Not All Sled Dogs Run Races...Denali National Park Kennel

I've been to two kennels where the owners raise and breed sled dogs and race their dogs. On Thursday I went to a different kind of working dog kennel which all America taxpayers contribute to when we pay federal taxes. This kennel is in Denali National Park and these dogs are used in the park to haul supplies, rescue visitors, and be an integral part in the construction of structures where no motorized vehicles may go inside the park.

The rangers here may put 800 miles on their sleds and dogs during a single season. These dogs were described as football players, compared to racing dogs who are marathon runners. They love to work and do what they can to please the rangers.

Because we pay for their training, upkeep, and medical costs the public should have access to them, so the park gives FREE demonstrations three times a day during the summer. Visitors meet at the Visitors' Center, by way of white dog paws painted on the ground, load park buses, and are driven to the kennel. Once a bus arrives people can go straight to the kennel to love on the dogs, pet them, or just photograph them.

The dogs are housed in three ways. Some are penned up, but not because they are dangerous or even in trouble. Visitors may reach through the fence to rub these beautiful dogs. If the dogs don't feel like being touched at any given time they will go to their houses or at least get out of the reach of a human hand. During the summer these dogs need to sleep or at least rest during the day because it is just too hot for them.

Mixtus slept, Aurora sat politely, and Spur sat close to the fence so he/she could
receive affection.

The next type of setting is the roped off areas. Those dogs will walk up to the ropes and you can touch them politely or give a nice long back rub if they prefer those! visitors cannot walk over to the dog if it means crossing over the roped off area. Most of the dogs would come up and sit, as if to say, "OK, I'm ready for you to love on me..." When they were done they would either go sleep in, on, or around their houses.

Cassin was a very sweet dog but wanted to sleep.

I can't read this dog's name on his house, but he was very interested in everyone who walked to him or by him. Look at his beautiful stance!

Lava. He was more interested in looking important on his house! He even turned his back on me once, then looked around to see if I was still standing there.

The last type of housing were those dogs who had no pens or ropes. They were allowed to be approached if sitting or laying on their houses or just hanging out at their houses. Most of these guys were really fun to interact with, mainly because they had no barriers between them and us. Chultina gave me a big face lick so I reciprocated with a kiss on her face.

Nuna and Sultana were two other favorites of mine.

I got some of Sultana's fur to show my students. As with the dogs at Mike Santos' kennel, the dogs' fur here is given to, or sold to, a lady to make hats and headbands. Each day these dogs are brushed and the buckets fill up pretty quickly!

These dogs love anything that has to do with running. Because the temperatures are way too hot for them to take actual training runs or haul supplies they do a short demo run every few days. When they see it is time for a show they start barking, jumping up and down, trying to get the rangers to pick them. Poor Sultana...Ran on Wednesday so wasn't getting picked today. That did not stop him/her from wanting to go. At several times while others were being hooked up to the gangline this dog had all four feet off of the ground, jumping several feet up!
After a run the dogs get water and rest while the ranger continues to talk about them and their work, then answers audience questions. They still want the attention though...

When the dogs decide they are not interested in working any more they are eligible to be adopted. It is a very competitive application and only people from the northern part of the country can adopt them, due to the climate they need to live in. Huskies do NOT need to live in the south or southern midwest or even the areas where it gets really warm for part of the year. Recreational mushers understand a dog's need to have a purpose, so they may be used for small teams or skijoring. After about age nine apparently many dogs begin to actively search for ways to retire.

DNP also has positions for dog walkers during the summer. When the park closes volunteers come in and take a specific dog out for a walk. Lest you think it is easy, imagine handling one dog who, with a few others, can pull a sled filled with hundreds of pounds of supplies. Now imagine that dog on a leash, not pulling anything, except for maybe you! They do obey but it must be taught to them so they won't drag their walker clear down the path!

The last really important dog is Buck. He doesn't say much, eating is not a problem, nor is cleaning up his messes. Buck stands on his house all day, accepting handouts. He takes coins and dollar bills, anything to help support the kennel. All donations are thankfully received and the dogs benefit from generous donors.

So the next time you visit Denali National Park, you simply must give these dogs a visit. They are definitely a bright spot for most people who have been shuffled from ships to trains to buses, always on a tight schedule. Lucor would certainly appreciate aback rub or neck rub from you!