What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 8:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 8:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 8:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 8:30pm Friday 8:30am - 8:30pm Saturday 8:30am - 8:30pm Sunday 8:30am - 8:30pm

Trail Breaker Kennel

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Fairbanks, AK
Trail Breaker Kennel

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Trail Breaker Kennel was founded in 1976 by the late Susan Butcher, a four-time Iditarod champion, a

Trail Breaker Kennel was founded by four-time Iditarod champion, the late Susan Butcher, and her husband and Yukon Quest champion, David Monson. For over 20 years, the kennel has opened its doors to visitors in Fairbanks, Alaska. Today, David, his daughters, and their dedicated staff work to provide visitors with a glimpse into the lives of these amazing sled dogs and their musher companions.

11/06/2026

As the season progresses and we have a bit more snow on the ground, our mushers and dogs are enjoying the early signs of winter! With the drop in temperatures and an increase in miles we run, our dogs have been practicing going over some new trails. New trails are great not only to keep the dogs engaged and interested, but it is also keeping our mushers entertained. Running on different trails is also important for teaching some of our newer lead dogs the commands and for everyone to try new things and not just stick to what they know.

We are going to be heading out to Eureka, AK where Susan Butcher founded her kennel this weekend. Kennel owner Tekla, and two of our mushers, Anna & Anna Marie, will be taking 10 dogs out to train for a long weekend. Our kennel loves to keep the spirit of the property alive by continuing to go out there and training dogs there.

As we get more snow, we are also hoping to be able to transition from 4-wheeler and side-by-side training to sleds in the coming weeks! Let’s all hope for more snow here in the interior so the dogs can do what they love to do in the best conditions!

11/03/2026

With the fresh snow in Fairbanks, it’s been fun to slowly transition from fall training on 4-wheelers to sleds with the small recreational team at Trail Breaker Kennel. Tekla ventured out on a sled with a four dog team! While it’s still a little early for snow hooks to hold, it was wonderful to get out on the runners with some gentle, trustworthy dogs.

Meanwhile, Abby has been taking the pups on adventures all over town! From exploring the freezing confluence of the Tanana and Chena Rivers to enjoying a b**r at Black Spruce Brewing Company with TBK retiree Simone, these dogs are getting out and enjoying everything Fairbanks has to offer.

After a summer away doing fieldwork, TBK guide and musher Anna Marie Nolte (Anna Marie) is back at the kennel, spending time with Teak, Bob, and Scooch on four-wheeler and sled runs. We’re happy to have her back running dogs, even if it’s just for a little while! This winter, Anna Marie and her sled dog Bridget, from Star Gazers Racing, will be heading to Colorado, where Anna Marie will be attending massage therapy school. We’ll certainly miss having these two around the kennel, but we’re excited to see where their next adventure takes them!

One of the things we love most about Trail Breaker Kennel is the wonderful extended family of people and dogs who make this place special. Dogs may retire into new homes, and people may move on to new adventures, but they remain part of the extended TBK family.

Best wishes to Anna Marie and Bridget on their next adventure!

And speaking of new homes, Teak and Bob are still looking for theirs! If you’re interested in welcoming one of these wonderful dogs into your family, please reach out to us through our website.

10/19/2026

This fall season, TBK musher Keira and TBK operations manager Ida have been co-training a team of race dogs, as well as getting their personal dogs out with the team. So far, they have managed to get every single dog on their team in the lead position and are continuing to grow confident leaders with the younger dogs.
The two who have been shining the most in lead this year are 3 year old Allen(wrench), who despite being a crazy and wiggly dog off the line, has been standing out and is confidently pulling his younger co-leaders in the correct direction when given commands. The other shining leader is Havak, Keira’s 8 year old dog, who just started learning how to lead 10 months ago, and won the Yukon Quest for Keira in lead. Havak has been practicing his new skill of single leading (photo #2), and is doing very well.
Overall, all dogs having been doing great, and Ida and Keira are really excited to see what’s in store for them this season, and are eager to bring the team out on some amazing adventures when the snow flies!

To get involved and sponsor one of our dogs, please head to trailbreakerkennel.com to learn more

10/14/2026

Plumb Bob, Scooch and Teak make a powerful little team!

10/12/2026

Katrina is working with our yearlings this fall. The Movement litter is about 1.5 years old and they are learning a lot of new things out on the trail, running with experienced older dogs that show the young pups what to do. The yearlings have been learning their Gee (right) and Haw (left) commands, and how to go through some open water. Some of them are picking it up faster than others, but all are doing great.

The yearlings have been getting a lot of time in multiple positions to see where they really thrive and enjoy the job. Skipper has been showing a lot of intelligence by understanding gee/haw commands very quickly. He gets a bit distracted out on the trail, but is still keeping his line tight and moving forward.
Katrina is excited to see how these young dogs grow, learn and mature into their role on the team, with the help of the older dogs of course! If you’re interested in sponsoring any of the dogs on the “yearling team”, head over to Trailbreakerkennel.com for more info!

10/07/2026

Tekla has been working with yearling Scooch on finding her confidence and focus in a harness, and in lead at that! They’re making amazing progress and it’s so fun to see Scooch maturing and learning the ropes as a sled dog.

10/06/2026

Sweet ladies Dollie and Lydia loves a good fall training run! ✨

10/05/2026

Fall training is in full swing here at Trail Breaker Kennel as we get ready for our upcoming winter season! With that, sponsorships for this season are open! If you are interested in learning more about our athletes or becoming a part of the Trail Breaker Kennel community, head over to our website to learn more about sponsoring a dog for the 2026-2027 season!

Address

2743 Trail Breaker Lane
Fairbanks, AK
99709

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday	8:30am - 8:30pm
Sunday	8:30am - 8:30pm

Telephone

+19073477274

Website

http://trailbreakerkennel.com/

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