Alaska's famous furry citizens, the dogs of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, are the most athletic canines in the world. From puppyhood to first days in the harness, from championship runs across a thousand miles of snow to years of pampered retirement, these spectacular dogs are indeed man's (and woman's) best friends.

Jeff Schultz has been a official photographer for the Iditarod Trail Committee since 1982. His images have appeared in numerous books, calendars, and magazines, including National Geographic and Audubon.