The avid Australian dog sled racer from Bendigo first started competing around five years ago, and recently won the Siberian Husky Club of NSW's Australian Sled dog Sports Association's national junior championship.

Bowles competed in the junior one dog category, alongside his Siberian Husky, Evie.

"I got Evie four years ago, she is a Siberian Husky rescue dog," Bowles said.

"When I first got her she didn't know anything about racing, so I had to train her on the track."

Bowles' goal is to one day race with up to six dogs.

Bowles first became interested in the sport after being introduced to sled dog racing by his step-father Marty Cord.

Bowles' mother Lisa was also introduced to the sport by Cord.

"When I first met Marty he was heavily involved with the sport and I had always wanted to own a Husky but at the time I didn't know anything about the racing side of it," Lisa Bowles said.

"He brought me along to a few races and the rest is history.

"The best part of it is the ability to combine a love for racing with dogs.

"When you're out racing, to know that the only thing that's going to get you back is all of the hardwork and training."

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Cord has been involved with rescue dogs for decades, and relishes every opportunity he can to give the dogs the ability to race.

"There are so many aspects to it all," he said.

"There's the importance of dog welfare, nutrition and letting them do what they're bred to do.

"You work as a team with the dogs and it brings all the areas of interest into the one sport."

Sled dog racing first became prominent in the northern hemisphere, but was adapted by passionate Australians who wanted to see the sport excel.

"The main importance is always the dog's welfare," Cord said.

"In Australia because of the lack of and length of time we have snow...it was adapted to ensure the dogs are always well looked after and they don't overheat themselves."

In contrast to the marathon length races held in the northern hemisphere, Australia conducts sprint-style racing which usually covers significantly smaller distances.

Racers can use an array of dog numbers, ranging from single up to typically eight.

Cord has taken his passion for the sport to the next level by using his years of knowledge and expertise to create his own business, Canine Equipment Services.

He specialises in manufacturing dry-land and snow dog sledding equipment as well as pet nutrition products.

READ MORE: Racing underway in Alaska's sled dog race

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