For some folks, as the weather takes a turn for the chilly, they curl up in a ball on the couch with a roaring fire and a hot cup of cocoa, but for sled dog teams it's go time!

In many areas of the world, cooler temperatures mean the strong possibility that snow is right around the corner, a time of year when you want to stay inside and hibernate until the bluebird of spring comes calling. But for sled dogs and those who work with them, their busy season (and the fun!) is just beginning.

Mush!

The image of dogs sledding on the snow conjures up picturesque scenes with tall, flocked evergreen trees and glistening open fields, but make no mistake: these powerful dogs are hard at work, and they love what they do!

After all, these pups are following their instincts to run long distances and pull heavy loads. They start their training as puppies, and by the time they're youngsters, they run with the big dogs to develop their social skills and learn commands from their musher, says PetMD.

And just what is a musher and what does he or she do? The word "mush" is derived from the French word marche, meaning "march." The musher, then, is the person who controls the dog sled team. Sometimes, mushers run alongside their dogs at certain points during a race, although there must be another musher on hand to command the sled.

According to National Geographic, the most popular sled dog breed is not the Siberian husky or Alaskan malamute, two common breeds associated with sledding. The most popular sled dog breed is the Alaskan husky, a "mutt" breed especially known for its strength and stamina. Typically, sled dogs weigh between thirty-five to sixty pounds, and they can pull twice their body weight or more.

What Makes a Great Sled Dog?

Mushers choose sled dogs based on their stature as well as their weight, fur, and ability to work well with others, among other criteria. Dogs on sled teams are superb athletes, lean, and muscular with healthy eating habits. There is no limit to how many dogs can pull a sled, so depending on his or her task, a musher may have anywhere from two to three dogs for a smaller job, such as transporting supplies, up to twelve or sixteen pups.

For protection in cold climates, a sled dog relies on his thick undercoat for warmth and wears booties to protect his sensitive paws. Prior to running races (such as the famous long-distance Iditarod, which takes place in Alaska every year, or the Yukon Quest) and performing non-racing duties, each dog undergoes a thorough medical examination to ensure he can safely work.