Name: Kennel Name: Birthplace: Home Town: Occupation: Web Site:

Warren Palfrey Northern Star Kennel Churchill, Manitoba Yellowknife, NWT Plumber, Gasfitter www.northernstarkennels.com

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[Editor's note: A fellow musher tells me Warren will go down in history as the only guy ever to have a dog truck in Nunavut! On race day there were 19 skiddos with dog boxes on sleds pulled up to the racing chutes and only one dog truck...Warren's!]

I have three kids and girlfriend, Kate, that all help with the kennel.

How long have you been involved with sled dogs?
I have been involved in dog mushing since I was 12 years old. I and a buddy of mine, Marcel, had a hard time getting started but it was great fun and we enjoyed endless hours on the land hunting and trapping. We did not, however, have any mentors and it was a hard  (interesting) learning process. That first time behind one or two dogs and they are actually running, wow what a rush!

What size kennel do you operate?
I currently operate a kennel of 18 dogs, including pups.

What type of tether/bowl system do you use?
In Yellowknife I plan on using elevated doghouses with a rotating post system, males and females separated.

What are the most important considerations in keeping sled dogs?
There are a few thoughts I have regarding current practices and trends that I see happening in the mushing world.  I had the opportunity to participate in the ADMA Symposium last fall and it was interesting how much energy was spent on dog diseases. Here’s a few thoughts:

In my kennel I run 14 dogs. Period. Due to weather and time restrictions that’s all that is possible and still I may only get one run in a week. It costs approximately $450 a year for dog food and supplements, not including shots and vet bills $$$

So every dog in my kennel is kept only if they can make the program--no defects at all health-wise /mental/ or physical. This is important to the breeding program in general. I believe that your kennel is only as strong as your weakest dog ….sound familiar?

I have gotten rid of dogs for simplify not being a good eater. Perhaps some mushers should heed this advice as I believe that I see a trend of mushy brained, bad footed, picky eating, but fast dogs being bred.

I give a lot of credit to Grant Beck of Yellowknife, NWT as he is the one that steered on the path paved with winning money (races). His philosophy is (I believe) to breed tough (mentally and physically) dogs. Period.

Give us an overview of your feeding program.
I feed primarily dry commercial and add egg powder and zinpro (excellent product)

What breed(s) do you work with?
Alaskan Huskies.

What characteristics do you look for in your dogs?
I think that most breeding stock is on an equal playing field. However it is the little things that add up: good eaters, good feet, etc. My dogs have a very positive mind set. They are very eager to go (over eager, especially in the fall). My favorite litter was out of Roxy’s line two dogs that I bought from Grant Beck: Rambo, Sire out of Sundown and Topsy out of ? (Roxy line)

Tell us about an all time favorite dog or two.
Whitey, Jr and Topsy.

All three are leaders and have run every race I have been in for the last three years.  They all ran the 150 in Yellowknife as yearlings, two as leaders and Jr. I just threw into lead this spring and he ran the 150, as well as Kivalliq Championship this year.

I am really impressed with their performance the spring here in the Rankin race. It was a total blizzard and they did not falter once leaving the trail!

But as George Attla once said "good dogs get old fast."

What method do you use for starting pups?
Slow and steady! I have had all natural pullers for the last few years so they were easy to train.

Give away all that don’t have it.   Usually around 50% are too big or small, etc.

What is the training/racing philosophy of your kennel?
Heavy quad training in the fall to build muscles and strengthen tendons and ligaments.

What is the most indispensable training equipment you use?
I primarily use a ski-doo in the winter, mostly for team control.

What do you consider most important in training?
I believe it is important to have uneventful runs--hook up, go out and return--no tangles, fights, wrong turns, etc. Ski- doos are a really good tool to use when running large teams by yourself. Control is the key!

How do you choose which races to enter?
Last season I went out at the end of January to try out the western Canada race circuit including Preeceville, Southend, The Pas, and Wolloston Lake.

What are your strengths as a racer?
I think I know how I can get the most out of my dogs. I can read them well, I don’t know it's hard to explain.

What do you consider your weaknesses, if any?
I don’t "drive" them enough.

Do you having a mushing career goal?
Win my first race outside of Rankin.

What is your vision of the future of sled dog sports?
I foresee dog mushing in the Olympics and the continually growing internationally.

What can individual mushers do to support and promote the sport?
Get involved with your local club.  Don’t complain about races and whatnot--get involved and change it!

What advice would you give a beginning musher?
New mushers: don’t do it!! It’s addictive! Well, know exactly what you’re getting into. Talk to other mushers if you can.

Check the photo page!

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