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 from

In Finland, especially in Lapland, the term husky farm has become common in both tourism marketing and everyday language. Guests are often invited to “visit a husky farm.” But the truth is, this term is a mistranslation that stuck.

In Finnish, the word tarha is used. It loosely means yard, enclosure, or even garden. When husky tourism first began in Finland, translators struggled to find a good English equivalent. Calling it a garden or yard didn’t make sense, and somewhere along the way farm was chosen. Over time, it became the accepted expression.

But this is misleading. A farm is a place where animals are raised for milk, meat, or other agricultural products. In the case of dogs, the word farm carries uncomfortable associations with “puppy farms.” That is not who we are, nor what we do.

What a kennel really means

Bearhill is a kennel. A kennel is a place where dogs live, are bred responsibly, and are trained for their work. Historically, kennels were an integral part of working life: lords and ladies kept hunting kennels for their hounds, while farmers had kennels for their herding dogs. A kennel was – and still is – the home and workplace of working dogs.

This definition fits us perfectly. Our dogs are not “farmed.” They are our partners, bred, trained, and cared for to do what they were meant to do: pull sleds, run trails, and thrive in the Arctic wilderness. Calling our home a kennel honors this tradition and gives proper respect to the dogs and their work.

Respect for dogs, respect for language

For us, the word kennel carries a sense of pride and respect. It acknowledges the dogs as skilled working animals, not livestock. It acknowledges us as their caretakers and trainers, not farmers.

We are proud to welcome visitors to Bearhill Kennel. Here, guests meet our dogs, see how they live and work, and experience the joy of dog sledding in the wilderness. It is an identity that feels true to us, one that shows respect for the animals, the staff, and the culture we are building together.

Of course, even we occasionally slip up and say farm out of habit, and our staff are quick to tease us when we do. But we keep correcting ourselves, because words matter. They shape how people see us and, more importantly, how they see the dogs.

So if you come to visit us, remember: you are not visiting a farm. You are visiting a kennel. A place where dogs live, work, and are loved.