sled dog

noun

: a dog (such as a Siberian husky or Alaskan malamute) trained to draw a usually heavy sled typically with other dogs over snow-covered terrain

—Sled dogs were originally used in colder regions (as of northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica) as work dogs to facilitate travel and transport of supplies but are now popularly used elsewhere during the winter especially for racing.

Examples of sled dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Soon after the vibrations began, a cruise ship sailing near fjords in Greenland noticed that on the remote Ella Island, a key landmark — a base used for scientific research and by the Danish military for sled dog patrols — had been destroyed. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2024

There are some out-of-the-ordinary activities available as well, like the outdoor onsen retreat and sled dog tours. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 22 July 2024

The ancestors of today’s Arctic sled dogs came over from Siberia with Inuit people just 2,000 years ago. —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024

But many in Alaska have pushed back against these calls, noting that the state has a long and rich history of sled dog culture. —Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sled dog

noun

: a dog trained to draw a usually large sled especially in the Arctic regions