February 2012 Denali takes part in match night at our local club for show training, qualifying for 'Dog of the Year' beating 1 adult dog and a puppy after skipping puppy of the year.. WOW. Then goes in puppy class beating 7 other puppies then takes 'best puppy in match'. 2 rossettes and a trophy, excellent little pupster.
January 2012 We did extremely well in the Highlands of Scotland in Arden Grange sponsored Siberian Husky Club of GB sled dog rally. Coming 8th out of 21 strong teams! We have beaten all our previous run times, and are truly overwhelmed. We cannot thank Nicola and Stuart of the 'sledog' kennel for breeding our two youngest Alaskan Malamutes and for loaning 'Sofi' the prettiest most hardworking, determined Greenland Dog I have ever had the pleasure to run. Greenland Dogs have not been used in competition here for 8 years, and Sofi was the only one here this year. So we've a little bit of an impact on what these dogs are capable of. We then shot down to the Lake District to climb 'Dodd' as a treat for their hard work. Having Sofi travel with us for a week was an absolute pleasure and with all our dogs being socialised well with other dogs over the last 9 years, it was like she had always been involved in our pack. All sled dogs NEED this interaction with a lot of time and commitment, especially if you are interested in competing. You get what you put in, back on the trail and in your home. They are not easy. They are a life choice.
Early January 2012- Denali pupster gains his first obedience award. He has only attended 3 weeks out of an 8 week course, however, he still did everything asked for in his assessment. So he has a rosette from winning best puppy walk in show training at Scunthorpe Trent Dog Club and a puppy foundation obedience certificate from Broughton Dog Training Club. What a pup!!
December 2011- Mackenzie has a second go at weightpull, organised by the Alaskan Malamute Club of UK. Again he equals his last pull weight of 1400lb, meaning he now has 2 legs towards another title. Only 2 more to do and he can have more letters after his name.
October 2011- We have a new office dog! Little baby Denali our 3rd Alaskan Malamute. He is from good strong working lines from the UK Sledog kennel, through an artificial insemination from the Mountain Home kennel in America. His mum (Mackenzie's sister) is already a working pack dog. We have great hopes for a committed strong team member with good show prospects. Training has commenced for this seasons sled dog rallies and also Mackenzie's training for weight pull. Kinley our old girl, nearly 10, has the all clear from the vets after her recent operation to remove a cancerous tumor in her adrenaline gland, meaning she had the rare form of canine cushing's disease:- At this point we can thank Mackenzie for helping to diagnose the problem, which I cannot stress should not be over looked. He tried to mount her obsessively even though she is neutered.
Adrenal-based Hyperadrenocorticism: An adrenal tumor responsible for secreting too much cortisol. 50% of these are benign (adenomas), and 50% are malignant (adenocarcinomas) and are inclined to spread to the lungs and liver. Again, the interplay between pituitary and adrenal messages is lost, and the tumor keeps secreting too much cortisol irrespective of what the brain is telling it. 15% of Cushing's cases are adrenal-based. In these dogs, one adrenal gland tends to be extremely enlarged (due to the tumor and the overproduction of cortisol that goes with it), and the other tends to be extremely small (to try to compensate for the overactive larger one). Her symptoms were: loss of guard hair, bald patches, dark skin patches, excessive thirst (polydipsia), extreme appetite, unable to hold her urine, hair growth had stopped, pot bellied, loss of muscle on her rear end, looking 'cow hocked' and existing coat turning red. The following tests were carried out: ATCH and Stim testing, bloods and urine. ALL showing healthy results. It was only that Mackenzie insisted on mounting her and obsessive licking of her urine that showed an internal hormone fault. The Adrenealine gland tumors can secrete 23 different hormones NOT detectable by tests. Only on opening her up (after a healthy ultra scan) the tumor was found. This tumour has been removed and after plenty of tlc and a 7" and 5" scar she is recovering well. She's back on anti-biotics at the moment due to a allergic reaction to the internal stitches (that were under the staples) so these have been removed also.
September 2011- MacKenzie gains a 1st at Birmingham Championship Dog Show in Limit. Thankyou Jim Broadberry, he is now qualified for Crufts for life, and has a stud book number.
June 2011 -MacKenzie finishes his last leg of his Working Pack Dog qualification and is catching us up with his certificates of achievements. His final leg involved a 6 mile hike over the Lake District mountains, a camp over night, then a return trip down in the rain. Well done lad! We also took advantage of the stunning scenery and bagged 11 Wainwrights too. These dogs love the outside adventure and can happily hike for miles. He is now "Sledog Forest Mist WPD".
April 2011 - Mackenzie gains a stunning best of breed rosette being shown in Newark at an open dog show and has had a fantastic couple of days back packing in the Lake District. Going over the 'High street' summit, he gained his first leg of his back packing title. Well done to all dogs that have achieved this! Its far from easy carrying 3 days and 2 nights of equipment between you and your dog!
Jan 2011 - Were back from the isolated Cairngorm mountains, in the Scottish Highlands, after competing in the Arden Grange Siberian Husky club of Great Britains working rally. Our second year racing the dogs up there. MacKenzie worked his heart out over the 4 miles with his little malamute friend 'Nickle'. We came 8th out of 13 teams and raced on the dry land rigs not dog sleds like January 2011. Now we will be working towards our back packing titles to show his true ability on the hills, he loves to walk for hours on end, so im sure he will have the first leg plus some, by the end of the year.
2010 - Mackenzie gained 2nd place at Darlington Championship dog show in Postgraduate dog class. Hes done us proud in the show ring and has too many placing to list, and is also now gaining good placements in the sled dog rallies and sled dog events. His first Best of Breed rossette was won in May.
1st place in the Yearling dog class at the speciality Alaskan Malamute Club of the UK dog show, May 2009. Well done boy, beating 11 other serious contenders. Also this year he was placed at crufts 2009 in the Junior Dog class, coming 3rd. Well done Mackenzie, you qualified and showed your pants at crufts 2010.
The office dogs who keep us very occupied at all times. Little Mackenzie was at Crufts 2009 dog show after gaining many 'best puppys' and 3rd at the Alaskan Malamute Championship show 2008. He's also proving to be a very keen worker and will be competing in the next racing season. Kinley who also did very well during her show career is retired from the show ring, but loves to run, and may compete next season too.
Chilling at home and also MacKenzie competing in the Arden Range Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain dog sled rally in Aviemore 2010, 9th out of 17 teams, not bad for a first ever competition, and first run on the snow! running with 'Amber' from the Snobruk Alaskan malamute kennel. Two months later my sled dog team then came 2nd out of 8 teams on dry land at a Sherwood forest rally. Last photo both my Alaskan malamutes on the top of Scafell, Lake district national park, enjoying the summit. Very versitile and active dogs that need this stimulation and will be a lifestyle choice not just a pet!
Kinley doing agility...
Mackenzie happy in the ring..
Here at the Alaskan Malamute Open show 2008 he won his puppy dog class and then went on to win reserve best puppy in show. Best puppy went to his litter sister Aria. Well done furry kids. 2nd photo he came first in Yearling dog out of 11 dogs in the Alaskan Malamute speciality dog show May 09. Although we love to show our dogs, we continue to make sure they are always fit, active and healthy. The mountain hiking is our first love in which Kinley, 9 years now, has summitted: Scafell, Helvellyn (four times), Old man of coniston, High Street, Blencathra (twice), Skidaw, Great Gable & Pillar in the Lakes, Snowdon (three times), Glyder Fach and the black mountains in Wales.
MacKenzie is showing a love of the ten hour back packing hikes too, summitting Scafell, Helvellyn (twice) High Street (twice), Blencathra (twice), Snowdon (twice) & Glyder Fach in wales.