Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel and Raft NH have a unique structure and are different than your typical adventure tourism outfitter. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel (aka Muddy Paw, aka our "winter persona") was established as a touring kennel in 2007. Since its inception, Muddy Paw has grown year after year and is currently home to 80 sled dogs, many of which are rescue and second chance. To generate the reve
nue required to provide the high level of care these amazing athletes receive, Muddy Paw conducts year round recreational dog sledding tours. The dog sledding adventures we offer are designed to be educational and hands on to the comfort level of our guests. During the snow-less seasons our mushers use rolling dog sleds (which are specially designed for comfort and safety). While we are a touring kennel and do not participate in racing, we do enjoy following local racing kennels and their adventures. In the summer of 2010, Raft NH (our “summer persona”) was started to further support the sled dogs during the warmer, snow-less months. Establishing Raft NH also enabled us to provide year-round guiding opportunities for our mushers (if you join us for both the winter and summer seasons you may see a familiar face or two)! The owner, Neil, is a third generation, licensed Maine guide who has been hitting the rapids since he was child. One of his greatest passions is training all our guides to the same high standards he has practiced for nearly 20 years. Raft NH currently offers family-friendly rafting adventures ranging from mild Class II to wild Class IV. In 2013 we formed the NH Sled Dog Rescue, History and Education Center which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity to further support rescue sled dogs in need and provide education about northern breed dogs to the public. Together, the NHSDRHEC, Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel and Raft NH are responsible for the daily care and overall well being of nearly 100 sled dogs. We typically spend upwards of $100,000 annually just in basic care, which does not include staffing, insurance, improvements, etc. Dog sledding is without a doubt, a labor of love. We provide a much-needed haven for sled dogs in need. Unlike a traditional “house dog”, sled dogs do not always hold up well when in a shelter environment. They tend to develop behavioral problems and are consequently deemed “unadoptable”. We provide a traditional working kennel environment, which they are familiar with and can continue to grow in. When a sled dog in need comes to us, they have a home and job for life. Should they lose interest in running or for health/age reasons have to retire, we then seek out a wonderful forever home for them to enjoy. In the past year, we have successfully placed over 28 retired sled dogs into forever homes and are striving to grow that number even more in the coming year.
