Rene Marchildon

Scott Shailer

2005

Dog Sledding Mid-distance
Race Results

Eldorado, Ontario: 60 mile; Rene second
Scott eleventh

Marmora, Ontario: 120 mile; Rene second
30 mile; Scott seventh

Kearney, Ontario: 80 mile; Rene first
Scott second

Bancroft, Ontario: 60 mile; Rene first
Scott third

Fort Kent, Maine 250 mile; Rene second

Ontario dogsledding mid-distance race champion

CONGRATULATIONS TO RENE ON
HIS OUTSTANDING RACE SEASON

CONGRATULATIONS TO SCOTT ON A
GREAT ROOKIE SEASON

Why Race Dogs?

In every dog musher there beats the heart of a competitor. Each of us is fiercely proud of our dogs & each of us believes that we are striving to get the ultimate performance from our dog sledding team, and when we get the team to that point, then we can win. Better nutrition, better conditioning & training, better discipline.

musher and team at dog sled race checkpoint

This is evidenced in the guides here at Chocpaw, running Algonquin Park Ontario expeditions, who take immense pride in their dogs & the capabilities of their teams.

We are very fortunate to have exceptional dog people who spread their knowledge & skills & enthusiasm to see that all the dogs in the kennel reach acceptable standards for performance & discipline.

Why Dog Sled Racing?

Why should an expedition kennel put dogs in competition?

Racing is a testing ground. It tests the quality of your dogs. It tests your breeding program, your nutrition program, your knowlegde about running sled dogs & your skills in teaching & training dogs.

It is the only way to know where you & your dogs stand compared to proven quality dogs.

The Chocpaw Sledding Race Team

Ontario Sledding Champion Rene training his dog sled team for mid-distance racing

Everyone here at Chocpaw is part of the team. Everyone helps train & condition & helps evaluate dogs.

Marg makes booties & coats. Many people in the community contribute to the racing effort supplying snack foods.

One of Rene's biggest supporters this year has been Sue Moss of Ravens Watch who has made booties & come up with snacks & treats for his dogs. Several area trappers have kept the dogs well supplied with beaver.

Rene Marchildon, Ontario mid-distance dog sledding race champion

Rene Marchildon is our racer. He has been running dogs for almost 30 years. He has worked the expedition business with me for 20 years so has a great deal of experience handling & training dogs. Six years ago Rene took his expedition team on the Ontario mid distance sledding circuit & immediately established himself as a contender. The following year Rene was the best in Ontario. He continues to be a threat in every race & with two solid performances in Maine & New Hampshire last season, the name Rene Marchildon is now associated with good dogs, well trained & a threat to win every race.

Scott Shailer, Ontario dog sledding race competitor

Rene's plan is over the next two years to gain more experience in the 200 to 500 mile races & then take his team into the Yukon for the 1000 mile Yukon Quest and/or the Iditarod.

This year Rene trained 2 sledding teams. Late December Scott Shailer, a second year guide, stepped up to run the second sledding team. Scott is a fierce competitor having competed in cycling races & marathon runs.

Chocpaw's Mid-distance Race Sled Dogs

The racing pool of dogs includes dogs acquired from Les Taylor, Mo Lessard, Lou Serre, Bob Allen, & of course dogs bred in the kennel. Alaskans, Eurohounds & Lourohounds. These dogs trace their ancestry into the best racing kennels in the world.

IRIS

Rene's outstanding crack Gee/Haw leader. Produced from our own breeding of Irma - acquired from Don McKeown, a Corki line dog of Les Taylor's bred to Tate a big male from Grant Beck's lines.

Rene picked her out at 4 weeks as his future leader. Two Iris pups, Meaghan & Melissa ran in the main team this winter. At a year and a half they both completed the 250 Fort Kent race.

RYDER

This 4 year old rangy male out of a Saunderson/Swingley breeding rose to the challenge this season leading the main race team including the entire 250 mile Fort Kent race.