Kennel Life

Between the perspectives of the Trail Breaker Kennel and VHS, there are thousands of sled dogs who deserve the best life and thousands who don’t get that. 

A veterinarian’s job pertains to kennel visits as well as race checkpoints. Kennels have to give their dogs the standard care stated in the laws for sled dog and mushing facilities. Veterinarians do kennel visits where they examine the dogs and discuss nutrition, deworming programs, and health.

“All the kennels that we examine have to be run to sled dog veterinary care standards, and if they’re not, we work with the mushers to try and improve their conditions…We all have an obligation to make sure the dogs are treated humanely and if they’re not, we report them to the appropriate authorities,” Long said.

Section six of the kennel code states that euthanasia is used if a dog has a determined illness or injury that cannot be reversed to the point where the dog will be able to live a good life. Euthanasia is performed by a veterinarian or under veterinary supervision with the least possible pain, fear, and anxiety. If weather, geographic location, or rapid decline in medical conditions prevent it in a timely fashion, the use of firearms by trained personnel is acceptable. 

Multiple kennels in Canada have been discovered to disregard these requirements. Shutting down sled dog operations where dogs live in conditions unfit for their health could happen after an investigation following a complaint.

“Operators already going beyond the minimum regulations to meet their dogs’ needs and following the standards outlined in the kennel code would not be impacted by this change,” Archambault said.

Addressing those against sled dog racing, Handler suggests keeping an open mind and asking questions about what is right for the dog.

“We both want the dogs to be happy and healthy. But a really fat Siberian Husky sitting on somebody’s couch that’s never even touched grass before and is sitting in 90 degree weather is not ideal for that breed,” Handler said.

The kennel can put a dog in a harness and attach them to the line, but sometimes the dog runs with the team with a slackened line meaning they aren’t pulling. Handler’s point is that the kennel’s dogs aren’t forced to pull, but isolating them away from it is not the solution to stop sled dog abuse.

“When they show us that, we’re like okay cool, you’re telling us that you want to retire from the harness. We’ll give you a retired life. Be our couch dog. We would like snuggles,” Handler said.

The monetary prize of winning the Iditarod is $500,000 which isn’t even the cost it takes to care for a team of dogs and their gear for a year. 

“Mushing makes no money…it’s very much a labor of love,” Handler said.

VHS addresses the abusive sled dog kennels with this statement.

“It’s heartbreaking to see dogs pacing back and forth for hours…No dog should have to live like this,” Archambault said.