If you had a chance to listen to an Iditarod Insider interview with Anna from just before the race started, you heard her say for herself that this year’s dog team is the best yet from a competitive standpoint. I agree wholeheartedly. Not only did the dogs gets hundreds of miles of training runs, they also ran nearly 900 miles worth of mid-distances races. Anna’s team is predominantly Seeing Double dogs (13 of the 16), most of which travelled the trail to Nome with either Kristy or Anna in recent years. So the team is also predominantly Iditarod veterans. Only 4 pups are Iditarod rookies.
Each dog is in peak health and fitness, and the average age of Anna’s team at 5 years puts them firmly into their strongest racing years. She has two 3 year olds and one 4 year old as the youngest dogs, one 7 year old and one 9 year old on the other end. All the rest are either 5 or 6. Anna has 10 male dogs and 6 females on the trail with her this year. They range in size from roughly 47 to 72 pounds.
This amazing pack of dogs features 6 proven leaders, and another 5 that are excellent lead copilots. A wheel dog specialist, cheerleader, motivational eater, and poster dog for work ethic. The goofball. The mischievous chewer.
I think Anna is going to have a lot of fun with these dogs on the trail this year. Keep reading to learn about all sixteen of Anna’s canine athletes.
Diego is a 5 year old male and Seeing Double dog. He is also an Iditarod veteran who has run on Anna’s team in the past. Anna described Diego as a bit insane ~ like a 3 year old kid running around at top speed with scissors in one hand and a very mischievous look on his face. He’s a loud dog with plenty to say, but it’s upbeat noise coming from this wiggly, happy dog. Despite all of that, Diego can really focus and get down to business out on the trail. Which is good, as he is one of Anna’s go-to leaders.
Shoshanna is a 7 year old female and Iditarod veteran. She has never run the Iditarod with the twins until this year, though, as she just joined the kennel last summer. Shoshanna fancies herself the Queen Bee on the team and has very strong opinions on who she should run with on the line, with her preference being strongly for the handsome boy dogs…! But once paired with the right running mate, Shoshanna is a very strong lead dog.
Maverick is a 3 year old male making his rookie run to Nome. He is also a Seeing Double dog. Not only is he a very handsome pup, he’s super energetic, happy, and is gaining more and more confidence with each mile he runs on the trail. He is a very promising youngster that will copilot in lead with the right seasoned veteran.
Ruckus is a 6 year old male and Iditarod veteran, having run in the Iditarod with the twins in the past. He is a Seeing Double dog and part of the infamous “Trouble Litter”. His siblings Mayhem, Havoc, and Rampage are all on the team this year, which goes to show these pups are all sorts of Good Trouble! Ruckus is the hardest working dog on the team and the biggest, putting all 70+ pounds into an unparalleled work ethic.
Mayhem is a 6 year old female and Iditarod veteran. As noted above, she is a Seeing Double dog and part of the Trouble Litter. In Mayhem’s case, though, that really couldn’t be farther from the truth. Anna described her as the sweetest girl on the team. She is happy to run with anyone in the pack and is one of Anna’s bread-and-butter leaders. She is also a great role model in lead, happy to show younger leaders-in-training the ropes. Mayhem was in dual lead with her brother Havoc at the restart this year.
Astro is a Seeing Double dog and Iditarod veteran. He’s 4 years old, going on 5, but that doesn’t stop him from being a bit goofy. He often runs with his tail wagging enthusiastically in the air and is very versatile when it comes to positions he will run on the team.
Albert is a 5 year old male and Seeing Double dog. Much like Shoshanna, Albert is an Iditarod veteran, just not with the twins. They acquired Albert last spring and he has prior Iditarod experience with the likes of Ryan Redington and Wade Marrs. He’s got the most adorable floppy ears and claims the best appetite award on the team. He is, frankly, a royal pig when it comes to food and for an Iditarod dog, that is a fantastic trait to have. Albert is also a solid lead dog copilot when paired with the right companion at the front of the line.
Platinum, as her name suggests, is certainly worth her weight in gold. She’s a 5 year old female and Seeing Double dog. She is also an Iditarod veteran, having run on Anna’s team last year and with Nic Petit before joining the twins. She is the largest female on the team and has a unique voice. If she’s doing the talking, you’ll know it. And she talks a lot, including when she is running. She is also a great copilot lead dog when paired with the right key leader.
Zwickelbier, or Zwickel, is a 5 year old male Seeing Double dog (he was part of the Oktoberfest litter) and an Iditarod veteran. He made it all the way to Nome on Anna’s team last year. He’s a larger, handsome pup who is some respects may be a little too smart for his own good. He’s very curious, always analyzing whatever is going on around him. And he kinda thinks everything around him is his, and marks it accordingly. He’s got a ton of spunk and Anna says he is the best wheel dog on her team, running in a position immediately in front of her sled. Excelling in wheel requires strength to pull the sled but also a lot of dexterity navigating around the gangline.
Havoc is a 6 year old male and Seeing Double dog, the 3rd member of the Trouble Litter to be introduced this year. He is one of Anna’s key leaders and was paired with Mayhem at the front of the gangline leaving the restart this year. He’s a bit more of a quiet, reserved dog who knows his job and knows his place. He’s one of those dogs you can just let loose when you return to the dog yard after a run, and he’ll go right to his house happily. Anna described him as quiet, confident, and honest. He is also really great for other people to interact with, particularly the veterinarians he meets along the Iditarod trail.
Anvik is a 3 year old female on loan from Travis Beals. She is an Iditarod rookie and is the smallest and youngest dog on Anna’s team. She is working on overcoming some shyness and really seems to shake the shy when she gets an opportunity to copilot in lead. (Note: If you’ve been following the twins for a while, the name Anvik may sound really familiar, but don’t confuse this youngster with a prior dog of the same name. Anvik is one of the checkpoints on the southern Iditarod trail route and possibly becoming the Iditarod Dog equivalent of John Smith!)
Rampage is a 6 year old male and Seeing Double dog, the 4th and final member of the Trouble Litter on Anna’s team this year. He’s an accomplished Iditarod veteran, most recently leading Anna all the way to Nome in 2023. He is the best leader on Anna’s team, whether running in dual lead or leading the charge in single lead. Rampage sets the lead dog bar. He’s the second biggest dog on Anna’s team and the fastest. A great guy to have as a bread-and-butter leader.
Rocky is a 9 year old male on loan from the Redingtons. He’s an Iditarod veteran, running all the way to Nome with Anna last year and with Ellen Redington’s Jr. Iditarod team this year. While he may be the oldest dog on Anna’s team, he has never really grown into a gentleman dog. Anna said he is finally mellowing a bit, but then only a bit. He’s the jerky teenager with an axe to grind who spends too much time in detention. In Rocky’s case, that would be from chewing on his neck line or the gangline when no one is looking. And barking at the top of his lungs like a spitefully cranked stereo system (my ears are still ringing!). Despite a few less than desirable quirks, his love to run and skill on the dog team make him well worth it. Given all you just read, would you guess he’s a great lead dog?!
Trout is a 5 year old female on loan, also from the Redingtons. She is an Iditarod rookie and the newest pup on Anna’s team. Trout’s mom is a big, strong dog and seems to have passed all this potential on to her daughter. Ellen Redington ran Trout on her Jr. Iditarod team this year and was really excited by how she did. Given all of that, Anna is happy to have Trout on the team.
Elmer is a 4 year old male and Seeing Double dog. He is an Iditarod rookie but came very close to making Anna’s team last year. He may seem shy, downright timid, but that’s just like some people who don’t like parties. You get Elmer out for a run and he’s all spice on the gangline. He is also a lead dog in progress, showing good potential as a developing leader.
Fog is a 5 year old female and Seeing Double dog. She’s an Iditarod veteran and the mom of Seeing Doubles “Toy Litter”. She’s a great mom and while none of her pups quite made Anna’s Iditarod team this year, they’re growing up fast and showing great potential. One of Fog’s quirks is that she really doesn’t care for other females for whatever reason. And she apparently can’t stand Drax (another Seeing Double dog), even though he’s a boy. Most people can probably list a person or two that they just can’t tolerate and prefer to avoid. I know this Mad Blogger can. So I certainly won’t hold that against Fog. Her other quirk is that she’s quite the cheerleader. Anna says that Fog will be bark-bark-barking with joy and excitement after running out of a checkpoint. And not just initially, but for upwards of 5 to 7 miles! Maybe that’s what helps her work up such a great appetite. Anna said she can always count on Fog to happily scarf down her meals.
And if this isn't one of the most adorable class photos you've ever seen, may I make a suggestion? Time for an eye doctor appointment.
Each dog is in peak health and fitness, and the average age of Anna’s team at 5 years puts them firmly into their strongest racing years. She has two 3 year olds and one 4 year old as the youngest dogs, one 7 year old and one 9 year old on the other end. All the rest are either 5 or 6. Anna has 10 male dogs and 6 females on the trail with her this year. They range in size from roughly 47 to 72 pounds.
This amazing pack of dogs features 6 proven leaders, and another 5 that are excellent lead copilots. A wheel dog specialist, cheerleader, motivational eater, and poster dog for work ethic. The goofball. The mischievous chewer.
I think Anna is going to have a lot of fun with these dogs on the trail this year. Keep reading to learn about all sixteen of Anna’s canine athletes.
Diego is a 5 year old male and Seeing Double dog. He is also an Iditarod veteran who has run on Anna’s team in the past. Anna described Diego as a bit insane ~ like a 3 year old kid running around at top speed with scissors in one hand and a very mischievous look on his face. He’s a loud dog with plenty to say, but it’s upbeat noise coming from this wiggly, happy dog. Despite all of that, Diego can really focus and get down to business out on the trail. Which is good, as he is one of Anna’s go-to leaders.
Shoshanna is a 7 year old female and Iditarod veteran. She has never run the Iditarod with the twins until this year, though, as she just joined the kennel last summer. Shoshanna fancies herself the Queen Bee on the team and has very strong opinions on who she should run with on the line, with her preference being strongly for the handsome boy dogs…! But once paired with the right running mate, Shoshanna is a very strong lead dog.
Maverick is a 3 year old male making his rookie run to Nome. He is also a Seeing Double dog. Not only is he a very handsome pup, he’s super energetic, happy, and is gaining more and more confidence with each mile he runs on the trail. He is a very promising youngster that will copilot in lead with the right seasoned veteran.
Ruckus is a 6 year old male and Iditarod veteran, having run in the Iditarod with the twins in the past. He is a Seeing Double dog and part of the infamous “Trouble Litter”. His siblings Mayhem, Havoc, and Rampage are all on the team this year, which goes to show these pups are all sorts of Good Trouble! Ruckus is the hardest working dog on the team and the biggest, putting all 70+ pounds into an unparalleled work ethic.
Mayhem is a 6 year old female and Iditarod veteran. As noted above, she is a Seeing Double dog and part of the Trouble Litter. In Mayhem’s case, though, that really couldn’t be farther from the truth. Anna described her as the sweetest girl on the team. She is happy to run with anyone in the pack and is one of Anna’s bread-and-butter leaders. She is also a great role model in lead, happy to show younger leaders-in-training the ropes. Mayhem was in dual lead with her brother Havoc at the restart this year.
Astro is a Seeing Double dog and Iditarod veteran. He’s 4 years old, going on 5, but that doesn’t stop him from being a bit goofy. He often runs with his tail wagging enthusiastically in the air and is very versatile when it comes to positions he will run on the team.
Albert is a 5 year old male and Seeing Double dog. Much like Shoshanna, Albert is an Iditarod veteran, just not with the twins. They acquired Albert last spring and he has prior Iditarod experience with the likes of Ryan Redington and Wade Marrs. He’s got the most adorable floppy ears and claims the best appetite award on the team. He is, frankly, a royal pig when it comes to food and for an Iditarod dog, that is a fantastic trait to have. Albert is also a solid lead dog copilot when paired with the right companion at the front of the line.
Platinum, as her name suggests, is certainly worth her weight in gold. She’s a 5 year old female and Seeing Double dog. She is also an Iditarod veteran, having run on Anna’s team last year and with Nic Petit before joining the twins. She is the largest female on the team and has a unique voice. If she’s doing the talking, you’ll know it. And she talks a lot, including when she is running. She is also a great copilot lead dog when paired with the right key leader.
Zwickelbier, or Zwickel, is a 5 year old male Seeing Double dog (he was part of the Oktoberfest litter) and an Iditarod veteran. He made it all the way to Nome on Anna’s team last year. He’s a larger, handsome pup who is some respects may be a little too smart for his own good. He’s very curious, always analyzing whatever is going on around him. And he kinda thinks everything around him is his, and marks it accordingly. He’s got a ton of spunk and Anna says he is the best wheel dog on her team, running in a position immediately in front of her sled. Excelling in wheel requires strength to pull the sled but also a lot of dexterity navigating around the gangline.
Havoc is a 6 year old male and Seeing Double dog, the 3rd member of the Trouble Litter to be introduced this year. He is one of Anna’s key leaders and was paired with Mayhem at the front of the gangline leaving the restart this year. He’s a bit more of a quiet, reserved dog who knows his job and knows his place. He’s one of those dogs you can just let loose when you return to the dog yard after a run, and he’ll go right to his house happily. Anna described him as quiet, confident, and honest. He is also really great for other people to interact with, particularly the veterinarians he meets along the Iditarod trail.
Anvik is a 3 year old female on loan from Travis Beals. She is an Iditarod rookie and is the smallest and youngest dog on Anna’s team. She is working on overcoming some shyness and really seems to shake the shy when she gets an opportunity to copilot in lead. (Note: If you’ve been following the twins for a while, the name Anvik may sound really familiar, but don’t confuse this youngster with a prior dog of the same name. Anvik is one of the checkpoints on the southern Iditarod trail route and possibly becoming the Iditarod Dog equivalent of John Smith!)
Rampage is a 6 year old male and Seeing Double dog, the 4th and final member of the Trouble Litter on Anna’s team this year. He’s an accomplished Iditarod veteran, most recently leading Anna all the way to Nome in 2023. He is the best leader on Anna’s team, whether running in dual lead or leading the charge in single lead. Rampage sets the lead dog bar. He’s the second biggest dog on Anna’s team and the fastest. A great guy to have as a bread-and-butter leader.
Rocky is a 9 year old male on loan from the Redingtons. He’s an Iditarod veteran, running all the way to Nome with Anna last year and with Ellen Redington’s Jr. Iditarod team this year. While he may be the oldest dog on Anna’s team, he has never really grown into a gentleman dog. Anna said he is finally mellowing a bit, but then only a bit. He’s the jerky teenager with an axe to grind who spends too much time in detention. In Rocky’s case, that would be from chewing on his neck line or the gangline when no one is looking. And barking at the top of his lungs like a spitefully cranked stereo system (my ears are still ringing!). Despite a few less than desirable quirks, his love to run and skill on the dog team make him well worth it. Given all you just read, would you guess he’s a great lead dog?!
Trout is a 5 year old female on loan, also from the Redingtons. She is an Iditarod rookie and the newest pup on Anna’s team. Trout’s mom is a big, strong dog and seems to have passed all this potential on to her daughter. Ellen Redington ran Trout on her Jr. Iditarod team this year and was really excited by how she did. Given all of that, Anna is happy to have Trout on the team.
Elmer is a 4 year old male and Seeing Double dog. He is an Iditarod rookie but came very close to making Anna’s team last year. He may seem shy, downright timid, but that’s just like some people who don’t like parties. You get Elmer out for a run and he’s all spice on the gangline. He is also a lead dog in progress, showing good potential as a developing leader.
Fog is a 5 year old female and Seeing Double dog. She’s an Iditarod veteran and the mom of Seeing Doubles “Toy Litter”. She’s a great mom and while none of her pups quite made Anna’s Iditarod team this year, they’re growing up fast and showing great potential. One of Fog’s quirks is that she really doesn’t care for other females for whatever reason. And she apparently can’t stand Drax (another Seeing Double dog), even though he’s a boy. Most people can probably list a person or two that they just can’t tolerate and prefer to avoid. I know this Mad Blogger can. So I certainly won’t hold that against Fog. Her other quirk is that she’s quite the cheerleader. Anna says that Fog will be bark-bark-barking with joy and excitement after running out of a checkpoint. And not just initially, but for upwards of 5 to 7 miles! Maybe that’s what helps her work up such a great appetite. Anna said she can always count on Fog to happily scarf down her meals.
And if this isn't one of the most adorable class photos you've ever seen, may I make a suggestion? Time for an eye doctor appointment.