For many years now, UK mushers have specialized in "pure bred" sled-dogs - Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Greenland Dogs. A few mushers have dabbled with importing and/or training dogs for the "open" class. However, without suitable race venues the sport has not developed as rapidly as it might had not the restriction been in place.

Since the introduction of the Pet Passport Scheme, UK mushers are now willing and able to race abroad and put the United Kingdom firmly on the sled-dog racing map! Several people have already taken advantage of the scheme by racing in Europe with their own dogs and imported new lines into the UK thus avoiding hitherto long and expensive quarantine periods.

This European influence has facilitated some mushers into experimenting with alternative breeds in the UK. Their outlook points firmly towards developing teams comprising Alaskan Huskies, Shorthaired Pointers, Husky Pointer crosses and other combinations of hound type dogs.

These teams have attracted the name "open" presumably because the class is open to any type of dog. However, classing such a team as "open" is technically incorrect. Worldwide "open class" team refers to a team comprising ten or more dogs - usually in the region of sixteen! How many UK venues can cater for teams of this size? Some may suggest that technically "non pure bred" would be better terminology for such a team, but many of the dogs are certainly pure bred - not just huskies! To save confusion UKSC regards "open class" for teams comprising any breed and "registered class" for the "normal" registered Nordic breeds.

Last season UKSC was the first organization to hold an open category - restricted to the 3 - 4 dog class in order to judge the level of future interest. In accordance with UKSC's ethos of continuous progression in UK sled-dog sport - the open category is extended to all the standard classes. However, please don't think that there is no room for the pure breed enthusiast. We dearly love the neurotic husky and feel that there is room for all mushers and all teams.

Please don't pre-judge us. Regardless of your individual preferences - come along and see for yourself.