Dog team members are given titles according to their position in the team relative to the sled. These include leaders or lead dogs, swing dogs, team dogs, and wheelers or wheel dogs.
Lead dogs steer the rest of the team and set the pace. Leaders may be single or double; the latter is more common now, though single leaders used to be more common during the mid-twentieth century. Sometimes a leader may be unhitched (a loose or free leader) to find the trail for the rest of the team, but the practice is uncommon and is not allowed at races. Qualities for a good lead dog are intelligence, initiative, common sense, and the ability to find a trail in bad conditions.
Swing dogs or point dogs are directly behind the leader (one dog if the team is in single hitch). They swing the rest of the team behind them in turns or curves on the trail. (Some mushers use the term swing dog to denote a team dog.)
Team dogs are those between the wheelers and the swing dogs, and add power to the team. A small team may not have dogs in this position. Alternatively, the term may be used to describe any dog in a dog team.
Wheel dogs are those nearest the sled and musher, and a good wheeler must have a relatively calm temperament so as not to be startled by the sled moving just behind it. Strength, steadiness, and ability to help guide the sled around tight curves are qualities valued in "wheelers."
Ranks
♂ ♀
Mushers
Dusk Marchers -- Dawn Killers
Steve DeRusso-----------OPEN
Trainers
Dusk Marchers -- Dawn Killers
Danny Quinn-------------OPEN
Dusk Marchers
---Lead Dog---Lead Dog---
------Sky--------Audra------
---Swing Dog---Swing Dog---
------Arion---------Lady------
---Team Dog---Team Dog--
------Xavier-----Spirit------
---Wheel Dog---Wheel Dog---
------Harley------Dakota------
Dawn Killers
---Lead Dog---Lead Dog---
------Impala----Adrika------
---Swing Dog---Swing Dog---
------Roman------Penny------
---Team Dog---Team Dog---
------Jace----------Alue------
---Wheel Dog---Wheel Dog---
------Max---------Calypso------
