The day I parked a snowmobile in a tree Early Days in Kontiovaara Back when Veronika and I were just getting started with the kennel in Kontiovaara, Lieksa, we had about 250 km of trails to keep in shape. Money was tight, so when it came to equipment, we had to make do with what…
Why we are a kennel, not a farm At Bearhill, we often get asked why we insist on calling ourselves a kennel rather than a farm. The difference might sound small, but to us it is important. It reflects who we are, what we do, and how we respect our dogs. Where “Husky Farm” comes…
What is the best time to visit Lapland? – Discover Spring Winter in Rovaniemi One of the questions we get all the time is: When is the best time to visit Lapland? The short answer: it depends. Each season in the Arctic brings its own kind of magic. In this series, we’re sharing what each…
Project RePaw: Nooa – From nervous sled dog to soulmateIn this series of blog articles we will tell the stories of those dogs that have already found their new forever home through our Project RePaw. They may be part of a smaller hobby team, they may be living their best couch life or they may…
Gazik – The Dog Who Taught Me Calm Some dogs are easy to work with. They come into your kennel, figure out the routine, bond with people, run well in harness, and just get on with it. But others … others are more complicated. More guarded. More sensitive. And sometimes, it’s those dogs – the…
Who’s the Boss? The Alpha Theory Myth! One question we get asked a lot at the kennel is, “Who’s the alpha?” People are often convinced that in every dog group, there has to be a boss dog, a dominant male and female calling the shots, keeping everyone in line. But the truth is: there is…
How Charlie Charmed His Way Into Finland A little while ago, I went looking for some new blood for the kennel, fresh genetics to bring into the team. One piece of advice I’ve often heard from other mushers is this: “If you want strong genetics, don’t just follow the kennels that win races. Look at…
The Time I Lost My Sled But Gained a Friend I’m gonna tell a story about the time that I lost my sled but gained a friend. Now one of the cardinal rules of dog driving is: do not let go. Under any circumstance. Whatever happens, you don’t let go of your sled. The reason…
The Day the Kota Burned Down and How Chimney Got His Name February in Lapland is always busy. The days are cold, the dogs are running strong, and guests from all over the world arrive to experience the magic of sled dog tours. But on one particular day in February 2024, we had an adventure…
Why sled dogs wear booties (and why mushers go through thousands every year) Today we want to talk a little about booties – those small pieces of fabric that sled dogs often wear on their feet. They might look simple, but for a musher, they’re an essential tool to keep dogs running healthy, strong, and…