Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Greenland by dog sledge: The Sirius Patrol in numbers
BBC ^ | November 29, 2011

Posted on 11/30/2011 4:52:56 AM PST by decimon


At 40-50kg, Sirius dogs are bred to be heavier and stronger

Since the Cold War, Denmark has staked its claim to northern Greenland - and its untapped mineral wealth - with dog sledge patrols. This is the Sirius Patrol in numbers.

The vast icy expanses at the top of our planet are rich in coal, ore and minerals. Although inhospitable in the extreme, these areas are in demand.

Denmark patrols and protects its sovereignty over Greenland with a small naval unit called the Sirius Patrol. The US Geological Survey estimates the oil reserves off its coast are as big as those in the North Sea.

Each autumn, six dog sledge teams - each manned by two soldiers from the Royal Danish Navy - spend up to six months patrolling an area of 160,000 sq km (60,000 sq miles). They are the only people in a vast wilderness about three times the size of Denmark.

During winter the sun disappears for two months. The average yearly temperature is -10C (14F) and the mercury can dip as low as -55C (-67F) - the lowest recorded temperature in the area.

There are up to 14 dogs in each team, and a day's patrol will typically cover 30km (19 miles). At night the soldiers retire to a hi-tech tent. The dogs sleep outside, even in the depths of winter.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Military/Veterans; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: dog; doggieping

1 posted on 11/30/2011 4:52:58 AM PST by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

Ping


2 posted on 11/30/2011 4:53:35 AM PST by decimon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: decimon

"Woof"

3 posted on 11/30/2011 5:06:40 AM PST by Jonah Hex ("To Serve Manatee" is a cookbook!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; Shannon; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; ...
WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

4 posted on 11/30/2011 5:12:56 AM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: decimon

interesting bump, too bad we can’t use sled dogs to secure our sovereignty!

Maybe pit bulls!


5 posted on 11/30/2011 5:19:48 AM PST by silverleaf (common sense is not so common- voltaire)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: decimon

What the hell is a dog SLEDGE?
Is that a big hammer used to kill dogs?
I think it is a SLED.


6 posted on 11/30/2011 5:31:28 AM PST by 9422WMR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 9422WMR

my bad:
SLEDGE
A vehicle mounted on low runners drawn by work animals, such as horses or dogs, and used for transporting loads across ice, snow, and rough ground.

tr. & intr.v., sledged, sledg·ing, sledg·es.
To convey or travel on a sledge.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/sledge#ixzz1fC8vDCYp
its too early for posting........


7 posted on 11/30/2011 5:34:33 AM PST by 9422WMR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: decimon

this could be hugh.


8 posted on 11/30/2011 5:43:03 AM PST by Tainan (Cogito, ergo conservatus sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 9422WMR
Is that a big hammer used to kill dogs?

"Don't make me come over there."

;-)

9 posted on 11/30/2011 5:47:18 AM PST by Jonah Hex ("To Serve Manatee" is a cookbook!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: decimon

This story does not identify the breed of dog used. :( Huskies? Malemutes? Other? Just that they are bred to be larger and stronger. Beautiful animals.

I had no idea that Denmark patrolled Greenland — especially so faithfully. I thought this article was going to be about Sattelite radio! LOL


10 posted on 11/30/2011 12:54:30 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson