Last winter we were back to normal after the pandemic. The 22/23 season back to normal.

There is one change we can see. It is a small gradually change in our customers. And we like it!

Ethical animal experiences are more important. That is why we will now answer some of the most asked questions we get from our guests.

Over the last years more and more people ask us about the welfare of sleddogs, and if dogsledding is something the dogs really like to do.

Our guests also ask what the dogs are doing in the summer, and what happens to older dogs.

At Team Lyngen the dogs are living in yards. With their own house. No dogs attached to chains here! even though this is still legal in Norway. We even take the collars off when at home.

We have a big open fenced-in yard where the dogs are let out to run free, be social and play. Every day. In this way they get activity in the 3 months it is to warm to run them in front of a sled or wagon.

All our 20 dogs play together. All are good friends. Young and old, Huskies, Nomi, Elsa, and sometimes visiting dogs. On warm days the dogs play slow and we even mount the garden hose to spray water in the air for them to cool in. Our water supply comes from the many rainy days and melting snow in the mountains. Absolutely no risk of water shortage.

We believe this is important for the team spirit, and it is fun for them. They also get to use their body language to communicate and build relations to each other. In this way we avoid fights and misunderstandings between the dogs. They even get safer and more confident whenever they meet other dogs, and humans.

The last 2 years, 4 of our older dogs have passed away. 3 of 8 siblings born in 2009 and our white dog, Ginkgo. Also born in 2009.

Koia, our king, Kiara, our queen, Niva and Ginkgo all got cancer and then complications. The 5 seniors we still have get older, and are not doing any sledding any more. We did it a few times this winter, but even though they did a couple of kilometres in a good way, we could see that the motivation was not there.14 year old dogs are like 80 year old humans. They like to take things slow and do their own things.

The wheel of life is spinning too fast sometimes. A husky can stay healthy for 15 years, even after a life as a sleddog. However, cancer is something that can come after 10 years old. In these sad moments when dogs cross over the Northern Lights bridge, we always ask ourselves what we could have done better for them.

One of our older dogs are now a family dog. Buster retired 5 years ago as a reward for being the best dog. We get pictures weekly. No doubt about him having a good life! If somebody we find suitable for it want a senior as a family dog, it is fine too.

The youngest dogs here are now 2,5 year old, and the adults and main leaders are 5. They are now the 12 active dogs. Our 13 year old brown and white Diko is still going strong with a body and mind as a young dog, and Elsa at 12 also go in the team whenever she like to.

They all do well, and if you wonder if they like what they do, come and have a look! 🙂

The good thing about Team Lyngen not having an online booking system, is that even though you have to write that email to teamlyngen@gmail.com , you don’t have to pre pay, and if the situation change and you have to cancel, you don’t risk your money or have to argue with your travel insurance… Welcome to get an experience far away from mass tourism!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates. You can also book by the Chat there. Even on Whattsapp you find us.