Category Archives: Dog profiles

Sled dog profile: Bugs

Bugs is running for Ed Iten of Kotzebue, Alaska

Age: 5
Sex: male
Weight: 55 pounds
Breed: Husky/Dalmation
Where does the dog run? Lead
Race experience: Kusko 300, Kobuk 440, Iditarod. Finished all three races last two years in lead.
What makes this dog special?
“Bugs is my ‘Go to’ man in tough conditions. He’ll break deep trail until you tell […]

Sled dog profile: Smudge

Smudge is running for Jon Korta of Galena, Alaska

Age: 5 1/2
Sex: M
Weight: 57 pounds
Breed: AK husky
Bloodlines: Village sprint / Jonrowe
Where does the dog run?: Lead / Swing
Race experience: Quest 250, Beargrease, Tustumena, Copper Basin, Iditarod
What makes this dog special?
“Smudge is one of seven littermates on our team that we have dubbed the Magnificent […]

Sled dog profile: Crackle

Crackle runs for Ryan Redington of Knik, Alaska

Age: 4 years
Sex: Female
Weight: 50 pounds
Breed: Alaskan husky
General bloodlines: Redington
Where does the dog run?: Leader
Race experience: Sheep mtn., Knik 200 champion, Tustumena 200, Goose Bay 120. This will be her first Iditarod.
What makes this dog special?
“She is the smoothest trotting dog in the kennel. She is a very […]

Sled dog profile: Lady

Lady is running for Kjetil Backen of Porsgrunn, Norway
Age: 4
Sex: female
Weight: 23 kg (51 pounds)
Breed: Alaskan husky
Bloodline: Daughter of Langbein, granddaughter of Takk.
Where does the dog run? Lead
Race experience: Femund 600 (twice), Finnmark 1000
What makes this dog special?
Backen had a difficult time choosing just one dog from his team, and actually selected three team members […]

Sled dog profile: Sockeye

Sockeye is running for Sven Haltmann of Willow, Alaska
Age: 3 1/2
Sex: female
Weight: 52 pounds
Breed: Father is Reb; mother, Agate (D2)
Bloodline: Buser
Where does the dog run? Anywhere — lead, swing, team, wheel
Race experience: Finished Serum Run 2006; Don Bowers 300 in 2007 (champion), Knik 200 in 2007; Copper Basin 300, 2008, 8th place
What makes this dog […]

Sled dog profile: Babe

Babe is running for Ramey Smyth of Willow, Alaska

Age: 10.5 years
Sex: female
Weight: 46 pounds
Breed: Alaskan husky
General bloodlines: Smyth
Where does the dog run? lead
Race experience: 8 Iditarod starts, 7 consecutive finishes in lead taking me under arch Photo verifiable, numerous placing and winning mid-distance races, 2nd place in this year’s Kuskokwim 300, lead all except 30 […]

Sled dog profile: Monty

Monty is running for Anne Capistrant of Healy, Alaska

Age: 9
Sex: Male
Weight: 60 pounds
Breed: AK Husky
General bloodlines: Wright-Champaine
Where does the dog run?: Leader
Race experience: Iditarod (three times), Copper Basin 300 (three times, Denali 300, Two Rivers 200 (two times), Serum Run
What makes this dog special?
“Monty is one of my best command leaders, […]

Sled dog profile: Shy Girl

Shy Girl is running for Melissa Owens of Nome, Alaska

Age: 2 years
Sex: Female
Breed: Alaskan Husky
General bloodlines (if known): Swingley, King, Buser
Where does the dog run? Lead/Swing
Race experience: 2007 and 2008 Jr. Iditarods
What makes this dog special?
“She is a young hard driving leader on my team and really fun to be around.”
– Melissa Owens

Sled dog profile: Bear

Bear is running for Paul Gebhardt of Kasilof, Alaska

Age: 4
Sex: Male
Weight:63.2 pounds
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Bloodlines: Gebhardt
Where does this dog run? Lead, swing
Race experience: Iditarod, Kuskokwim 300 and other mid-distance races.
What makes this dog special?
“He crossed the finish line on the 2nd place team in 2007 in the swing dog position, although he shared lead with Governor […]

Sled dog profile: Earp

Earp is running for Heather Siirtola of Trapper Creek, Alaska

Age: 5
Sex: Male
Weight: 52 pounds
Breed: Alaskan Husky
General bloodlines: Roxy Wright and Martin Buser Kennels
Where does the dog run? Lead
Race experience: He has been in the Knik, Klondike, Don Bowers, and Iditarod races.
What makes this dog special?
“Earp has a lot of determination […]