About Our Family of Huskies

The Siberian Husky and Alaskan Husky are well-known and popular dogsledding breeds. Siberians have thick coats with a second layer of fur underneath which keep them warm in conditions many others dogs could not tolerate. The Chukchi people of Siberia bred Siberian Huskies for thousands of years to be their working dogs and also their companions. Their Sibes often shared their home, played with their children and sometimes slept with them to help keep them warm at night. Hence the term: “Three Dog Night.” Here's a few tidbits about our "Brazen Huskies!"

“CZAR”… also known as “The Big Man Around Campus” is our senior Sibe and he knows it. At eleven years old, Czar can do just about anything he wants~ except jump on his doghouse! He has the thickest coat, the shortest legs, and the deepest howl. We are amazed everyday as we watch him enjoying his second -childhood playing with his toys. He’s an expert puppy trainer and loves to romp with his son, Buzz.

“BUZZ” who received the full name, courtesy of our grandson, “Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue Puppy," isn't really a puppy anymore at two years old. But don’t be fooled~ this guy refuses to be left behind when we go for a run. He sprints next to an older dog while learning the ropes and training to be a leader. No other dog can play good enough or long enough for him. “Buzz Light” is the son of our oldest master Siberian, Czar.

“MICKEY” who is 3 years old, looks like a baby mouse in a kennel full of huskies. Our tiniest Sibe of all—she proves herself by pulling harder and jumping higher than anyone. At about 37 pounds, she doubles as a lapdog, and always acts like one. As small as she is, Mickey has learned, however, to be heard—howling louder then her brothers Blackie and Trapper.

”ZSA-ZSA” wants nothing else in life but to run in front of the pack. (Errr. add sleep on our bed to that.) She’s our best lead dog and will practically do backflips if you ask her to. She's an Alaskan Husky, only seven years old, but has the calmness and wisdom of a senior. Quiet and serene when she’s being harnessed to the sled, Zsa-Zsa will shoot forward at the word “Hike” and never stop. She’s our most famous dog, being a direct descendent from Libby Riddles’ kennel in Alaska (first woman to win the Iditarod.) She's also the alpha dog of the entire yard. (Yes, a female!)

"SMOKEY” is about 5 years old, is the silliest pup to ever romp in a kennel. When its dinnertime, actually anytime for that matter, he grabs his bowl and plays with it for hours. Every morning we awaken to the sounds of Smokey's toenails tapping on his stainless-steel bowl! Because water doesn't seem to want to stay in... this dog gets a second "play bowl" to bat around. Smokey has a distinctive black arrow on his nose, which is shared to a lesser degree by his half-siblings Blackie and Mickey.

“BLACKIE” also known as “Wackie-Blackie,” is a three-year-old Siberian that does best running in wheel (last) position trying to catch up with the females. He shows off his good looks by prancing, dancing and, of course, telling hilarious jokes. His brother and sister, Trapper and Mickey, don’t mind a bit for they know they can pull just as strong.

“TRAPPER” looks dapper and surely is a yapper. Never seeming to quiet down, he can yip, howl, and whine for hours until you give him those beloved belly rubs. At 3 years old, YappieTrappie loves to run anywhere in the team but lead. Be careful taking a picture with this guy—he’ll lick you and the camera.

“FROSTBITE” or Frostey for short. He's perfectly described as our “Gentle Giant.” One of the biggest huskies in the clan, yet the most quiet and loving. Mostly Malamute, and strong as an ox, Frostey will lead the team on a great run or happily work from the wheel (last in line) position. He’s seven years old and an uncle to three other kennel mates. He always gazes up at you with his “I just knew you loved me the best” look. His unique eyes grace the top of these web pages.

“NELLIE” is our shelter sleddog… rescued from a shelter in Alaska. She’s about six now and shows her stuff around the kennel by teasing all the males. Nellie will sit with her back to you (in a huff) when she decides she’s been ignored too long. She’s one of the smallest dogs in the yard, but one of the smartest, especially when she runs. Because of her ceaseless exuberance, she’s earned the nickname “Whoa Nellie.”

“BANDIT" is our very thick-furred, cuddly, fearless and monstrous leader of a Siberian. He's six years old and just now getting to be his best. Throw him a treat and he can catch it mid-air at five feet above his head. It takes allot to be a good leader, and Bandit's got it. He tries to lead us to China and back! He and Oreo share a claim to fame... to find out, read on!

“THUNDER” is a sweet, loving female Alaskan Husky who will roll flat on her back for belly rubs -- when you just look at her! Although young (3 years) and small of stature, her convincing howl has earned her the loud name. She'll sing (for more attention) to any visitor. She's in deep doggy-love with Oreo and Bandit. Her doggie-Daddio is Bandit, above.

"OREO” who is also 3 years old, cannot figure out how he got his name. (Can you?) Besides that, he told me that he's so very glad his name is not "Iggy." He's a long, lean, running-machine of an Alaskan Husky who will trade autographs for kisses. He and Bandit are famous... they appeared on the David Letterman show (winter 2005) pulling a dogsled down 47th Ave in Manhattan!

"IGGY" resembles a golden furry wiggly-piggy ...but that's not how he got his name. When he whines (loudly) for belly scratches, I look around the dog yard for a loose goose 'cause he sounds exactly like one! He goose calls. This guy is six, just like his littermate, Bandit, and has the same body shape. Because he's so beautiful, most folks think he's a girl (don't tell him that.) Ig runs best in wheel or team position, especially next to Oreo.

“JAG” is short for Jaguar. And no, she wasn't named after the (big) cat! Nor was she named after the luxury auto. And not after a legal-dynamo either. Her previous owners named a litter of pups after pro sports teams. Go ahead and test your sports-team knowledge. (Hint: her siblings go by Raider, Charger, Eagle, Ram, Colt, etc.) Jag is a fantastic lead dog-- calm, under control, smart and born-to-run (and with elegant long legs.). She's a smaller sized, lean racing Siberian machine just over five years old who came to us from "Snostorm Siberians" racing kennels.

“COLT” you guessed it... is Jag's brother. He's also a great leader-- we are so fortunate to have them. They are both light-as-a-feather compared to many of our other pups for they were bred to race against the best purebred dogsled teams in America. (The smaller the dog's body, the more efficient the transfer of built-up heat.) Colt, of course, is aware he does not resemble a horse or a revolver. Or, an old compact car for that matter. He came from Indiana, home of the Indiana Colts.

“CHARGER” as you must know by now, this boy is named after a ball team. He's Jag and Colt's brother... but much longer in the body and the snout. There's no way to leave this guy behind when you go for a dogsledding run-- or when you just walk by for that matter. He's all about work and love-- and love and work. Kind of like my husband (when he's good.) He and his siblings are AKC registered-- but not show dogs by any means. They're Siberian SLEDDOGS and they know it!

"INDY" (Indy-A-Go-Go) also came from Indiana (go figure) along with Jag and Colt. He's not a sibling... as you can guess by the name. About two years old, Indy, who I really wanted to name SPOT instead, joins our other "almost adult" pups in working hard and frolicking hard. His coat is called a "piebald" with it's unusual markings... similar to a pinto pony. (He should be the one named Colt.) Little Mr. Indy-A-Go-Go-Spot can easily jump up and land squarely in your arms... and does this way too often. When he sleeps, all stretched out on his house, melted chocolate chip ice cream comes to mind.

"DENALI” .... oh boy, Denali! She and Gunny will surely steal your heart. Puppies can get no cuter than these two Sibes, who are littermates born in April 2005. We have no doubt this beautiful girl is destined to be a leader of merit--she's always first in everything they do... especially mischief! She and Gunny have the same Mom as Buzz... a red colored Sibe (believe it or not).

”GUNNY” is a nickname for "Shotgun." He and his (much smaller) pup sister Denali flew to us from their home in Alaska last summer at just 12 weeks old. They love it here-- especially because they have each other to wrestle with all day. Problem is, they grow bigger every single minute! This boy just sort of expoloded one day... he's already the biggest dog in our kennel now. You should see what BIG plus PUPPY acts like.