The Iditarod’s Matthew Matthew Feller is thrilled that his leader, Mach 10, has mastered a new skill, the art of trotting.
“She’s coming into her own at age 5. She’s finally figured out how to slow down and trot. She’s been scurrying all her life,” Failor said.
Iditarod mushers want fast dogs, but 1,000 mph is hard to beat. Failor said it pays off to develop his technique for economical running over the course of long races.
“There are a lot of mushers who want a fast leg because it’s the most efficient gate for a four-legged animal,” said Failor. “They expend the least amount of energy. As you know, even a good pacer expends less energy than a roping dog.”
Mach 10 is running the fourth Iditarod on Failor. She led her Bethel in her Kuskokwim 300 and took Failor to the podium. And Failor has big plans for his star, his leader, who is the linchpin of the team.
“We hope to breed her in the future and have young puppies,” Failor said.
Mach 10 is part of the Dog of the Day series. Every day during Iditarod there will be a new dog that runs a distance of 1,000 miles to the gnome. I’ve met Dusty, Moose, Boomer and Joanna before.
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Ben Matheson covers the 2023 Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race for Alaska Public Media. Please contact him at mathesonben@gmail.com.
