Raising sled dogs at Denali National Park

As Conor Knighton discovered in Alaska's Denali National Park, sled dogs are a significant part of the park's 100-year-old legacy.

[@elijahhiltebrand5921]

All I can tell the people hating on this video is to go in person and actually see what the dogs are like, I personally have never seen an unhappy sled dog, and they are taken out sometimes multiple times a day, the chains are also designed so that they can run as much as they want without reaching other dogs, as to avoid accidental fighting. The dogs also love to run, and whenever you bring a sled out, they don’t run away or cry or anything, they all jump towards it and are happy to run as far and as fast as possible. There are a few people who don’t treat their dogs well, but most people that I’ve ever met always put the dogs comfort before their own, so there you go, get some experience before you make a full opinion on something

[@Phoebe907]

Elijah Hiltebrand As someone who lives in Alaska, and was born and raised here, I haven’t found this to be the case. I frequent the local animal shelters and dozens among dozens of sled dogs are dropped off because of various reasons. Often times they are severely malnourished. The shelter even told me that they are just happy for the mushers that do drop the dogs off after they have no use for them anymore, as so many of them shoot them once the dog can no longer race. It’s a disgusting industry.

[@woohooo7634]

@@Phoebe907 Yeah, I'm indigenous Siberian, from the Chukchi tribe (The Chukchi were the original breeders and creators of the Siberian Husky. We are from the far, far, east almost touching Alaska) not even we sled our dogs this hard. Our ancestors wouldn't use the dogs like this. The hunting spots were 45 minutes away at maximum. Of course, the non-natives are ruining this practice. It's not even supposed to be a sport. In far eastern Siberian cultures, the relationship between a tribesman and his dog is sacred. It is considered taboo to treat your dogs badly. Dogs were seen as the protectors of children and hunters. An old Chukchi proverb goes: "The way a man treats his dogs, decides whether he will reach heaven." I get frustrated when I see dogs being worked this hard. I ALWAYS hear that "it's in their dna" or something like that. It most certainly IS NOT. They weren't made to carry some 200lbs guy around for 3 hours.

[@jmcanlis3875]

Had a Husky mix show up on my farm one evening and after having no success on finding her owner decided to keep her. Our vet said unfortunately people don’t realize the energy in huskies and it’s common for them to just drop them off somewhere to get rid of them. Glad we have 400+ acres because she loves to run! Was amazed by her natural instinct to lead. Although I live in PA and have no dog sled she leads me on runs while I follow her on my Polaris ranger. She is definitely happiest when she’s on a run!

[@owencutler4094]

Found this video after reading Knighton's memoir. He said this was the most adorable interview of his life, so I had to check it out!

[@TheChromePoet]

The first puppy should be named glasses for obvious reasons.

[@natplatt1642]

I watched those little puppies grow up on the live stream!!

[@pkrangersf3072]

We're glad you enjoy the Party Litter from the live stream! ~Seasonal NPS Ranger

[@ilikecowzplays778]

My name is Denali Campbell and I legit just moved from Kodiak in Alaska three to four months ago I'm in North Carolina now I really miss Kodiak tho..and I was named after the mountain

[@kungfuman82]

My thoughts in the first minute: GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

[@R11C0_3]

What's the name of that buggie they were using for the summer?

[@HenningCA]

It's an Arctis Cart: facebook.com/arctiscarts/

[@jasonhutchins9239]

Just a cart for pulling google dog sled cart

[@shelbyindianajones3226]

my friend calls and says i must come get a pup. get there and pure happiness 9 seven week old huskies on the porch. at that age they look like minature adults . got 2, could hold one in each hand... a year later have 2 of the best friends in the world, Aleutia and Valkyrie. just remember if you get one they will take off so mine are harnessed and chipped. you cannot just let them run around loose without training

[@ThatHuskyisCrazy]

The mama dog's color is like Pani's.

[@abhishekshukla9542]

Togo

[@christinahinson8832]

These dogs love to run. I have 2 Siberian Huskies in Florida.. and they hate the heat, they have 2 coast and are breed to do this.. jeezus people some animals aren't big babys like humans...they love this stuff, your bleeding hearts are not wanted when it come to these dogs..

[@woohooo7634]

I'm indigenous Siberian, from the Chukchi tribe (The Chukchi were the original breeders and creators of the Siberian Husky. We are from the far, far, east almost touching Alaska) not even we sled our dogs this hard. Our ancestors wouldn't use the dogs like this. The hunting spots were 45 minutes away at maximum. Of course, the non-natives are ruining this practice. It's not even supposed to be a sport. In far eastern Siberian cultures, the relationship between a tribesman and his dog is sacred. It is considered taboo to treat your dogs badly. Dogs were seen as the protectors of children and hunters. An old Chukchi proverb goes: "The way a man treats his dogs, decides whether he will reach heaven." I get frustrated when I see dogs being worked this hard. I ALWAYS hear that "it's in their dna" or something like that. It most certainly IS NOT. They weren't made to carry some 200lbs guy around for 3 hours.

[@MrLcgman]

more like RAISIN sleddogs LOL

[@marciamcgrail5889]

I think some of those dogs are being run lame...or footsore, at least. Is no-one onto that?

[@georgiegingersnap8129]

@Vivianna Mason - 2025 No one, and I mean NO ONE can make a Husky do ANYTHING it doesn't want to do. I've had huskies, and they're like their own sub-species of human, only friendlier, and harder-working. They're addicted to snow and snow-running. Believe me, the dogs run the humans' lives. But the love is very mutual.

[@kaytlinjustis5643]

That's why the law for the Iditarod race is to have 'shoes' and jackets for each dog. As it is separate teams running the entire race (the historical race had several teams bringing the medicine to Nome). Looked it up years back; they want the dogs and sled drivers safe, and there WILL be severe consequences should anyone mistreat their teams. Vets check on them every checkpoint, but it's up to the drivers to officially decide whether or not to stop at a certain checkpoint. The whole thing was mildly confusing at first, but they have safety in mind.

[@tanyatuell231]

This is a puppy mill and pro dog racing promo.

[@SitaraAleu]

Lol, you've never even seen a puppy mill. No, it's not. I've cleaned out a puppy mill after it was shut down. This is NOT a puppy mill. These dogs are well cared for and live great lives. You're a troll who clearly doesn't get out much

[@rolo6932]

This is not a puppy mill!

[@jasonhutchins9239]

Youre a puppy mill

[@fbksfrank4]

They would lose every race, they’re freight dogs.

[@tanyatuell231]

Are you kidding me? Those dogs chained out there like that is ok? No it isn't.

[@ragingriversiberians7542]

Two comments and all negative? Really? These dogs are bred for this purpose. Also about them being chained outside, they are huskies, they're bred for the rough weather. Search the history of Siberian huskies and educate yourself. I have 3 Siberian huskies, all bought from Siberian husky breeders, 2 are sled dogs and one is a sled dog in training. My oldest was just at the vet and they praised me for her perfect condition. They love to run and they love to work. If you don't put them to work and give them an outlet for their energy they'll tear your house apart. WOULD YOU want 20+ dogs inside the house. These dogs SHED. Mine shed 24/7/365 whether it's 90 degrees in the summer or -20 in the winter. PETA and other organizations make it look like these dogs are "tortured" when in reality, look how happy they are when they run. My dogs get excited to pull every single time. So instead of jumping to conclusions why don't you do actual research that isn't biased by PETA.

[@WarriorCats30]

Tanya Tuell idiot..

[@cowpoke02]

true . better horses . they also get to run every where and go places ,, many have fenced in yards . if ya have less you can let em free more . they probably like ti run and not come back. lol.

[@madcity2658]

No, they're an arctic dog they'll be fine poor dog is the one live in apartment in florida

[@jaisapara]

and these dogs would be better stuck inside and bored to death instead of doing what their very biological makeup is designed for? do some research. they're huskies. alaskan weather is like nothing to them.