At Pointe de Sel, you know, we love activities that combine family sharing and harmony with nature. And imagine that we had the joy of testing this summer the cani rando, towed by “Wok”, our mischievous canine companion of the day aged 2 years old. Between the sporting aspect, the discovery of the mountain and the complicity with the animal, this activity is not lacking in dogs!
We invite you to meet Mathias Bernal, musher and manager of “Hors Trace Aventure” in La Plagne. Mathias and his wife Madeleine give us the secrets of their very special profession and this discipline not to be missed.
Here we are at the kennel in La Plagne Montalbert. Mathias, can you tell us how life is organized here?
The kennel is made up of a hundred dogs, 65 of which are active. Among the remaining 35, there are babies and dogs who are still too small to work on the one hand, and "grandpas - grannies" too old to be called upon for our activities on the other hand, although we sometimes takes some of them to the activities because even if they are a little tired, you can tell that they enjoy it!
The dogs are of Greenlandic breed, they are Nordic dogs, powerful – they weigh between 35 and 45 kg – and rustic. Some are crossed with hunting dogs.
In winter, the dogs are hitched for sleds or initiations to driving a hitch. Dog sled rides are contemplative and very popular with families with children. The dogs appreciate the fairly sporty course on the Dou du Praz plateau in La Plagne.
Just like us, dogs need a rest when the end of the season comes in the spring.
In summer, it's time for cani-rando and cani-kart, and in the fall, we have to train them so that they are in good shape to start winter again in good physical condition.
Can you explain to us how you train your dogs in all these disciplines you tell us about?
To start working an animal, you have to wait until it is physically “finished”, that is to say that it has completely finished gaining weight and growing, generally around 12 or 14 months. They always start with the hitch, which disciplines and channels them, before making them do solo activities like cani rando.
For these dogs, towing is a pleasure, it is their predatory instinct that guides them.
The cani rando, what is it more precisely?
It is an active walk with a dog to which one is connected via a cushioned lanyard which connects a belt to the dog's harness (the same as those used in winter to pull the sled). On the way up, the dog helps us to climb the drop. On the descent, on the contrary, it must be held back by sheathing and having solid support.
The cani rando is a discipline very family and sports, with as a bonus the discovery of the mountain environment in which we find ourselves and the complicity with the animal. It can be practiced from the age of 5, if the child is willing to walk. At this time, the child is connected to the dog with an adult person of course. The child's lanyard is longer than the adult's so shocks are absorbed by the adult.
The cani rando has been around for about twenty years, since sled dogs have existed. This allows the dogs to work when there is no snow and to be able to offer an activity with them throughout the year.
The families of our clients Pointe de sel tested and loved it!
Want to know more or test the cani rando?
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An all-inclusive stay in a luxury chalet in Savoie is an excellent choice for those looking to live a dream vacation experience, combining the discovery of activities such as cani hiking, with exceptional facilities, an ideal location and the flexibility of a tailor-made service.
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