We are a small family business including about 30 Siberian Huskies, Bergþóra, Sæmi, grandmothers, grandfathers, our children and more friends and close family members.
All of our dogs are friendly (sometimes a little bit to friendly…), they love to exercise and the attention they get from our guests.
It is great to be out on the trail with our amazing sled dogs in the beautiful nature close by Lake Myvatn, North Iceland. In winter we offer dog sledding tours and kennel visits, in summer we offer cart rides and kennel visits.
Rigel
Rigel
Ragnar, a son of Fífa and Smoke, was born in 2022. Smoke, who belongs to Hjördís, was imported from Canada. Hi is a North American show champion.
Ragnar is a relaxed dog who gets along with everyone and enjoys playing. He’s quite the foodie and needs to be reminded to be quiet during meals, but he pays attention attentively. However, next time, his excitement gets the better of him, and he forgets.
Although Ragnar doesn’t belong to us, he was born here and is treated as one of our own.
Bergþóra serves as the primary caretaker of the dogs. She acts as their midwife, selects their names, oversees the puppies’ training, and ensures the well-being and nutrition of all the dogs in her care.
Background and Experience
Growing up on a farm surrounded by various animals, Bergþóra gained extensive experience in animal care early in life. She trained sheep dogs for herding and also worked on breaking in horses. At one point, she even considered becoming a professional horse trainer.
Academic and Professional Interests
Bergþóra is also a biologist, with a focus on birds, insects, and ecology. Her scientific background informs her approach to animal care and her understanding of the natural world.
Personal Interests
Deeply passionate about the outdoors, Bergþóra enjoys spending time in nature and engaging in a variety of outdoor activities. She also has a love for music and dance. Committed to self-sufficiency, she values healthy food and has a particular fondness for chocolate.
Fanna, born in 2023 at the Team Tuva Kennel in Norway, is the offspring of Dixie and Bowie, both exceptional long-distance sled dogs.
Fanna embodies the perfect blend of calmness and easegoing nature, coupled with remarkable hard work and lightning-fast recovery abilities. This makes her an ideal companion for all dogs, as she can effortlessly work and play alongside them.
In the kennel, Fanna stands out from the rest. Unlike most dogs who get instantly excited and rush through any door you open, Fanna takes her time. She patiently waits until the other dogs have had their moment and then joins them. While most of our dogs are incredibly affectionate and love people dearly, Fanna’s personality is more reserved. She enjoys cuddles, but she doesn’t demand them; she simply takes things at her own pace.
We are thrilled to have Fanna in our kennel and have high hopes for her breeding. She is on the verge of becoming the ideal sled dog, and we are confident that she will continue to excel in this field.
Arya Ösp
Arya Ösp
Sæmundur, known as Sæmi, is essential to the daily operations of our business. He ensures that all bills are paid and invoices are sent out on time. Sæmi also manages the majority of our email correspondence, maintains our website, and, without his efforts, it is likely that the company itself would not exist.
Background and Skills
Sæmi holds a degree in house painting and has previously worked as both a building contractor and a national park ranger. His experience makes him highly skilled at making things look appealing, and he brings a practical approach to maintenance tasks within the company.
Personal Interests
Outside of work, Sæmi enjoys spending time in nature. He likes running and working in the forest, particularly cutting down trees. Sæmi values self-sustainability and is constantly generating new ideas for improving the way things are done.
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Venus, a daughter of Sól and Sauron, was born in 2021 and is one of the Kennel’s most important leaders.
Despite her leadership, she occasionally gets distracted by birds and sheep. Venus is a calm and focused dog who is generally good with people and other dogs.
However, there’s one thing that sets Venus apart: she’s not a great eater. If we want the Kennel dogs to gain a bit more body fat, she simply doesn’t eat everything I feed them.
When she had puppies, Venus demanded special treatment with her food. She wanted her meat and fish to be cut into pieces so she wouldn’t have to chew too much, and minced meat was her favorite. Fortunately, she got away with this while she was nursing her puppies. Spoiled rotten!
Orion, born in 2021, is a son of Sól and Sauron. He’s one of the Kennel’s most prominent leaders, though he may not be the fastest, he’s certainly the most focused.
Birds and sheep, even those running just 10 meters away, don’t faze him. His mind is always on the track. The only thing that can distract him is the presence of “girls in heat,” but even then, if they’re not at the optimal mating time (we consider them in heat for about 15 days, but they’re only happy to mate for about 5 days), he can stay focused if they’re not right behind him on the line.
Orion is a calm and composed dog, and we have great hopes for him to become one of the Kennel’s most important breeding studs.
As the head of “the α-clan,” Orion is the boss of the Kennel’s male dogs, supported by his brothers Júpíter and Fönix. Most of the time, he’s a gentle leader, walking beside the younger dogs who tend to get a bit too full of themselves in his opinion. To teach them a lesson, he makes himself look big, and the young ones realize that Orion is indeed the boss.
Hjördís is the mother of Sæmundur and the cornerstone of our journey into dog sledding. Without her, we would not have any dogs, and without dogs, there would be no dog sledding company. Her influence and dedication have shaped the very existence of our business.
Pioneering Siberian Husky Breeding in Iceland
As one of the first Siberian Husky breeders in Iceland, Hjördís has played a pivotal role in bringing these remarkable dogs to the country. She acquired her first Siberian Husky in 2003, laying the foundation for our future endeavors. Thanks to her vision and efforts, we were able to establish Snow Dogs.
Our Dogs’ Lineage
In 2015, Hjördís had a litter for us, followed by another in 2016. Nearly all the dogs we have today, except for the three we imported from other countries, are direct descendants of these litters. During our early years of operating dog sledding tours, she generously lent us some of her own dogs, helping us build and maintain our team.
Ongoing Support and Care
Currently, Hjördís owns four Siberian Huskies. Our partnership goes beyond breeding; she sometimes takes care of our dogs when we have days off, and we return the favor by watching her dogs as well. This close relationship has been invaluable to our company and the well-being of our dogs.
About Hjördís
Hjördís is a remarkable woman—highly organized, efficient, and driven to get things done. She is devoted to her family, her dogs, and her passions for hiking and traveling. Her commitment and energy continue to inspire everyone around her.
Júpíter, born in 2021, is a son of Sól and Sauron. He’s one of the happiest dogs in the Kennel, always ready to frolic and shower us with kisses.
However, he can be a bit anxious and impatient, especially when waiting. Despite these quirks, we adore him unconditionally.
Júpíter is incredibly hardworking and often leads the sled. He has excellent focus, but the “girls in heat” can be quite distracting. Surprisingly, this distraction actually provides him with an extra boost of energy when he’s working with them.
As a member of “the α-clan,” Júpíter’s brother, Orion, is the alpha. However, Júpíter and Fönix support him, and together they form the complete “α-clan.”
Ingólfur, whom we fondly call Ingó, is a vegetable farmer who lives nearby. He originally hails from the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. As a teenager, Ingólfur moved to this area to pursue his studies. During that time, he met his partner, who lived on a farm close by.
Work and Skills
Ingólfur has worked with us for since 2023. He is known for his skill and rapport with both the dogs and our customers. Ingó brings a positive and fun energy to our team.
Interests
Ingólfur is passionate about healthy food and living. He is also interested in alternative medicine, farming, music, and football.
Fönix, a son of Sól and Sauron, was born in 2021. He is an exceptionally hardworking dog, often acting as a leader.
However, when the girls are about to come into heat, he loses his focus and sometimes believes he must also ensure that the young boys understand their place in the pack hierarchy. Despite these occasional lapses, Fönix is on the verge of becoming the perfect dog.
Fönix belongs to “the α-clan,” where his brother Orion holds the title of α. However, Júpíter and Fönix support him, and together they form the “α-clan.”
Smyrill, born in 2022, is the son of Rjúpa and Bylur. His mother resides in Reykjavík, so he was born there. Notably, he’s the only dog in the kennel who’s from Iceland and wasn’t born here.
Smyrill is a gentle giant and a devoted father of five. He’s a hardworking dog, but it’s essential to exercise caution when introducing him to other dogs, especially young ones. He can easily lose focus if a “stupid young boy” runs behind him.
Lennon, born in Norway in 2022 at the Team Dopamine Kennel, is a lovable giant. His mother, Peaches, is Norwegian, while his father, Everth, is Swedish.
We adopted Lennon when he was just a puppy.
Lennon is the proud father of eight of our dogs. Before he had his sons, he was undoubtedly the tallest dog in the Kennel. However, since then, he has blended in perfectly with his offspring.
While Lennon doesn’t particularly enjoy wearing a harness, he absolutely loves running. Before takeoff, he sometimes gets a bit excitable, but he usually regains his composure during the tour and remains calm. During these breaks, he takes advantage of the short snow baths to recover and freshen up.
Kiiru, born in Sweden in 2013, is the offspring of the renowned short-distance racing dogs, Villi and Vante. Her exceptional speed is truly remarkable, and she enjoys playing and being kind to puppies.
While she may be a bit cautious around strangers, she’s gradually becoming more trusting and affectionate. However, those she trusts deeply love her immensely and seek her attention.
If all goes well, we plan to breed Kiiru in the future. You can watch a video of her family competing in February 2025. In the lead is her sister, Kiri, accompanied by Uncle Pate. Mother Villi is positioned in front of Kiiru’s brother, Into, while Father Vante races alongside Aunt Masu.
Rán, a daughter of Venus and Smyrill, was born in 2023. She’s a lovely young dog with high potential as a leader, but she needs to improve her focus on the trail.
Instead, she’s often distracted by grass, stones, and snow.
Initially, she was overwhelmed by the attention from the males during her first heat cycle, which made her feel insecure in the group. However, she’s gradually regaining her confidence.
We have high hopes for her becoming a successful sled dog.
Óðinn, a son of Venus and Smyrill, was born in 2023. He’s an incredibly promising lead dog with exceptional focus, though he doesn’t always listen.
(He knows he’s right when it comes to choosing the trail.) He’ll learn, though.
Óðinn is incredibly affectionate and loves people very passionately. Be careful if you don’t want a “French kiss” from him! He’s the smallest of the ten boys born in October 2023 and can be a bit insecure about his position in the group, but he’ll figure it out.
Óðinn belongs to our middle boy, Dagur.
Hrefna grew up on the neighboring farm to Snow Dogs, and her sister currently resides there. Over the years, Hrefna has worked for us in various roles, including as a musher and a painter. Even now, she occasionally helps out by caring for our dogs.
Experience with Animals
Hrefna is a dedicated sheep farmer with a deep love for animals. She treats the dogs with exceptional kindness and is known for being highly organized. Whenever Hrefna is present, she ensures that everything is in its proper place, creating a clean and pleasant environment.
Personal Interests
In addition to her passion for caring for animals, Hrefna also enjoys singing.
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Fennrir, a son of Venus and Smyrill, was born in 2023. He’s a friendly dog who loves people, but he knows he shouldn’t jump and kiss them.
Sometimes, he does it anyway, and if his nose hits yours, it can be a bit painful. So, please be careful when you’re around him. He’s the dog with the darkest gray face in our kennel.
Fennrir is a sweetheart, and we have high hopes that he’ll be a great sled dog. He’s already promising to be a good leader and can work well with almost everyone.
Fennrir belongs to our oldest son, Þór.
Ragnar, known to many as Raggi, has been an integral part of our team for approximately fifteen years. His involvement with us began long before we ventured into offering dog sledding tours, making him one of our most longstanding and trusted associates.
Longstanding Friendship and Local Roots
Raggi and Sæmi share a deep-rooted friendship that dates back to their childhood days in the Capital area. Their enduring connection has played a significant role in shaping the collaborative spirit within our organization.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Mývatn Activity
In addition to his work with us, Raggi runs his own company, Mývatn Activity. This enterprise specializes in providing biking and hiking tours around the scenic lake Mývatn, allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty of the region through active and engaging excursions.
Passion for Nature and People
Raggi is deeply passionate about enjoying nature and participating in a variety of outdoor activities. His enthusiasm extends beyond the outdoors, as he is genuinely interested in learning about people from different backgrounds and discovering what life is like in other countries.
Sharing Icelandic Insights
One of Raggi’s notable strengths is his ability to clearly and effectively explain aspects of life in Iceland. His communication skills enable him to provide visitors with meaningful insights, helping them better understand Icelandic culture and the natural environment.
Týr, born in 2023, is the son of Venus and Smyrill. He’s a big softie with people, being nice and calm. However, when he’s on the line, he can be a bit of a jerk.
We must be cautious about who he works with because he’s not patient at all. He doesn’t want to wait and takes it out on the dog beside him if that dog isn’t confident or strict. We genuinely hope he’ll grow out of this habit, but you never know.
Kristján, affectionately known as Kiddi, is the father of Bergþóra. Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to both farming and working on a fishing boat. After many years of hard work in these demanding professions, he is now retired.
Continued Support and Daily Contributions
In his retirement, Kiddi remains an invaluable source of support, assisting with building projects and maintenance tasks. He is always ready to lend a hand, whether it involves shoveling snow with the tractor or taking care of small repairs around the house, such as fixing a leaky sink or addressing issues when the water freezes.
Passion for Horses
Kiddi has a longstanding passion for horses, a hobby that has played a significant role in his life. At one point, he owned as many as 50 horses, all of which he personally broke in, trained, and eventually sold. In recent years, he has scaled back and now owns about 10 horses, but his enthusiasm for them remains undiminished.
Health Challenges
In April 2024, Kiddi suffered a serious stroke. Although the effects have slowed him down, he continues to do what he can, demonstrating resilience and a strong commitment to helping out wherever possible.
Seifur, a son of Venus and Lennon, was born in 2023. He has a giraffe-like appearance and doesn’t resemble a purebred Siberian Husky, but he is.
Seifur is a bit peculiar and sometimes acts like a horse that resists being hoofed when you attempt to lift his feet to attach the harness. However, he never does this when you’re putting the harness on.
Despite these quirks, Seifur has great potential as a lead dog. He still needs to develop more confidence, but we’re confident he’ll find it with some training. 😊
Freyja, a daughter of Sól and Lennon, was born in 2023. She’s a tall and sweet young working dog, with the potential to become a lead dog.
Initially, she didn’t seem like a strong candidate, but with more training, her leadership qualities emerged. We’ve tried placing her in the lead a few times, and she’s shown promising results.
Iðunn, born in 2023, is a daughter of Sól and Lennon. She resembles her mother’s youthful appearance, making her quite attractive.
Iðunn has a passion for food and is a promising lead dog, potentially contributing to future breeding efforts. While she can be quite vocal when waiting, it’s a common trait among dogs. Iðunn is also affectionate towards people, but her love for food often overshadows her greetings, as she tends to check for food nearby before saying hello.
Draco, a son of Sól and Lennon, was born in 2023. He inherits his father’s imposing stature and his mother’s strength, making him a formidable combination.
However, if you’re not planning to show him, his size might be a concern, as he’s quite large for the standard. Despite his size, Draco is a gentle and kind-hearted dog. He’s polite and sweet, and he’s always ready to please.
Draco is a big and strong dog, but he’s surprisingly low-maintenance when it comes to exercise. He’s not particularly fond of wearing a harness, and he’ll sometimes try to avoid it. However, if you want to go for a run, he’s more than happy to join you.
Títan, born in 2023, is a son of Sól and Lennon. He inherits his father’s imposing stature and his mother’s strength, making him a formidable combination.
However, if you’re planning to attend shows due to his size, it might be a challenge to accommodate him. Despite his size, Títan is a gentle and affectionate dog. He’s polite and sweet, and his big and strong presence can’t be ignored. But be prepared for his loud barking, as he tends to get restless when waiting or before takeoff, which can disrupt the flow of events.
Snjólaug, also known as Snjóka, is the devoted mother of Bergþóra and here sisters. She has spent almost her entire life living on a farm, where her dedication to her family and household is unwavering.
She is attentive to our health, insisting on visits to the doctor when anyone is unwell.
Attentiveness to the Environment
With a keen awareness of her surroundings, Snjólaug notices even the smallest changes in the environment. She can predict shifts in the weather simply by observing the clouds and listening to the sounds of the river. Her connection to nature is both practical and profound.
Homemade Remedies and Handicrafts
Snjólaug’s resourcefulness extends to making a special balm for the dogs’ paws, using organic oils and plants that grow in the local environment. Her skills reflect her deep knowledge of natural remedies and her commitment to the well-being of not just her family, but also the animals on the farm.
Passion for Caring and Nature
Snjólaug is known for her caring nature. She enjoys looking after others and finds joy in the world around her, whether it is through her love of birds, plants, or various handcrafts. Her appreciation for nature and her nurturing spirit are at the heart of everything she does.
Herkúles, a son of Sól and Lennon, was born in 2023. He inherits his father’s imposing stature and his mother’s strength, making him a formidable combination.
However, if you’re not interested in dog shows due to his size, he’s a gentle and well-mannered dog. He’s polite, sweet, and surprisingly, his size doesn’t make him noticeable because he stays out of trouble and diligently performs his duties. Nevertheless, it’s essential to exercise caution when introducing him to other dogs, as he can be a bit timid and hesitant to work with bullies.
Pegasus, a son of Sól and Lennon, was born in 2023. He inherits his father’s imposing size and his mother’s strength, making him a formidable combination.
While he may be too large for standard dog shows, he is a gentle and well-mannered dog who is polite and sweet. Despite his size, he is surprisingly low-maintenance and rarely gets into trouble, making him an ideal working dog.
We have high hopes that Pegasus will be a valuable addition to our breeding program in the future.
Contributions Beyond Carpentry
In addition to her carpentry work, Eydís played a vital role in caring for the dogs and mushing our dog sledding tours. In our opinion, she was an excellent musher, and it was a great advantage to have someone on the team with such a valuable combination of skills.
Attention to the Dogs’ Well-being
Eydís is particularly attentive to the dogs’ emotional and social needs. She carefully observes how the dogs are feeling, especially in their social interactions, ensuring their overall well-being.
Ongoing Support and Versatility
Currently, Eydís occasionally takes care of the dogs when we are unable to be present around the clock. She mushes our tours and she also continues to use her carpentry expertise as needed, repairing or improving things on site. While we are capable of handling certain tasks, Eydís consistently completes them more efficiently and with better results.
Personal Interests
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Eydís enjoys outdoors activities in nature and helping others.
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