FAQ

How did you get into mushing?

I had always wanted a Siberian Husky and when I was researching breeders, I came across the mushers of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. I ran Dexter with a few borrowed dogs and I was instantly hooked. 

How do you mush when there isn't snow?

Many mushers rely on dry land equipment like scooters, bikes, and rigs to train their dogs in the fall and spring, or if they live where snowfall isn’t prevalent. Rigs have wheels and look like a mix between a chariot and a shopping cart. Mushers with larger teams rely on ATVs to train when there's no snow available.

What kind of dogs do you have?

My team is a mixture of purebred, working lines Siberian Huskies as well as Alaskan Huskies. Siberians are an AKC recognized breed, while Alaskans are a type of mix bred specifically to be great sled dogs.

Where do you mush?

I've run on trails all over New Jersey, the Hudson Valley of New York, Connecticut, the mountains of southern California, New Hampshire, and central New York state.

Do you compete in races?

Yes. So far, our focus has been on sprint racing (generally two day events, under 6 miles each day). However, we’ve been working towards some shorter mid-distance level races (15-30 miles).

How do you travel with so many dogs?

I’ve had just about every dog-hauling vehicle you can imagine—detailed further in this blog post. In Spring 2023, I purchased an AWD Ford Transit to be my primary dog hauler.

How much does it cost to feed so many dogs?

It’s actually not as bad as you might think! The dogs do require high quality kibble which normally costs about $80 for a 44-pound bag. However, since we go through so much, it’s way more economical to order by the pallet, straight from the manufacturer. This cuts the price in half and generally lasts us about a year. Along with kibble, the dogs get freeze-dried raw patties, raw meat, supplements, and lots of treats.