The Dogs
The canine athletes of YoopAK Kennel and Tours are a diverse group of dogs, each with his or her own set of likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. Our focus going forward with the team is looking to maintain a more traditional husky, as apposed to the modern day racing Alaskan Husky. In our breeding standards this means we look for a love for pulling and working in a team, a THICK double coat capable of camping in the heart of Interior winters, large tough feet for rough snow or overflow, compact and thick build which makes hauling heavy loads a breeze, a fierce appetite, and a friendly disposition.
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AllierDOB: May 21, 2014 Sponsor:
Position: Leader Weight: 50 pounds Litter Theme: Pronounced Al-LEE-air, this girl is a fireball. Allier joins us from Bravo Kennel. When she was just 22 months old Allier ran the Iditarod, completing half the race in lead! Endless go and drive, she is does not play well with other females. We are excited to have this sweet girl in the kennel. |
DukeDOB: 2012 Sponsor: Nga Lam and Chloe Levine
Position: Leader California Weight: 50 pounds Litter Theme: John Wayne Duke joined the team from Willow, AK. Duke has the heart to run 1000 miles like his siblings but a reoccurring injury prevents him from going farther than 20 miles at a time. He LOVES people and having his photo taken! |
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DysonDOB: May 1, 2010 Sponsor: Lee and Debbie Freedman
Position: Leader Brimley, MI Weight: 60 pounds Litter Theme: Vacuum cleaners Dyson has been with the YoopAK Kennel since our beginnings in 2014. His calm laid back nature has been an asset for training the young up and comers. Generally he prefers human affection over play time with his teammates. Dyson has led us down many trails and he has many more adventures to still experience! |
Flash DOB: July 8, 2017 Sponsor: Emma Ware, California
Position: Leader in training Weight: 50 pounds Litter Theme: Lightning Flash is a real riot! Quirky and playful Flash loves people and dogs alike. At just two years old, Flash is ready to be put to the test! Like his brother Voltage, Flash shows real promise as an up and coming leader. We look forward to the many adventures we will have with Flash! |
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FoxDOB: April 2011 Sponsor:
Position: Team Weight: 60 pounds Litter Theme: Unknown Fox (aka Foxy) is one of the team's steady members we can always rely on to do his job. Fox is very affectionate and sweet. He has a distinctive shrill bark when he is excited, especially when food is involved! |
GusDOB: June 28, 2017 Sponsor:
Position: Leader in Training Weight: 55 pounds Litter Theme: Lonesome Dove Gus (short for Augustus) is all go! At times squirmy and hard to handle all Gus thinks about is running down the trail. He eats like an alligator and can be a bottomless pit. Despite his enthusiasm to eat he gets plump quite fast! Gus' father is a multi time Yukon Quest 1000 finisher and we suspect Gus has the same ambitions. |
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Hank Jr.DOB: September 2013 Sponsor:
Position: Leader Weight: 50 pounds Litter Theme: Country Singers Hank Jr. joined the team from the Dalton Gang in Healy, AK along with his brother Willie. Hank Jr. is a Yukon Quest finisher and will be a valuable leader to teach the young dogs about racing and camping. |
KatahdinDOB: January 20, 2016 Sponsor: Stephanie and Chase Teeple &
Position: Leader Lee, Debbie, and Ashley Freedman Weight: 65 pounds Brimley, MI Litter Theme: Appalachian Trail The only puppy born in his litter, Katahdin has always been a unique individual. Focused and driven from a young age, Katahdin was leading his six dog team at just seven months of age! Intelligent and soft tempered, Katahdin always wants to please. His favorite position is single lead! |
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Little JohnDOB: April 2014 Sponsor:
Position: Team Weight: 70 pounds Little John joined the kennel named "Jumbo". Along the way the nickname Little John seemed more suited to him and it stuck. Large and strong, he's a real sweetheart with a soft personality. When he's excited to go Little John's big booming bark is like no other! |
PiperDOB: 2010 Sponsor:
Position: Leader Weight: 45 pounds Litter Theme: Airplanes Piper joined the kennel fall of 2019 from Willow, AK. Ryan has known Piper since she was just a tiny pup and spent several years running her in her youth. Now, she is retiring from long distance racing and has a comfy dog bed in the house. She still enjoys leading and running with her team. Generally shy with new people, Piper often will sit out on the tours. |
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Q-BallDOB: 2015 Sponsor:
Position: Team Weight: 60 pounds Litter Theme: "Q" litter Joining us from Willow, AK in September 2019, please give a warm welcome to Q-Ball! This big boy decided he prefers a slower paced kennel, and he fits right in with our team. A real workhorse, Q-ball LOVES people and being with his husky companions. There is no mistaking Q-ball with his flashy markings and blue eyes! |
RowdyDOB: April 2009 Sponsor:
Position: Swing Weight: 60 pounds Silly and sweet Rowdy is a barrel of laughs. Don't let his age fool you, he may be ten years old but he has energy for days! Those grey hairs around his muzzle are indicative of all the experience he brings to the team. Generally, he sticks to running the tours and shorter loops. |
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ShaggyDOB: September 1, 2016 Sponsor:
Position: Team Weight: 75 pounds Litter Theme: Amazing Eight Big and strong, he prefers to stay close to the sled and work hard. Shaggy excels in wheel and really helps steer the sled on tight trails. Goofy and loveable, Shaggy LOVES people. Be sure to visit this love bug after a run, he'll melt right into your lap. Once you walk away, he'll be barking to go again! |
Voltage DOB: July 8, 2017 Sponsor: The Stover and Sinke Families
Position: Leader in Training Mattawan, MI Weight: 45 pounds Litter Theme: Lightning "Small but mighty" has been Voltage's motto since he was a tiny puppy. At 8 weeks old he was the constant trouble maker, leading his siblings off on naughty adventures! At two years old Voltage is shining as an up and coming leader. He has been learning the ropes from Dyson and shows all the promise of being our next main leader. |
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WillieDOB September 2013 Sponsor:
Position: Leader Weight: 55 pounds Litter Theme: Country Singers Willie joined the team from the Dalton Gang in Healy, AK. Carefree like his name sake, Willie is affectionate and goofy. Willie has seen much of the Yukon Quest trail and will bring loads of experience to the team! |
WoodrowDOB: June 28, 2017 Sponsor:
Position: Team Weight: 60 pounds Litter Theme: Lonesome Dove Woodrow is the sensitive soul of the kennel. Sweet tempered Woodrow will greet you with a soft "yodel" and loves if you will sing back to him. He is most comfortable running in the middle to back of the team. In the team he is a strong dog with a lot of drive! |
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BaxterDOB: February 8, 2016
Position: Mascot & Official Greeter Weight: 60 pounds Litter Theme: Baxter State Park Baxter is the official greeter and mascot of YoopAK Kennel and Tours. Baxter joined the kennel at eight weeks old from a local musher. She is half Akita, half freight husky. She takes great pride in watching over the property and has no desire to work in a team setting. Instead she entertains the kids and works one-on-one for wood hauling. |
Juneau Icefield Pups
These sisters were born here in the kennel on October 18, 2019. They are the daughters of Baxter and show a great deal of promise for becoming future working dogs! The next year of their life will be about socializing, exploring the world, and enjoying puppyhood. Fall of 2020 they will get their first taste of trying on the harness and beginning their schooling in dog sledding.
Eagle
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Taku
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Glacier Pups
Born December 2019 and named after glacier features, Serac and Moulan are two outgoing, friendly girls. Half Malamute, half freight husky these girls have the makings of great future sled dogs. Like the Icefield sisters, Serac and Moulan will spend the next year enjoying being a puppy before their introductions to sled dog life begins next winter!
Moulan
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Serac
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