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Turning Heads Kennel

Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

The Sled Dogs

Meet Our Sled Dogs

Our dogs are our best friends, our team mates, and our family. We enjoy spending time with them not only out on the trail dog mushing but also at our home in Seward, Alaska. When they aren’t busy pulling sleds, we enjoy taking our canine family out hiking or letting them run loose in the yard. We take great pride in the fact that we are able to turn all fifty of our sled dogs loose at once to let them play together — sometimes a brave cat or two will even join in on the fun.

We work hard to make sure our sled dogs have the opportunity to enjoy fun activities besides mushing. We have recently made improvements to our home to easily allow our dogs to come in, relax with us, and to be dogs. We believe that good socialization skills are a key to any sled dogs success and work hard to have happy, well adjusted dogs.

Copper

Although now retired, Copper’s offspring now play a valuable role in our team. This older dog still gets peppy every time he gets to run or he watched the other dogs get hooked up.

Copper

Although now retired, Copper’s offspring now play a valuable role in our team. This older dog still gets peppy every time he gets to run or he watched the other dogs get hooked up.

Dolly

This bright little lady loves running up front at the head of the team, showcasing her intelligence and drive. Strong and determined in the team, Dolly is sweet, docile, and a giant cuddle bug anywhere else!

Dolly

This bright little lady loves running up front at the head of the team, showcasing her intelligence and drive. Strong and determined in the team, Dolly is sweet, docile, and a giant cuddle bug anywhere else!

Coda

This spunky hard headed boy finished his first Iditarod in 2016 and continues to work on his skills as a lead dog. Tenacious and loving, Coda is great at melting hearts!

Coda

This spunky hard headed boy finished his first Iditarod in 2016 and continues to work on his skills as a lead dog. Tenacious and loving, Coda is great at melting hearts!

Athena

Being named after the Goddess of War and Wisdom sure was fitting for this hard working girl. Athena doesn’t know what stop looks like. Even at the end of her first Iditarod, she was bouncing in her harness ready to go further and further!

Athena

Being named after the Goddess of War and Wisdom sure was fitting for this hard working girl. Athena doesn’t know what stop looks like. Even at the end of her first Iditarod, she was bouncing in her harness ready to go further and further!

Ray

10 years old and Ray still has it! He still trains with the A-team, eats like a champ, and knows how to live a very full life. This is a dog who has mastered floating along in the team but still providing lots of effort when needed.

Ray

10 years old and Ray still has it! He still trains with the A-team, eats like a champ, and knows how to live a very full life. This is a dog who has mastered floating along in the team but still providing lots of effort when needed.

Bensen

Bensen is a lovable, hardworking dog who is happiest when he is getting some love or is working his little heart out. This sweet boy finished in the 2016 Iditarod and we are expecting a long and bright future for him!

Bensen

Bensen is a lovable, hardworking dog who is happiest when he is getting some love or is working his little heart out. This sweet boy finished in the 2016 Iditarod and we are expecting a long and bright future for him!

Rowdy

Rowdy’s name says it all. This guy is feisty, exceptionally loud, and always ready to run. Rowdy is an extremely talented young dog who we are expecting big things from!

Rowdy

Rowdy’s name says it all. This guy is feisty, exceptionally loud, and always ready to run. Rowdy is an extremely talented young dog who we are expecting big things from!

Wrangler

Wrangler is the biggest, goofiest, and arguably the friendliest dog in our kennel. Wrangler is an all-around super-star able to run at the front of the team when needed and lead the team like the boss he is or he’s content to chill in the back, plugging away and working hard. Wrangler will do just about anything for a kibble!

Wrangler

Wrangler is the biggest, goofiest, and arguably the friendliest dog in our kennel. Wrangler is an all-around super-star able to run at the front of the team when needed and lead the team like the boss he is or he’s content to chill in the back, plugging away and working hard. Wrangler will do just about anything for a kibble!

Mongoose

Mongoose is a dog that is so fun to watch. He makes the most hysterical faces and is always do something silly — whether rubbing up against his house to get an itch or trying to convince Travis to scratch his butt. He is a true force in the team and a fun dog to have around!

Mongoose

Mongoose is a dog that is so fun to watch. He makes the most hysterical faces and is always do something silly — whether rubbing up against his house to get an itch or trying to convince Travis to scratch his butt. He is a true force in the team and a fun dog to have around!

Zema

Zema is without a doubt the brains of the operation. This precocious hard-driving dog has taught more sled dogs (and mushers!) the ins and outs of dog mushing. Although only 6 years old, this little lady has given us her heart and soul every step of the way. She is a phenomenal dog.

Zema

Zema is without a doubt the brains of the operation. This precocious hard-driving dog has taught more sled dogs (and mushers!) the ins and outs of dog mushing. Although only 6 years old, this little lady has given us her heart and soul every step of the way. She is a phenomenal dog.

Zeus

Zeus is the up and coming super star. His long legs, blue eyes, and slender build make him incredibly dreamy. We absolutely love all the hard work this guy puts in and are expecting a very bright future for him!

Zeus

Zeus is the up and coming super star. His long legs, blue eyes, and slender build make him incredibly dreamy. We absolutely love all the hard work this guy puts in and are expecting a very bright future for him!

Chek

Check is a happy-go-lucky dog who effortlessly moves down the trail. This friendly blue-eyed beauty is a crowd favorite and a true mama’s-boy. Check ran in the 2016 Iditarod all the way to White Mountain. We are expecting a long and distinguished racing career from this guy!

Chek

Check is a happy-go-lucky dog who effortlessly moves down the trail. This friendly blue-eyed beauty is a crowd favorite and a true mama’s-boy. Check ran in the 2016 Iditarod all the way to White Mountain. We are expecting a long and distinguished racing career from this guy!

Shark

Shark is anything but quiet. She is arguably the loudest dog in our kennel. Unlike the stealthy predator she is named after, Shark likes announcing her presence. She is a true force on the team and always gives her all.

Shark

Shark is anything but quiet. She is arguably the loudest dog in our kennel. Unlike the stealthy predator she is named after, Shark likes announcing her presence. She is a true force on the team and always gives her all.

Bruce

Bruce is loud, happy, and a fan favorite. His boisterous attitude is infectious among his team members. Unlike the Shark he was named after in Finding Nemo, Bruce loves fish snacks. Bruce usually runs towards the back of the team where his powerful build really helps propel the team forward.

Bruce

Bruce is loud, happy, and a fan favorite. His boisterous attitude is infectious among his team members. Unlike the Shark he was named after in Finding Nemo, Bruce loves fish snacks. Bruce usually runs towards the back of the team where his powerful build really helps propel the team forward.

Flo

Flo is a spunky tomboy. Growing up with 3 tough brothers, she has become incredibly feisty and fierce. Like her parents, Boston and Madori, she is developing into a determined leader who thrives on adversity. This little lady is one force to be reckoned with!

Flo

Flo is a spunky tomboy. Growing up with 3 tough brothers, she has become incredibly feisty and fierce. Like her parents, Boston and Madori, she is developing into a determined leader who thrives on adversity. This little lady is one force to be reckoned with!

Hoover

Hoover is a quirky dog with many peculiar habits. She is loud and driven, like her sister Shark, but is also incredibly coy and flirtatious. She has beautiful eyes and is strong-willed.

Dog Of The Week

Hoover

Hoover is a quirky dog with many peculiar habits. She is loud and driven, like her sister Shark, but is also incredibly coy and flirtatious. She has beautiful eyes and is strong-willed.

Dog Of The Week

Tamere

Tamere is the pretty pretty princess of the kennel. She is a haughty know-it-all with a wild side. This fun, sassy little dog wins over the hearts of all she meets. She loves to sing and is a determined in the team.

Tamere

Tamere is the pretty pretty princess of the kennel. She is a haughty know-it-all with a wild side. This fun, sassy little dog wins over the hearts of all she meets. She loves to sing and is a determined in the team.

Gremlin

Gremlin is a total flirt. The only thing she loves more than running is playing with her sister Goblin. Although she is small, she is mighty. This tenacious female has now finished two Iditarods in the top 20.

Gremlin

Gremlin is a total flirt. The only thing she loves more than running is playing with her sister Goblin. Although she is small, she is mighty. This tenacious female has now finished two Iditarods in the top 20.

Madori

Madori is a shy dog who is an incredible leader and very loyal to those she bonds with. She has incredible leadership skills and is quite the cheerleader when on the team.

Madori

Madori is a shy dog who is an incredible leader and very loyal to those she bonds with. She has incredible leadership skills and is quite the cheerleader when on the team.

Krum

Krum is a smart, energetic goofball who loves prancing at the front of the team in lead as fast as her tiny feet can carry her. She is a speed demon and a love bug. In the kennel, she always brings a laugh as she loves to play the drums by banging her feet on her food dish.

Krum

Krum is a smart, energetic goofball who loves prancing at the front of the team in lead as fast as her tiny feet can carry her. She is a speed demon and a love bug. In the kennel, she always brings a laugh as she loves to play the drums by banging her feet on her food dish.

Kermit

Kermit is known for his unique side-ways running style that we call crabbing. One of the old geezers of the kennel, Kermit is still racing and training for Iditarod. Kermit is a super friendly dog who is quick to make friends with both humans and canines!

Kermit

Kermit is known for his unique side-ways running style that we call crabbing. One of the old geezers of the kennel, Kermit is still racing and training for Iditarod. Kermit is a super friendly dog who is quick to make friends with both humans and canines!

Teddy

Everyone loves Teddy. He’s a hard working, energetic dog who is equally happy if he is running in the team, fetching a ball, or giving out slobbery kisses. His jet black coat often makes people mistake him for a wolf. He is a one-of-a-kind super star who is just hitting his prime!

Teddy

Everyone loves Teddy. He’s a hard working, energetic dog who is equally happy if he is running in the team, fetching a ball, or giving out slobbery kisses. His jet black coat often makes people mistake him for a wolf. He is a one-of-a-kind super star who is just hitting his prime!

Max
The Janitor

Max thinks everything we do is all about him. He is the official janitor at our kennel. His job is to clean up any kibble that gets spilled or goes uneaten. He is a real goofball who loves belly rubs, Betty, and riding in the car. Although not officially a racing sled dog, Max does run with the team every now and then to help him stay in shape.

MaxThe Janitor

Max thinks everything we do is all about him. He is the official janitor at our kennel. His job is to clean up any kibble that gets spilled or goes uneaten. He is a real goofball who loves belly rubs, Betty, and riding in the car. Although not officially a racing sled dog, Max does run with the team every now and then to help him stay in shape.

Betty

Betty is a 14 year old pure bred German Shepard. Her favorite things consist of following Sarah around and rough housing with Max. Although she is now almost completely deaf, Betty is an incredibly loyal dog who enjoys following the dog team from a distance on their shorter runs.

Betty

Betty is a 14 year old pure bred German Shepard. Her favorite things consist of following Sarah around and rough housing with Max. Although she is now almost completely deaf, Betty is an incredibly loyal dog who enjoys following the dog team from a distance on their shorter runs.

Archie

Archie was one of Travis’ very first lead dogs. Although retired, this 15 year old dog looks like a spring chicken whenever his favorite food, pizza crust, is anywhere in sight. Besides pizza, Archie loves watching his younger kennel mates get hooked up, sleeping on the couch, and eating vanilla ice cream.

Archie

Archie was one of Travis’ very first lead dogs. Although retired, this 15 year old dog looks like a spring chicken whenever his favorite food, pizza crust, is anywhere in sight. Besides pizza, Archie loves watching his younger kennel mates get hooked up, sleeping on the couch, and eating vanilla ice cream.

More Dog Bios Are Coming Soon!

Recent Posts

  • How Mushers Get Home After Finishing The Iditarod
  • Scouting Our Glacier Dog Sledding Camp
  • Turning Heads Kennel is Featured by The Seward Chamber!
  • The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod
  • Travis Beals Finishes the 2018 Iditarod
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turningheadskennel

Turning Heads Kennel
Sun’s out, tongues out! . . . #dogsledding #sled Sun’s out, tongues out!
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#dogsledding #sleddogs #iditarod #alaska #sewardak

📸 @its_kris_fish
Happy trails & wagging tails. We are back for anot Happy trails & wagging tails. We are back for another for season of sharing our sled dogs and passion for #dogsledding here in beautiful #sewardak 

Thanks to Azura and @its_kris_fish  for the awesome photo!
An absolutely incredibly dog team coming into the An absolutely incredibly dog team coming into the Kalskag (inbound) checkpoint of the Kuskokwim 300.

🎥 by Abby Klager

#TurningHeadsKennel #kuskokwim300 #k300 #bethelak #alaska #dogsledding #iditarod #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #huskygram #huskylife #optoutside #kuskokwimriver #dogsled #mushing #sleddogs #sleddogsport #sleddogsofinstagram #alaskalife #alaskaoutdoors #alaskaadventure #alaskaliving #alaskanhusky 

@thealaskalife @kuskokwim300 @dogsleddingdaily
Travis putting booties on the dogs as he gets read Travis putting booties on the dogs as he gets ready to depart the halfway checkpoint of the Knik 200 sled dog race. 

There were hurricane force winds throughout the race. Semi trucks got blown off the road. Planes parked at the airport were flipped over.

Still, the dogs and Travis persevered — even when they had to go through waist deep overflow.

The team came to the finish line happy and healthy and in 2nd place. Travis also received the Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Dog Care.

We are so proud of him and Braxton, who ran the B team, and also had a strong finish.

#dogsledding #sleddogs #alaska #dogsofinsta #doglife #alaskalife #huskylife #instahusky
💯 #dogsledding #alaska 💯 #dogsledding #alaska
Getting out and enjoying the sunshine together. #d Getting out and enjoying the sunshine together. #dogsledding
Happy Birthday Travis 🥳 Happy Birthday Travis 🥳
Two by two⁠ 🐕🐾❄️⁠ ⁠ Trail breakin Two by two⁠
 🐕🐾❄️⁠
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Trail breaking :)⁠
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#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska⁠
#denalihighway #cantwell ⁠
#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs
BB is a rock star⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #instadog #dogsofinst BB is a rock star⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska
Baby Skunk 💕⁠ ⁠ Skunk is now almost 17 mont Baby Skunk 💕⁠
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Skunk is now almost 17 months old and is working hard at being a sled dog.⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky
We were blessed with some gorgeous skies this seas We were blessed with some gorgeous skies this season. Here's just 1 of the many we enjoyed 💕⁠
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#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska⁠
Time Warp! A look back at early season fall traini Time Warp! A look back at early season fall training using the side by side. ⁠
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(Also, what smells so good in the grass 🤣)⁠
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Right now, the snow is melting and spring is well on its way here but we are already thinking about this coming fall and the adventures it will bring us. 💕⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska
Dolly & Blue. 💕⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #turningheadskennel Dolly & Blue. 💕⁠
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#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska
Old man Boston 💕⁠ ⁠ Our time left with Bost Old man Boston 💕⁠
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Our time left with Boston is slowly coming to an end but this geriatric sled dog is full of heart. He is the dad or granddad to many of the dogs in our kennel. ⁠
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Each day we have together is a gift. ⁠
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📸 by Kalani Woodlock
Travis and the dogs are in FINGERLAKE on #Iditarod Travis and the dogs are in FINGERLAKE on #Iditarod 2021 🥳 and OUT of FINGERLAKE.

Although his stats haven’t been updated as of this posting, it looks like he got there around 5:10 this morning, making it about a 4.5 hour run for him and the dogs. He rested about 3 hours and is now headed down the trail towards RAINY PASS

Here’s a fun video from one of the last training runs this year. 

🥳🎉 Go Team Go 🎉🥳
Well, he’s off! We’d hoped to livestream the s Well, he’s off!
We’d hoped to livestream the start of #Iditarod but because of the new location, we unfortunately didn’t have coverage!

The starting line up this year:
BB - Blue
Spartan - West
Krum - Granger
Melissa - Queen
Skiff - Jovie
Ohmer - Mongoose
Delta - Tug

Go Travis go!
The countdown to race day has started. Travis is g The countdown to race day has started. Travis is getting in the last few training runs before #iditarod to determine the final few dogs on the roster.

Our trail has one minor road crossing that we usually have no problem with —  as it’s in a wide open area — so we have plenty of opportunity to see cars and vice versa but with it continuing to snow day after day in Willow, the berms have gotten quite high. 

Because of this, after Travis and the team take off I drive down to play crossing guard.

Here’s a glimpse of the team from yesterday. #dogsledding #turningheadskennel
Well we got 1882 lbs of food headed out on the #id Well we got 1882 lbs of food headed out on the #iditarod trail for mushers and dogs. 

A big thanks to Caleb & Dave for helping cut meet, Victoria & Richard for letting us post up at their house, and a huge crew of human volunteers who helped cook Travis’ meals for out on the trail. @dlwalkerak for cooking and organizing and: @zudyscafe @akcarlyn @lonechicharron @woodysthaikitchenak @bakingthyme and Cristian McClain for cooking @majormarinetours for some great snacks and Portage Transport for delivering.

It’s not small feet getting a team ready to go 1,000 miles but this year— with little indoor access —- it really took a lot of careful planning to make sure Travis stays warm and well fed.

Thanks team!
A lot of the time, we are running teams of 8+ dogs A lot of the time, we are running teams of 8+ dogs. It’s more practical with a lot of dogs in training. That being said, there is something magical about breaking things down and working with the dogs one on one in smaller teams. This is especially true for our youngest teammates!

In this video, 16-month-olds Keister and Tucker are working as a lone pair. With no one else to guide them, the pups get their first experience taking commands without the pressure of having other dogs “chase” them. They also get to practice lining out and staying forward oriented.

Working at night with young leaders, a headlamp also becomes a great tool as we can easily show the trail we want the dogs to take. 

#dogsledding #mushing #iditarod #alaska
Under the pine boughs we go. Fresh snow makes fo Under the pine boughs we go. 

Fresh snow makes for fun runs and acrobatic mushing as you dip and dive to dodge the low hanging branches. On occasion, we use our axes to cut out trees too low to safely pass under. These momentary stops are an opportunity for the dogs to cool off and for us to stop and enjoy a warm thermos of tea.
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☎ (907) 362-4354

Turning Heads Kennel
31722 Herman Leirer Road
Seward, AK 99664

Info@TurningHeadsKennel.com

Recent Posts

  • How Mushers Get Home After Finishing The Iditarod
  • Scouting Our Glacier Dog Sledding Camp
  • Turning Heads Kennel is Featured by The Seward Chamber!
  • The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod
  • Travis Beals Finishes the 2018 Iditarod
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