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 just over 60 sled dogs, some of which are rescue and second chance and others are part of our selective breeding program. To generate the revenue 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 winter season our mushers use traditional sleds. During the snowless 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, snowless months. Establishing Raft NH also enabled us to provide year-round guiding opportunities for our mushers (if you have joined us in the winter 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 same high standards he has practiced for nearly 20 years. Raft NH currently offers mild Class II to wild Class IV rafting adventures for those ages 6+. Every year our guests express interest in joining us on new and exciting adventures; for the summer 2015 season we will be conducting moose tours and sunset pontoon boat tours.
In 2013 we formed the NH Sled Dog Rescue, History and Education Center which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity that focuses on taking in rescue and second chance sled dogs, providing education to the public about northern breed dogs, preserving NH’s rich dog sledding history and finding furrever homes for the sled dogs in our adoption program.