Lead Dog, Male, 6 years old Copper (“Cops”) was a notably chill puppy who much preferred naps in the sun and dinnertime to any other activity (who doesn’t?). He quickly became an easily-distracted yearling who preferred chasing squirrels to running straight, but by the time he turned three, he had grown into a stand-out leader. He is invariably ready for an adventure, making him a confident dog when we are moving down the trail and exploring new places. When he’s not mushing, one of his hobbies is to collect all of his favorite bones in the play yard and lie on them like a dragon protecting his treasure. Siblings: Cobalt, Lava, Crystal, Sapphire Birthday: 2/24/18 Parents: Bonnie x Unknown Sponsor Copper for the 23-24 season!
Lead/Swing, Male, 6 years old Cobalt (“Kobe Joe”) is an all-around great guy. A main command leader, he has been up front almost from day one of training. By 11 months old, he and his sister were leading a puppy team by themselves, with every dog in the team being under one year old. Over the course of the past few years, he has continued to develop in this role and really shines wherever he runs. His speed and drive, as well as his need to please, are some of his best qualities. He is an extremely loyal and loving dog. Siblings: Copper, Lava, Crystal, Sapphire Birthday: 2/24/18 Parents: Bonnie x Unknown Sponsor Cobalt for the 23-24 season!
Female, Lead/Swing, 6 years old Lava (“Splavy”) has a velvety black coat, white socks, and one blue eye like her brothers. Lava is hands-down one of the most fun dogs to both work and live with. She is our go-to boat dog and joins us on our annual moose hunt every year, as she is incredibly loyal, compact, and elegant when running river banks. Like Cobalt, she has always been a natural leader. Lava’s love for adventure, thousand mile trot, and devotion makes her an irreplaceable member of the team and the family. Siblings: Cobalt, Copper, Crystal, Sapphire Birthday: 2/24/18 Parents: Bonnie x Unknown Sponsor Lava for the 23-24 season!
Female, Swing Dog, 6 years old Crystal (“Blystal”) is an intense dog who is ready to run anywhere, anytime. She has a lovely smooth, efficient trot. While she is submissive to all humans, Crystal likes the rest of the pack to think that she is the top dog. Though she would make a challenging pet, she is an incredible athlete, a rugged companion, and extremely competent in the outdoors. This is the dog I would imagine could survive in the wilderness on her own and would probably end up leading her own wolf pack in no time. Siblings: Cobalt, Lava, Copper, Sapphire Birthday: 2/24/18 Parents: Bonnie x Unknown Sponsor Crystal for the 23-24 season!
Female, Lead/Swing, 6 years old Sapphire (“Sappy”) is an excellent athlete as well as a spoiled house pet, like her sisters. This girl is fun-loving, a wonderful companion, and also SUPER dramatic. When she was a tiny puppy, she would scream her head off until someone came by to pick her up. She loves skijoring especially, and gets a kick out of getting the rest of the dogs amped up by turning around and barking in their faces. Sapphire has a real zest for life. She is a great lead dog, like her four siblings, and loves to go exploring. Siblings: Cobalt, Lava, Crystal, Copper Birthday: 2/24/18 Parents: Bonnie x Unknown Sponsor Sapphire for the 23-24 season!
Female, Lead Dog, 9 years old A steadfast lead dog, Grayling (“GrayGray”) is one of the sweetest dogs at the kennel. She was raised and trained by junior mushers in Fairbanks. She ran several mid distance races before joining our team in 2019, right before we moved the kennel to Nome. Grayling, named after the Iditarod checkpoint, is slowing down a bit, so she doesn’t race as much anymore, but she still trains and explores with the team, and can frequently be found in lead training less experienced dogs. She’s also a crowd favorite during tours. Half sister: Sookie Birthday: 5/20/14 Parents: Salt x Bolt (B. Mackey) Sponsor Grayling for the 23-24 season!
Male, Team Dog, 8 years old Perky (“the Perkster,” “Perkolator”) is by far the silliest, goofiest dog here at the kennel. He is endlessly playful, and loves to spin in circles when he’s excited (which is often!). He is a good-natured dog and gets along with everyone. He loves to be inside, and is very well-behaved in the house. Perky came to us from Aliy Zirkle, the only woman to ever win the Yukon Quest and three-time 2nd place Iditarod finisher. He was on her last Iditarod team before she retired in 2021, and he had also previously run the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. Birthday: 9/23/15 Parents: Olivia x Nacho (Zirkle) Sponsor Perky for the 23-24 season!
Male, Team Dog, 11 years old Phil (“Philly boy”) is just a really cool dog, and he knows it. He stands out in a crowd, with his silvery coat and majestic wolfy look. Though he is a larger dog, he is a typical gentle giant – friendly, calm, and easy to handle when being harnessed and put on the line. His favorite activity is to run around the play yard, always with a toy in his mouth. Before we got him, he ran many mid-distance races in southcentral Alaska with Jessica Klejka and her junior mushers, and he has continued his racing career with us. Birthday: 12/10/12 Parents: Summit x Dollar (Baker/King/Kaiser) Sponsor Phil for the 23-24 season!
Male, Lead Dog, 5 years old Fox (“Mr. Fox”) is a fantastic guy – he’s also a strong, reliable lead dog. Aside from mushing, his favorite time of the day is dinnertime (whose isn’t?!). He gets along with everyone, and is particularly popular with the ladies. Most recently, he finished on Joar Leifseth Ulsom’s 2nd place 2022 Copper Basin 300 team. He is an asset to our team, and we are excited to have him as part of the family! Birthday: 5/27/18 Parents: Kurtis x Atigun (Reitan) Sponsor Fox for the 23-24 season!
Female, Team Dog, 4 years old Sookie (“Sooks”) is a forever puppy, in looks and personality. She is very sweet with people and extremely easy to handle. When it comes to other dogs, she wants everyone to know that she is the best. Flirtatious, dainty, and fun-loving, this girl loves being close to her people most of all. She joined our kennel when she was 10 months old, and we can’t imagine life without her! Half sister: Grayling Birthday: 4/13/19 Parents: Salt x Kingpin (B. Mackey) Sponsor Sookie for the 23-24 season!
Male, Leader in Training/Team/Wheel, 3 years old Governor (“Gov”) came to us as a yearling along with his kennel-mate, Hailey. He ran two 150 mile races his first season with us, and has been a rock star ever since. He even did some leading during training runs that first year, and as he matures, we expect him to be more and more comfortable up front. He is a sensitive, gentle dog with a smooth gait and an immense amount of power. He also loves spending time sleeping inside, typically on the dining room table if given the option. Birthday: 5/18/20 Parents: Sugar x Burly (Marrs x B. Mackey/Petit – DeLoach) Sponsor Governor for the 23-24 season!
Male, Wheel Dog, 6 years old Royal (“Roy,” “Blue Bell) is our strongest, most enthusiastic dog. He loves being a sled dog, and is typically found in the wheel position, where he excels. Shy toward most strangers, he forms a strong bond with his people, and transforms when the harness comes out. His favorite thing, other than mushing, is to gently give hugs and stare at me lovingly with those bright blue eyes. He likes to spend time inside, so long as he can be right next to me at all times. He is a real gem of a dog. Father of Hailey Birthday: 5/17/17 Parents: Ozark x Folsom (R. Mackey x B. Mackey/Rhodes -DeLoach) Sponsor Royal for the 23-24 season!
Female, Swing/Team/Wheel, 3 years old Hailey (“Hailey Bailey”) came to us at the same time as Governor as a yearling. She also ran two 150 mile races her first season as a sled dog, with admirable ease. At checkpoints and during breaks on the trail, when the rest of the team wanted to keep napping, she and her dad (Royal), were always the first ones up and ready to get moving again, barking and lunging on the line by the time the other dogs groggily opened their eyes. Though she inherited her shyness from her dad, she is a sweet, gentle dog. She makes long runs look easy. This small, yet mighty girl is destined to do great things. Daughter of Royal Birthday: 7/4/2020 Parents: Royal x Comet (R. Redington x B. Mackey – DeLoach) Sponsor Hailey for the 23-24 season!
Female, Team Dog, 6 years old Raksha (“Roodles”), who we adopted through Sirius Sled Dog Rescue when she was 3 months old, is the class clown. She gives off a gentle, tranquil demeanor, until she gets hooked up in the team – then she becomes a boisterous, loud maniac who doesn’t know how to keep her paws to herself. Once we get going, she’s happy to run at a recreational pace for short distances, so long as a warm couch awaits. Raksha is wonderful with people, and makes everyone laugh with her constant ‘ahwoooawhoooo!” Birthday: 11/24/2017 Parents: Unknown Adopted from Sirius Sled Dogs Rescue in Fairbanks Sponsor Raksha for the 23-24 season!
Male, Sled Dog in Training, 1 year Rocket (“Sprocket”) has developed into a fabulous dog. He was part of an accidental breeding at another kennel, where he was well-socialized and raised by junior mushers. We adopted him when he was 4 months old, and he has proven to be an extremely intelligent, trainable dog. He is Rosie’s constant companion, a well-behaved house dog (most of the time), and a fearless adventure buddy. During harness training this fall, he impressed us with his enthusiasm and drive. We can’t wait to see the places he takes us!
Birthday: 2/8/2023 Parents: Ember x Unknown (W. Forsberg x Buser x Mackey) Adopted from the August Fund Sponsor Rocket for the 23-24 season!
Companion Dogs
Female, Supervisor, 9 years old Registered Name: Alaskan Collies A Winter Walk Winter (“Splinter”) is a rough collie who was born in Minnesota. Raised by one of my first sled dogs, Will, she is a joy to be around. Her favorite thing to do is to “PLAY!” and lounge outside during blizzards until she is covered in snow and looks like a polar bear. Her heavy coat makes her suited for extreme environments, except when the snow balls up on her fur. She loves to go for walks and chases the dog team down the trail whenever she gets the chance. Birthday: 11/21/2014 Parents: Blue Willow x Logan (Northern Classic Collies) Sponsor Winter for the 23-24 season!
Male, Team Manager, 6 years old Registered Name: Blackforest Call of the Wild Tikaani (“Tikki”) is a Belgian sheepdog who was born in California. He is often seen running around in the yard, always with something in his mouth – a stick, a ball, sometimes even a trail stake. He is a fierce protector, but also a sweet, sensitive dog who is happiest when he is cuddling with his people. Tikaani is up for anything, anytime. He runs with the team when we go out for shorter distances, and he loves to go on adventures outside of mushing too. He never leaves our side. Birthday: 3/2/2017 Parents: Rosie x Zizou (Blackforest Belgians) Sponsor Tikaani for the 23-24 season!