How we take care of our family of huskies

The dogs are at the heart of everything we do.

They are not simply sled dogs. They are our family, our colleagues and an important part of our everyday lives. Their health, happiness and well-being will always come before the experience we offer our guests. We believe that a good dog sledding experience starts with dogs that are healthy, confident and genuinely enjoy what they do.

A husky life is more than a life in front of the sled

Our dogs are part of our and Tommy's lives all year round — not just during the winter season. We spend time with them every day, getting to know their individual personalities, needs and preferences. Some dogs are born to run. Others are more interested in cuddles and attention. Just like people, every dog is different and have different needs. We respect those differences and never expect every dog to do the same thing.

Small groups make good welfare for our dogs

 

We deliberately keep our tours small, with a maximum of 8 guests.This is important to us for more than just creating a personal experience for our visitors. Smaller groups mean a calmer environment around the kennel and more days for the dogs to rest. Just like you and I the dogs also need to have the weekend off.

It also gives us more time to look after our dogs properly and to make sure that every dog participating in an activity is comfortable and fit for the job.

Every dog is an individual

 

Before a dog takes part in a tour, we consider factors such as age, fitness, health, experience and how the dog is feeling that day. Our dogs do not run every day. We always schedule days off for them every week. 

If a dog needs a rest day, gets tired or simply is not in the mood, that is perfectly okay. Our dogs do not have to earn their place here. They are part of our family regardless of whether they are running in front of a sled or relaxing at the kennel.

Training with care

 

Sled dogs are athletes, and like any athlete, they need appropriate training, recovery and care. Our dogs are gradually introduced to running and learn to work as a team at a pace that suits them.

We pay close attention to their physical condition and behaviour and adjust their workload accordingly. Rest and recovery are just as important as training.

Veterinary care

 

All of our dogs are receiving the vaccinations needed and all have a health certificate. Our local veterinary regularly comes to visit our kennel as well as we are subject to unannounced inspections by the Norwegian Animal Health Authorities. The dogs are our family and their health and wellbeing is our upmost priority.

Caring for our dogs every day

 

Good dog welfare is not only about what happens during a tour. It is about everything we do, every day.

That means providing:

• High-quality food and fresh water
• Regular health checks and veterinary care
• Exercise and mental stimulation
• Rest and recovery
• Safe and suitable living conditions
• Social interaction
• Individual attention
• Training suited to each dog
• Plenty of time to simply be a dog

When our females are in heat they are kept in seperate pens. This is to ensure responsible breeding and a calmer dog yard when the heat periods are on. We only breed for our kennel and not for sale. 

We know our dogs

 

One of the advantages of being a small kennel is that we know our dogs personally. We know who loves attention. We know who is always ready to run. We know who prefers a quiet day. And we know when something is not quite right.

This close relationship helps us make responsible decisions about when a dog should run, rest or simply spend the day enjoying life at the kennel.

Our guests are part of this

 

When you visit Kvaløya Adventure, we want you to see the dogs as individuals — not just as a team pulling a sled. We encourage our guests to learn about their personalities and understand what life is like for a working sled dog. We are happy to answer questions about our dogs, how they are trained and how we care for them. Because the more you know about sled dogs, the more you can appreciate just how special they are.

Our promise

Our goal is simple: Healthy dogs. Happy dogs. Responsible adventures.

We will always put the well-being of our dogs first, even when that means changing a plan, reducing their workload or giving a dog the day off.

For us, responsible dog sledding means listening to the dogs, respecting their individual needs and making sure they enjoy the life they lead. Because when our dogs are happy, we are happy too. And that is the kind of experience we want to share with you.