1 Week Puppy Update

1 week old Hedlund pups.

The Cranberry/McKenzie puppies are now one week old and as healthy as can be. As you can see, they are all very uniformly gray and white except for the blonde girl on the end. Interesting how Points Unknown has two blonde Hedlund Huskies........... Maybe this is a sign of things (a pup) to come?

Of course, coloring and markings are not what makes a good sled dog. In time, their personalities will begin to blossom, their coat type will be more apparent and their overall "build" will take a little better form than just a cute little blob of puppy. From all of this, pups will be carefully matched to the appropriate home and kennel situation. We will wait patiently to see which pup will be selected for a Journey from Alaska to Points Unknown.

Canicross Hike; Willow River State Park

Canicross Hiking

Willow River Falls

Conan decided that in the water was the best place to be.

Bugsy and team.

The Points Unknown Canicross Hiking Club met at Willow River State Park, near Hudson, Wisconsin over the weekend. The weather was perfect for a hike with temps around 80 degrees with sunny skies. There was even just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs away.

The hike began along the river in a low area with a gradual ascent through the woods to an open meadow surrounded by forest. Once back into the woods and along the river again, there were two look-outs that viewed the river and vast landscape below.

After the second look-out, we began the steep descent to the rocky "canyon" bottom and the waterfall; a large and scenic waterfall with rock walls on either side. This was the perfect spot for a long stop so both people and canine team members could take a lunch break and relax near or in the water.

After our much needed break, we continued on past the waterfall to an opening in the woods where a lake-like enlargement of the river could be seen and we rested for a short time, enjoying the scenery while the dogs played in the water. Deciding to turn back at this point, we took a side trail to visit the opposite bank of the river for a different, yet still spectacular, view of the waterfall before continuing on to the trail head.

We had five "teams" in attendance. The dogs included two Alaskan Huskies, one Hedlund Husky, one Collie/Husky Cross and one German Shepherd. The hike lasted roughly 3 1/2 hours. I think its safe to say that all canine and people participants slept well that night.

All Grown Up!

12 week old Phoenix

Phoenix at 19 months.

One of the joys of having traditional sled dogs is watching them grow up to be well rounded, hard working adult dogs.

When Phoenix was 9 weeks old, he and his brother, Niwot, were flown to Denver, Colorado from Anchorage, Alaska. They spent the next couple of weeks with Sandy, friend and Points Unknown instructor, and her husband Mark, until it was time for Sandy to make her way to Minnesota for the 2006 Points Unknown Women's Winter Adventure season. Phoenix and Niwot spent that winter being fawned over and attended to by every participant, as taking care of the puppies was one of the necessary daily tasks.

Phoenix began his sled dog training very slowly with a leash hooked to the back of his tiny puppy harness at the age of 12 weeks, taking "walks" from the cabin to the truck and back, which was nearly one mile each way. Since puppies have very short attention spans and training should always be made fun, he didn't spend the entire walk "working". Lots of stops were made to enjoy playing in the snow drifts and with the treasures he would find along the way.

When Phoenix was 6 months old he was hooked into the team for the first time and placed next to a hard working and strict teacher, Sweet Pea. These few runs were under a mile. Phoenix was such a hard puller, he needed to be monitored so he wouldn't overexert himself and his tug line had to be detached on our return trips as he was pulling too hard for his still maturing frame.

At 10 months of age we began fall training and he was in the team on shorter runs, under 6 miles in length. It took him a while to learn to pace himself and not give 110% during the entire run. By the winter, he had matured enough and had enough experience on little runs, that pacing himself became easier.

Leader training for Phoenix began slowly at 10 months of age. He was placed in lead with Zulu, the magnificent, who began to teach him the proper lead dog etiquette. Phoenix acted as though he was made to be a lead dog by being so cool and calm for such a young dog. His leader training was intermittent so as not to stress him. He spent most of the winter of 2006-2007 in point position, behind the leaders.

Recently, Phoenix was given his first try at one on one leader training in the form of canicross hiking. Being around other dogs who already know this skill, made it easy for him to pick up the finer points of the sport. Speaking as the person behind the tug line on this day, I have to say that he now needs to learn that when pulling one person on foot, the power he applied can be diminished by about 90%. My sore legs will thank him. He picked up on "gee over" quickly and that is where the training stopped. One new situation and one new command is all he needed to deal with for that day.

This winter, in the team, he will be placed up in lead with a now 11 year old Zulu, with the hopes that Zulu can pass along everything he knows about being a magnificent lead dog, to the greenhorn to make the musher's training job a little easier.

First Puppy Picture

McKenzie/Cranberry pups - 2 days old

The Litter has Arrived!

McKenzie, sire of current Hedlund Husky litter

Cranberry, dam of current Hedlund Husky litter.

Points Unknown has been anxiously awaiting the birth of the Cranberry and McKenzie Hedlund Husky litter out of Knik, Alaska. On May 31, 2007 five pups were born; four females and one male. In August, we will travel to Alaska to pick up the female pup that will expand our current freight dog lines.

McKenzie is a deep line Hedlund Husky with Kim Fitzgerald of Mush Knik Networking. Kim is responsible for beginning the preservation efforts for this rare line of Alaskan Husky some 17 years ago and more recently, founding the Hedlund Husky Preservation Project. McKenzie is one of the most spectacular males that has come out of her breeding efforts. He has an excellent work ethic, is very intelligent, has exceptional conformation and an extremely mellow temperament.

Cranberry joined Kim in 2006. She is an Alaska bush trapline dog that enjoys working and has a well rounded and laid back temperament and excellent conformation. Cranberry was carefully selected to be added to our Hedlund line breeding program. Both Cranberry and McKenzie have wonderfully dense coats and are long legged with rangy builds. This pup will be a welcome and exciting addition to the Points Unknown kennel.

A Nice Day to Play

Ilu making sure I got the shot.

Bazil

Isis contemplates the Poppy.

Amaruq taking a dip in the pool.

Sweet Zulu

Dog Yard Helper

Melanie brushing Phoenix.

Icoa doesn't waste any time asking for a tummy rub.

Ilu and Melanie.

Ilu the lap dog.

Points Unknown is fortunate enough to have the very best dog yard helper/dog handler. Sixteen year old Melanie, in addition to helping with numerous fall and winter dog activities, comes out every other weekend to help with the never ending dog yard chores, after her job at a local veterinary clinic.

The arrival of Spring meant kennel clean up and the moving of dirt around in kennels to fill holes. Shade cloth for the dogs was hung and kennel repairs were made. Straw was cleaned out of dog houses and kennels were raked. Kennels and dog houses were sprayed with a mild solution of bleach and water to remove some of the smell and to help eliminate ground parasites. Toenails were clipped, if needed. Heartworm medicine was administered for the first time this season. And all dogs were given their spring wormer.

Shedding season recently began and the brushing chores are in full force. Each dog requires daily brushing until done shedding. The backyard takes on the appearance of a winter wonderland as the blanket of undercoat spreads and rests atop the grass. Providing their undercoat is a way the dogs contribute to the bird population in the backyard, as we find many bird nests made from twigs and dog hair.

Every few days, the dog "pools" are emptied and filled with fresh water. On a weekly basis, they are scrubbed free of the accumulated algae. 65 gallon sheep tanks make perfect hard surface dog pools that are located in most of the kennels and in the play areas. Water buckets require more frequent scrubbing and water is changed every day. Feeding takes place twice a day and all get out to play in groups on a daily basis.

All of the work required to have a life with sled dogs is balanced by the rewards of having many adventures with them on the trail as a group as well as those special one on one moments with each dog in training, canicrossing, packing or just hanging out in the dog yard. I'm glad our helper also thinks so.