In fact while the Gold Rush was going full swing in Alaska, groups of dogsledders formed and wanted to compare their teams’ strength and speed. That’s about all it took for the sport to be created… - France 
History of sled dog sport
THE FIRST RACES IN ALASKA
The competition was quite lively among dog sled teams and gold seekers and ultimately led to the “Nome Kennel Club,” which was founded in 1907 in Nome (in North-West Alaska).
EVOLUTION OF THE SLED DOG SPORT
In North America
Since the beginning of the 20th century, races have grown in number in the United States and Canada, leaving their Alaskan birthplace. A second birthplace of races appeared in New England, with the foundation of the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924. In 1932, the Olympic Games of Lake Placid allowed Dog Sledding as a demonstration sport, which was an instant success with the large group of spectators present.
The second world war definitely slowed progress in the development of competitions, but they later returned even stronger thanks to the increased number of clubs. The Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers should be mentioned because their leader Robert Levorsen was president of the ISDRA from 1971 to 1974. 1971 is also an important year because it was then that the governor of the state of Alaska officially declared dog sledding as a “national sport.”
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