These are the dogs of Points Unknown Kennel. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to read about the Dogs in Need.




The name Icoa came from a gourmet Venezuelan white chocolate bar! Off the trail she would much rather curl up in your lap than take part in the pack politics. But watch out because she is a focused and serious worker on the trail! When she wants to get going she will likely be seen her jumping straight up in the air with a huge smile on her face.
Inuit Dog 07/14/03 Point/Wheel/Team



Icoa had six black and white pups on June 28, 2005. There were three males and three females. Ilu, which means "black frost" in Inuktitut, is the pup calling Points Unknown his home. He is a very easy going, well behaved boy which is very unusual for an Inuit Dog! We'll take it! Three of his littermates are the foundation bloodlines for an Inuit Dog Recovery Program, Qimmiit Itirtut in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik. Ilu is a sweet teddy bear of a dog and likes to be a prankster. When working, all the goofiness stops and he his all business.
Inuit Dog 06/28/05 Point/Wheel/Team


Photo by Neil Slaughter

Isis is the name of a Greek goddess. She sometimes liked to sneak in a Sunday walk in harness if she got bored but the minute she was needed because things get challenging, she was right there. At her age and experience, she deserves a Sunday walk if she wants one! Isis retired at the age of ten during the 2007 fall and winter season. Her age and Hypothyroidism made it difficult for her to enjoy more intense runs. She will continue to run on a more leisurely basis, as long as she likes.
Inuit Dog 06/10/98 Retired



Journey and her four litter mates were born on May 31, 2007. She just joined Points Unknown Kennel in early August when we made the "Journey" to Alaska to bring her home. She was an independent and confident pup and we knew she would make an excellent leader with proper training. Last winter she showed us what she had in her while spending all of her time up in lead with either Phoenix or Klaus. She isn't the least bit daunted by open country leading on an expansive lake and enjoys every minute of it!
Half Hedlund Husky 05/31/07 Lead



Klaus just looked like a Klaus. Zulu is his father and he is a brother to Sweet Pea and Bazil. Klaus has become an excellent leader like his dad. His open country leader skills are amazing and he turns on a dime, again just like dad. When in lead, he never stops pulling and rarely looks back except for the occasional glance to make sure he is doing what he is supposed to be doing. In harness he is quite serious and has no time for fun and games. Off the trail he is quirky, goofy and always trying to get his sister, Sweet Pea, to play.
Alaskan Husky 08/05/02 Lead



McKenzie is Journey's dad. He joined us here at Points Unknown the beginning of April 2007. We sure are exciting about our new addition! McKenzie is a deep line Hedlund Husky. McKenzie is a sweet boy that gets along with the other dogs, doesn't make a sound and is quite the gentleman . He is a cherished part of the Points Unknown team and did an excellent job for us last winter!
Hedlund Husky 08/01/2001 Point/Wheel



Oken is from the recent Tuloon/Bazil litter. He is a Zulu grandson and a nephew to Sweet Pea and Klaus. His name came about while driving on the Gunflint Trail and noticing a sign for a place called Okontoe that gives sleigh rides. A little modification and you have Oken! This long-legged guy is extremely attentive, sweet and playful. He has a bit of the cautiousness from the Hedlund line and if everything checks out, he's right in the middle of it all. He loves to explore and you'll find him with the group for a bit then off on his own mission he goes. He has a nice dense winter coat. Oken has long legs and a long body, taking after both lines. When tried in harness for very short puppy runs, Oken proved to be a solid puller with a willingness to be up in lead. This past winter he spent much of his time up in lead with Klaus. Agility class is in his future to help build more confidence. As for being eager to please, you don't get any better then Oken!
Half Hedlund Husky 09/26/07 Lead/Point



Phoenix means "a person or thing so excellent as to have no equal or match". We thought this fitting of a foundation male of our Hedlund Husky line. Phoenix arrived from Alaska at the beginning of February 2006. He was an independent pup but made eye contact often as if looking for direction. Quite laid back, he is accepting of new dogs, new people and new situations. He seems very much like an "old soul". At 10 months old when put up in lead, Phoenix showed all the signs of being a great leader. Last season he proved himself in lead and was one of our main leaders. Open country became second nature for him.
Hedlund Husky 11/18/05 Lead



Sweet Pea is Zulu’s daughter and a sister to Klaus and Bazil. She lives up to her name but don’t let this sweet girl fool you. She has been known to give an Inuit Dog a piece of her mind if annoyed! She is a serious worker on the trail. In the off season, she would be happy to play the role of a couch potato. We just can't resist her "I'll do anything for you" look.
Alaskan Husky 08/05/02 Any position


Photo by Neil Slaughter

Tukisi means “the one who understands” in Inuktitut. He came to the kennel as an adult and we were happy to see that he is all business on the trail. The funny prankster in him comes out when the business suit comes off. He is quite the lover and can easily get your attention with those big brown eyes. Tuki retired at the age of nine during the fall/winter 2007 season. His age and hypothyroidism weren't allowing him to enjoy the more demanding runs. He will continue to go on shorter fun runs until he chooses otherwise.
Inuit Dog 04/04/99 Retired


Tuloon left lead with kids Oken in lead and Zala in wheel

Tuloon is a Hedlund Husky. Her name came about while listening to a small town Alaska radio station on the trip to bring her home. The announcer was reading messages from loved ones to people living in the bush. This particular greeting was to someone’s “Tuloon Child”. It just stuck! She sustained a leg trauma as a pup requiring stainless steel pins through her leg attached to graphite rods on each side of her leg for stability and extensive therapy. She seems to have made a full recovery and doesn't hesitate to voice her discontent if she thinks she might be left behind that run. She bounds through deep snow like a deer and breaks a good trail for a girl her size. She produced some amazing puppies in September of 2007 and recently gave birth to her second and last litter of beautiful puppies! She is a main leader in one of the Points Unknown teams.
Hedlund Husky 06/16/04 Lead



Zala is from the recent Tuloon/Bazil litter. She is a granddaughter to Zulu and a niece to Sweet Pea and Klaus. Zala's name just came about while trying to find a "Z" name to carry along with the Zulu line. (We made it up!) She is a little firecracker, always on the run. She seems to always make us laugh with her antics. She, like Oken, has long legs and a long body. Her coat is dense and longer than that of her two brothers'. Zala proved to be the most exuberant in harness during our short puppy runs. Like her mom, Tuloon, she bounds through deep snow like a deer. This winter she spend most of her time in point position and when tried in lead did a wonderful job but lacked focus on the longer runs. She's still a puppy so we're sure she that as she matures, her leader skills will improve.
Half Hedlund Husky 09/26/07 Point/Lead


Photo by Neil Slaughter

Zodi is one of three pups that stayed at Points Unknown from the recent Tuloon/Bazil litter. He is Zulu's grandson and Sweet Pea and Klaus' nephew. Zodi's name came about when looking for "Z" names to pass down with the Zulu line. This big guy is very bold, curious and very much a thinker. You wouldn't think a bold puppy would be a mamma's boy, but he is. He is very attached to me and gets worried when he thinks I don't see him and aren't giving him enough attention. Zodi has long legs and a more compact body. He and grandpa Zulu have the same facial markings. When being tried in harness on puppy runs he was the most calm of all pups. He pulled hard and when we stopped he laid down and waited. Being in lead seemed to be second nature for him. Zodiak spent much of the winter in wheel and point position last season. When he gains a bit more focus as he matures, he will be placed in lead.
Half Hedlund Husky 09/26/07 Any Position



Zulu came to the kennel at the age of five. What a great name! Zu is a magnificent open country leader. This dog will turn on a dime almost before the command is spoken. Zu has saved the team from open water. He has navigated safely through rocky, steep and narrow tree lined trails and he has kept the team in line on glare ice. This is an amazing dog. He is an affectionate dog and would rather be relaxing by my side than hanging out with the other dogs. There are no words that could do Zulu justice. Zulu fully retired last season when his arthritis wouldn't allow him to pull in harness more than 100 yards. He doesn't seem to miss it though, as long has he can be by my side in the house.
Alaskan Husky 06/17/96 Retired Leader



Copper's color made his name an obvious choice. This 12lb daschund/poodle mix was found wandering through traffic in a neighborhood in Minneapolis in late 2001. This little three legged guy found his place in our hearts and has been here ever since. He goes on every excursion to the cabin with the sled dogs wearing his little coat and boots. Copper loves the snowmobile ride in as his little head pokes out of my jacket. Of course, socializing with the sled dogs is not a good idea so he basks in the sun in the corner chair of the cabin, taunting them from afar.
Daschund/Poodle Est.01/2001 Mascot



Blue came with his name. He was rescued by an organization that found him in a shed in Wisconsin with 17 other small dogs. They were all petrified of people and terribly neglected. His name became Blueberry after thoughts of the Points Unknown cabin in the late summer where Blueberries grow in abundance. This 22lb King Charles Spaniel/Sheltie/Daschund mix has come a long way with his socialization and will happily greet visitors. He is currently doing his part as another Points Unknown Sled Dog Team mascot to help socialize the new puppies.
A nice mix. Est.04/2004 Mascot














Unfortunately, at times we run across traditional sled dogs in need of a new home. Many times it is because they are too slow, too aggressive or just not considered an asset anymore to the kennel, by the previous owner. These kinds of dogs can change drastically if placed in the appropriate kennel situation for them. "Slow" dogs are merely just traditional sled dogs that need to be doing what they were build to do; pull heavy loads slowly in an adventure kennel and not a racing kennel or one that desires faster dogs. "Aggressive" dogs sometimes merely need to be placed in a new situation where they may be given the special one on one attention they have been asking for all along by "acting out". Below are such dogs. All very special and unique in their own ways and all very deserving of a home where they can be considered as such, these dogs will surely thrive if given a new beginning. If you are interested in any of these dogs please contact us for more information and an adoption application at:

Points Unknown
P.O. Box 111, Watertown, MN 55388
612.327.6965
linda@points-unknown.com

Anyone interested in adopting these working freight sled dogs must be familiar with northern breed dogs and have an active outdoor lifestyle.














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Copyright 2005-2007 Points Unknown LLC - Watertown, MN 55388 - 612.327.6965 - linda@points-unknown.com