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September, 2021 update
The kennels staff will use a whiteboard in the puppy pen to mention any notable events, like if a feeding is planned for a certain time. Keep in mind that Alaska Standard Time is four hours behind Eastern.
Meet the Pups
NPS Photos Lower row, left to right: Apollo, Sage, Blitz, Boomer About the NamesKennels staff chose to honor the hero dogs from 9/11 on its 20th Anniversary and named the puppies after eight of the roughly 300 dogs who aided in search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero and the Pentagon. The new members of the sled dog team are named Apollo, Blitz, Merlyn, Jolie, Boomer, Sage, Dargo, and Gus. As our park’s visitors watch these puppies grow into hard working adults and interact with them throughout their careers here, we hope that these names will honor the memory of not only the search and rescue dogs, but of the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and handlers that responded without hesitation in America’s time of need. We hope these names serve as a reminder of how strong we felt as a nation when we came together and supported one another. 
Courtesy Candy Waugaman Collection More Than CuteMushing is a cultural tradition across Alaska that dates back many thousands of years. It also provides the National Park Service the most effective available means to patrol vast areas of designated Wilderness during the long winter season. Managers of the historic Denali sled dog kennels take great care in breeding for qualities suitable for the challenges and responsibilities of a Denali sled dog. Physical traits include long legs to break trail through deep snow, compact paws to resist build up of ice between toes, and sturdy coats and puffy tails to keep warm in the depths of sub-arctic winter. Character traits include tenacity, an unbridled love to pull and run as part of a team, and social skills that tolerate attention of many thousands of admirers to visit the kennels each summer. |
Last updated: September 10, 2021