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 him to stop. He will swim a team across deep overflow in lead, or drive over glare ice and into head winds. He’s a pleaser.”
– Ed Iten

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 Seven. They’re born out of a female sprint dog that was given to us by Tom Huntington in Galena and bred to a big male that had come out of Dee Dee Jonrowe’s kennel. They are the litter of dogs that gave us a whole new perspective on mushing, transforming us from a recreational kennel to a racing kennel that can compete in Iditarod. Smudge is the only one of the Mag. 7 who sees serious time in lead. Smudge was a late bloomer as a leader, not really coming around to liking it until he was over 4 years old. Now that he’s got it figured out he’s making up for lost time and is all about getting the team down the trail. Smudge was a key leader for me in our rookie Iditarod last year, and I expect good things from him again this year. Just an all around, really good, cool dog!”
– Jon Korta

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 good leader, excellent gee-haw and keeps the team moving at a good pace. Lots of drive.”
– Ryan Redington

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 because ‘all are very special’ and have done an outstanding job so far this season. The other two are siblings, Maya and Marius…

 

(Note: Sockeye had a stiff shoulder before the race start, so Haltmann left her home in Willow this year.)

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 miles in middle.
What makes this dog special?
“I don’t have time to write what this dog deserves. She has been trying to lead my team since she was 6 months (loose back then). The story for her deserves a book, sorry. This dog has been faithful for me through all my mistakes and travails. A one-time learner. Courage and dedication to her job beyond belief. Wish I could write more.”
– Ramey Smyth

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, but what is perhaps even more amazing about him is his attitude. He absolutely loves to run, and he does so for the pure joy of running, not to please me. He would run whether I am on the sled or not. One thing about him that drives me crazy, is that when the temperature drops below -30, he will not sleep in his dog house. We worried about it until we realized that when the temperature is below -35, Monty’s daughter will not sleep in her house either.”
– Anne Capistrant

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

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 much of the race. One unique thing with Bear is that he does not like you to pet his head. He has a very interesting marking along his head that almost resembles a crown. You can rub his back and pet him anywhere else ’til the cows come home, but just stay away from the top of his head. He loves a good massage down the spine and will lean right into it.”
– from Paul Gebhardt’s web page

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 and a wonderful spirit. This makes him a great leader. He never lets down and keeps the team going. He is one of four siblings on the team — along with Wyatt, Kitty and Dolly — who has emerged as the leader of the pack.”
– Heather Siirtola

Age: 4.5
Sex: male
Weight: 62 pounds
Breed : Alaskan husky, parents are Long Island and Kira
General bloodlines: Buser dog, form the “Finding Nemo” litter, Dori & Nemo siblings
Where does the dog run? Leads
Race experience: ‘07 KUSKO winning team, JR Iditarod champ, Goose Bay 120 2nd place, 2008 Kusko 5th place, Cantwell Classic.
What makes this dog special?
“Big boy, has a fast-flying trot, hairiest dog on the team.”
– Martin Buser

Age: 3
Sex: male
Weight: 60
Breed: Alaskan husky
General bloodlines: unknown
Where does the dog run? Lead, team or wheel.
Race experience: Gin Gin 200, Sheep Mountain 150, Chatanika 200, Copper Basin 300, Klondike 300, Taiga 300 and Yukon Quest 07
What makes this dog special?
“Hunter is a rescue dog from the Fairbanks Animal Shelter. He’s been running in the main team since he first went into harness at our kennel 2 years ago. Hunter had behavioral issues that made him a tough candidate for likely adoption. We had to work with Hunter for several months, and with time and patience, he’s come around strong. Still, he likes to be the boss at times keeping me on my toes. Hunter is always there for the team either leading us down the trail or contributing from the back in team or wheel. He takes his food seriously and soaks up all the attention one is willing to give… from the thought of booties and ointments to massage and belly rubs. I think Hunter likes to race because he’s up for all these things, day after day after day. Hunter has finished all his races thus far… saying … ‘see you in Nome’ ”
– Zoya Denure

Age: 6
Sex: Female (spayed)
Weight: 42 pounds
Breed: Siberian Husky
General bloodlines: Both her parents are Iditarod finishers from my kennel. Her Mom, Kara, was one of my main leaders for many seasons and just retired this year.
Where does the dog run? Anywhere, but is currently my main leader, so usually in lead or swing.
Race experience: Three Iditarods and a bunch of mid-distance races.
What makes this dog special?
“The neat thing about Dasher is her sense of humor and general love of life. I’ve had a lot of cool leaders over the years, but most were serious and focused on the job – not Dasher, she is a party girl. Her tail never stops wagging and there is always a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She is opinionated and frequently ‘lectures’ me (probably on how I need to relax and loosen up!) often stomping her front feet at me while doing it to really get her point across. Her love for her life and for her job is an infectious kind of thing and I really enjoy running and working with her.”

– Karen Ramstead

Age: 6
Sex: male
Weight: 62 pounds
Breed: Alaskan husky
General bloodlines: Buser
Where does the dog run?: Lead
Race experience: Iditarod ‘06, ‘07, numerous mid distance races.
What makes this dog special?
“Trapper was a single pup out of our first breeding. He has gone on to become our main dog and is the sire and grand sire to the majority of our kennel. He is an amazing dog that will do anything and go anywhere.”
– Matt Hayashida

Age: 5
Sex: Male
Weight: 56 pounds
Breed : Alaskan
General bloodlines: Sire from Martin Buser’s kennel and the dam from Ross Saunderson’s kennel.
Where does the dog run? He will run anywhere but most useful in lead.
Race experience: Iditarod 2005 and 2006 (and various mid-distance events).
What makes this dog special?
“Starman is priceless because of his seemingly endless energy and quick recovery time late in the race. He is one of the rare leaders that will leave a coastal checkpoint as fast as he came into the checkpoint. He is not necessarily the sharpest knife in the drawer but hey, neither is anybody who wants to run the Iditarod.”
– Ed Stielstra