6LdK777K
0
大学英语六级
相关试题推荐
A、Atareceptiondesk.B、Inarestaurant.C、Atahotelroom.D、Atarailroadstation.C题目问的是对话可能发生的地点。题目中男士和女士准备checkout(结账离开),
July7th,2014DearProf.Lee,TheAcademicConferenceontraditionalChinesetreatmentacupunctureandmoxibustion,whic
说明:假设你是学生会主席Johnson,请按以下提示写一则通知。时间:12月17日内容:1.为庆祝元旦,拟于12月31日举办元旦晚会;2.每个系选送3个节目;3.25日在学校餐厅附近的报告厅彩排;4.活动的意义。注意信函格式!Wordsf
【说明】根据下列要求完成一封咨询信。【内容】1.你是一位家庭主妇辛迪,想要购买圣诞节的装饰和礼物。2.被一家店的广告吸引,想向店主咨询装饰礼物的具体情况。3.购买的时间约为两周后,询问是否需要提前订购。4.如果能够提供,请回复。【Wordsf
A、Inaschool.B、Inahospital.C、Inacompany.D、Inapark.C题目问的是对话可能发生的地点。文章最后女士询问男士在哪家公司上班,男士说“这一家。我是这里的新经理“,可知他们就在男士的公司里谈话。
WhowillreplaceJaneJohnsontocontacttheircustomers?___________________.
TermsandConditionsofEmploymentThesetermsandconditionsshouldbereadbeforeyousignyourcontract.Salary:Yo
A、50minutes.B、30minutes.C、25minutes.D、15minutes.AM:It’salreadyeightthirty.We’llhavetohurryifwewanttocatchth
A、Abusinessmaninastore.B、Awanderinthestreet.C、Amateurdetective.D、Amanwithplainclothes.DWhatdoesthemandoact
A、TheconstructionoftheAmericanspacestation.B、Budgetproblems.C、Delays.D、Technicaldifficulties.AWhatdoesthemannot
随机试题
某商业企业为增值税一般纳税人,该企业以不收取手续费方式代销商品,采用售价金额核算。则该企业月末结转已售代销商品成本时,应借记主营业务成本科目,贷记()科目。(2010年)
阅读下面一段文字,回答问题:谁知这个话传到宝玉黛玉二人耳内,他二人竞从来没有听见过“不是冤家不聚头”的这句俗话儿,如今忽然得了这句话,好似参禅的一般,都低着头细嚼这句话的滋味儿,不觉的潸然泪下。虽然不曾会面,却一个在潇湘馆临风洒泪,一个在怡红院对
下述那种传染性疾病易继发急性肾小球肾炎()
采用剩余碘量法测定复方对乙酰氨基酚片中咖啡含量时,1mol碘相当于咖啡因的摩尔数是
新生儿生理性黄疸出现的时间是()。
人教版高中语文必修(4)第三单元的作品为《拿来主义》《父母与孩子之间的爱》《短文三篇》,教授这一单元时,下列选项中所列举的教学行为不恰当的一项是()。
李某,1985年1月8日出生;孙某,1973年8月出生,后因盗窃罪被判有期徒刑2年,1995年刑满释放。李某从朋友处借了一把猎枪,1999年1月8号晚10时许,两人共同持枪出去打狗,但没有打到,于是两人窜到村民张某家偷鸡,孙某进屋盗窃,李某持猎枪在门外望风
未成年养子女与养父母解除收养关系的,其与生父母之间的权利义务关系()。(2012一专一40)
Intelligencetestscoresfollowanapproximatelynormaldistribution,meaningthatmostpeoplescorenearthemiddleofthedist
A、Theirgeneticmakeupbegantochange.B、Theircommunitiesbegantogrowsteadily.C、Theirchildrenbegantomixwitheachothe
最新回复
(
0
)