Russian dog-lovers in the remote Kamchatka region compete in a traditional dogsled race and in a new sport for Russians - skijoring.

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Dog-lovers in Russia's remote Kamchatka peninsula took part in the annual dog sled race and skijoring contest.

Dog sled has been Kamchatka's traditional means of transportation for centuries and dogsled races is one of locals' favorite sports.

Skijoring is defined as a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a dog - it's new to the region and rapidly becoming popular.

Anya Semashkina, the daughter of the race organizers, was the youngest dog sled race participant.

[Anya Semashkina, Dogsled Race Participant]:
"No, I am not afraid, I like dog sled racing and I love to do sports."

Traditionally the sled is pulled by four dogs.

Among this year's racing canines, the most popular breeds were Alaska and Siberian huskies, malamutes, Norwegian metis and Kamchatka laikas.

The success of the race equally depends on both a human and a dog.

[Natalya Orekhova, Skijoring Racer]:
"It is a duo, you cannot say that it is just a human or just a dog, we'll see a result at finish, and it is achieved only together with the dog."

Dogs owners say that racing with dogs not only keeps their pets fit, but also prevents them from being too active at home.

[Alina Fedyaeva, Skijoring Racer]:
"The dog is very active and in order to keep her in the apartment you need to provide a lot of training for her, so she doesn't destroy the flat, so I have to entertain her like this so she is too exhausted to do something else at home."

Kamchatka is covered with snow for almost 9 months a year, making it one of the best places in the world for skijoring and dogsled racing.

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