Editing Mushing (section)

==Practice==
 
Mushing can be utilitarian, recreational, or competitive. Mushing as a sport is practiced worldwide, but primarily in North America, northern Europe and the [[Alps]]. Racing associations such as the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) and the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) are working toward organizing the sport and in gaining [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] recognition for mushing. It is the state sport of Alaska. 
The most famous [[List of sled dog races|sled dog races]] in the world are: 
[[File:Brent Sass departing Rainy Pass checkpoint during Iditarod 2020 (Quintin Soloviev).jpg|thumb|left|[[Brent Sass]] departing Rainy Pass checkpoint during the Iditarod 2020|240x240px]]
*[[Finnmarksløpet]] in Norway
*[[Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race]] in Alaska
*[[La Grande Odyssée]] in France and Switzerland
*[[Yukon Quest]] in Alaska and the [[Yukon]]

Although dogsled racing gets more publicity and is seen now as the primary form of mushing, recreational mushing thrives as an unorganized sport providing a healthy outdoor form of winter exercise for families.

Mushing for utilitarian purposes includes anything from hauling wood or delivering milk or the mail to rural [[travel]] and equipment hauling. Dogs have been replaced by [[snowmobile]]s in many places, but some [[animal trapping|trapper]]s and other isolated users have gone back to sled dogs, finding them safer and more dependable in [[extreme weather]] conditions.