Meet 16 Adorable Sled Dogs Training For The 2019 Iditarod Who Have As Much Personality As Talent

Blair points out:

I’m starting to see personality patterns that will affect them this winter. It’s not just athleticism, although that’s a lot of it. Long-distance dogs need to rest well, to have an easy gait, and to EAT well.

Now, meet some of the hopeful (and adorable) sled dogs!

Pepe is our leader extraordinaire. Sets a fast pace, passes other teams easily, turns on a dime, always leaping to go forward. She used to have a poor appetite but is a much better eater now — plus, she’s raced the shorter Beargrease before.

Jenga’s my girl. Cranky, determined, and loyal. She’ll run forever and give you the stink eye when you ask her to stop. She either loves or hates everything — no middle ground. Surprisingly assertive. 

(Shown here with Pepe.)

Flame is so good at being a porch husky and chicken mama that I can almost forget she’s a badass sled dog to boot. She’s a solid team player and she’ll lead the other dogs through anything as long as you walk beside her.

Maggie is combative, wiggly af, and gnaws on human flesh. But put her in wheel (the position behind the rest of the team) and she will use every ounce of muscle in her short legs to run for-e-ver. Plus, she’s a great eater with a slow metabolism. Win-win!

A tenderhearted lead dog with great endurance and a passion for gentle nose kisses. She’s particularly good at befriending the yearlings and keeping them in line when they need extra guidance.

It’s weird to say, but Gabby’s the closest I’ve met to a dogsledding machine. She runs, she eats, she rests, she has a slow metabolism, she never stops working. She’s not even that into cuddles; they’re a distraction from her GOALS. Get it, girl.

Being blind has never stopped Hari from completely kicking ass; he once saved the whole team from a whiteout blizzard by sniffing out the trail. Plus, he’s been around the block. New challenges? No biggie. Hari’s got this in the bag.

Hari’s sister Refried has ridiculous endurance and the best attitude of any dog (or person) I’ve ever met. First mile of the run? She sings. Five hundredth mile of the run? She sings. She brings happiness to all of us when we need it most.

Xander’s a member of Team Axe Body Spray (our nickname for the team’s current horde of teenage boys) but he has the maturity of a great-grandfather and the buoyant cheer of his aunt Refried.

The most well-rounded pup in the journalist litter (Jenga’s babies). He’s big, strong, a hearty eater, and somehow skipped out on his brothers’ anxiety about strangers. Gets along with everyone and always up for new adventures.

A late bloomer, nice medium size and stocky build, with thick fur and ridiculous good looks. Clem is always agreeable and loves meeting new people. He’s what mushers call an “honest dog,” which is our highest possible praise.

Blair explains that the next batch of dogs are strong maybes:

Ok, those are the dogs I think are almost certain to make my Iditarod-qualifier team. Here are a few maybes. (And remember, not making the team doesn’t mean they won’t run or race! Just that they’ll be on a different track for training this year.)

You may know Spike from his extraordinarily large head, but did you know he’s also a lead-dog-in-training? He’s huge, which means it takes longer for him to build endurance, but so far he’s keeping pace with enthusiasm to spare.

Another member of Team Axe Body Spray, Boo is as scrawny as Spike is huge. He has thin fur but he’s a good eater; his size means that he doesn’t add much power to the team, but he can keep running almost indefinitely.

Matt Power’s got the athleticism and buoyant attitude, but it’s been almost impossible to help him gain weight, even after we neutered him. If he can gain weight he’ll make the team this year; if not, we’ll hope his metabolism slows as he gets older.

Representing our teenage girls! Hunter’s a lot like her mom, Jenga: she’s determined, suspicious, and brilliant. She’s shy off-leash but instantly bold when she gets in harness. Not spayed yet, so her heat cycle might affect her racing.

Gentle giant Brewtus (in lead, left) is the steadiest dog I’ve met: he trots at 9 mph, no faster and no slower. We’ll have to gauge weather conditions to see how he’ll fit with the team at that pace. He’s also conservative and prefers trails he already knows.

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