A handler is a support person who works alongside a musher, helping with the many daily tasks involved in running a sled dog kennel. Handlers assist with feeding, watering, cleaning the dog lot, exercising dogs, and preparing equipment. During the racing season, their role expands to include race logistics, checkpoint support, and coordination with veterinary teams.
Many handlers are aspiring mushers themselves, using the position as an apprenticeship to learn the sport from an experienced mentor. Handler positions are common at professional kennels, where the volume of daily work — caring for dozens of dogs — exceeds what a single musher can manage alone. The work is physically demanding and often involves early mornings, late nights, and exposure to harsh weather.
During sled dog racing events, handlers play a critical role at checkpoints. They prepare food and supplies, help swap out equipment, tend to resting dogs, and communicate trail conditions to the musher. Race rules typically specify how handlers may assist and where they are permitted. A skilled handler who knows the dogs well can make a meaningful difference in a musher’s race performance by ensuring every checkpoint stop is efficient and every dog receives proper attention.