TEWKSBURY, Mass. — A natural pet food brand has been named the official dog food of an upcoming sled dog race.

Eagle Pack said it would sponsor the 2011 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which runs from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. As the official dog food sponsor, Eagle Pack will supply food along the trail, and will dedicate funds to the health and care of the Iditarod dogs.

Al Townshend, Eagle Pack's staff veterinarian and a former recipient of the Iditarod's Golden Stethoscope Award for ultimate canine caregiving, knows firsthand what mushers on the trail need to keep all the dogs in top shape. "Eagle Pack's high-quality, performance-proven formula has been developed with canine athletes and quality breeders. This has helped us make better foods for all dogs, not just those that require exceptional nutrition, and resulted in our gaining an advanced understanding of a dog's true needs," he said.