Denali Dogs

We love dogs. We totally identify with that “man’s best friend” thing. And, having our “furry princess” with us certainly has enhanced our trip. So, when we heard that we could visit the kennels at Denali to see their sled dogs, it went to the top of our priority list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever since the park was established in 1917, dog sleds have been used to patrol the park and transport supplies. Wilderness area regulations prohibit the use of motorized vehicles in areas of the park so dog sleds are still used today. They are the most efficient, reliable and I might add fun way to take care of business in the park.

 

Left: “Fin” had unusual blue and brown speckled eyes.

 

The Alaskan Huskies are bred by the kennels for the type of dog they need; large, strong, long legged and friendly (racing dogs are much smaller). They usually keep about 30 dogs. The dogs start working at a year of age and are retired when they are nine. If you are active and live in a cold climate (the dogs prefer -10F), the retirees are available for adoption.

 

I was thinking that the kennels would be more like a zoo where you get to view from afar but we actually got to pet them! I was also thinking that being working dogs they wouldn’t be very people oriented. Boy, was I wrong about that too. They thrived on the attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They were also very laid back, that is, until it came time to go to work. When the rangers came out of the tack room to select the dogs to be used for a demonstration, it’s as if someone sounded an alarm and all of a sudden they were all howling and straining at their chains. The Big Dude translated their howls as “pick me, pick me”!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once in their harnesses, a Ranger took them for a spin around a track. It only took a few seconds for them to reappear through the forest. They looked as if they were just getting warmed up to go another 20 miles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: Tack room with the name plates of retired dogs.

 

 

 

     

 

right: “I’m not too sure about this new musher”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dudes had smiles on their faces the whole time we were there (as did I). We had a great time with the dogs and decided that the best job in the park is that of a Ranger/Musher!