A dog sledding adventure at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel is an exhilarating way to experience New Hampshire’s Grand North up close and personal. The more than 100 frisky and friendly sled dogs at Muddy Paw are born to run and love nothing better than pulling a sled of happy visitors on the beautiful, snowy fields and trails around their Jefferson kennel nestled in the shadow of the majestic Mount Washington Presidential range.
Muddy Paw is a year-round business, with sled dog rides on snow during winter and rolling sled dog rides — sleds on wheels — during the warm weather months. Whitewater river rafting adventures nearby round out their summer schedule.
Many of the dogs at the kennel are rescue and second chance animals, and each has a distinct personality and place on the teams that pull the sleds. When a musher walks into the yard with a handful of harnesses, indicating a team is about to be hitched up, the dogs erupt with excitement, barking and straining on their leads, hoping to be among the lucky ones chosen to pull the team — because this is what they love to do best!
Visitors are encouraged to pet the dogs and help harness them to the sleds. Depending on the adventure you’ve chosen, you can even take a turn driving the sled. At the end of a run, it’s traditional to walk the line giving belly rubs and thanking the dogs for a job well done, and getting some doggie kisses in return! You can also “tip” your team with cookies — but don’t feed the mushers!
Trail rides range from 2-50 miles, over varied terrain, and include rides to appeal to every interest and budget. Rides can be enjoyed by individuals of any age, from toddlers to teens, and young adults to seniors. The staff welcomes visitors from all over the world who are looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure.
New this winter: The Musher for a Minute Adventure is designed for guests 12 and older who want to learn the nuts and bolts of modern dog sledding. After an educational component, guests help harness their team and hit the trails on a double driver sled with an experienced musher, learning their Gees and Haws (rights and lefts) and practicing the #1 rule of dog sledding — Never Let Go!
Learn more at www.dogslednh.com or email [email protected].