Trail Breaker Kennel

Trail Breaker Kennel 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.

12/24/2024

Christmas Eve sunrise on the Tanana River! We are open for dog sled rides this holiday season. Book your adventure today at trailbreakerkennel.com

12/22/2024

Live footage from Tekla Butcher-Monson on the 2024 20-Mile Solstice Relay! Thank you Two Rivers Dog Mushers for putting on this fun event!

With the holidays coming up, we are in full swing with sled rides. We will be open for rides all day, every day through ...
12/19/2024

With the holidays coming up, we are in full swing with sled rides. We will be open for rides all day, every day through the holidays - first tour starting at 11am and the last for the day starting at 3pm.
Come join us! Reserve your spot by visiting trailbreakerkennel.com or give us a ring at 907-347-7274!

December brings short days, but we cherish these days of beautiful sunrises and sunsets. That sunshine hits differently ...
12/09/2024

December brings short days, but we cherish these days of beautiful sunrises and sunsets. That sunshine hits differently this time of year!

Our dogs and mushers are staying busy with training and tours. Pictured is Katrina’s team. If you’re a dog sponsor, you might recognize one of these dogs?!
Indy Mofarah
Jibe Trout
Wookie Lady
Frank Bolt
Nimbus Dale
Havak Steese

If you’d like to support our dogs and mushers this season, you can sign up to be a dog sponsor via trailbreakerkennel.com!

Dogs out on a training run with our kennel manager Elena this afternoon - these winter sunsets are so beautiful!
12/05/2024

Dogs out on a training run with our kennel manager Elena this afternoon - these winter sunsets are so beautiful!

Our young, up and coming team members, 6 month old Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Bennet are all smiles after a run.
12/04/2024

Our young, up and coming team members, 6 month old Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Bennet are all smiles after a run.

Nimbus, Jibe and the rest of us here at Trail Breaker Kennel are enjoying winter trails and we hope that you will join u...
12/03/2024

Nimbus, Jibe and the rest of us here at Trail Breaker Kennel are enjoying winter trails and we hope that you will join us for a sled ride this winter!

We’re open for winter tours and we would love to see you join us and our lovely dogs for a sled ride! For more informati...
11/27/2024

We’re open for winter tours and we would love to see you join us and our lovely dogs for a sled ride!

For more information - send us a message or check our website trailbreakerkennel.com. Reserve your spot today!

11/23/2024

Meet Anna Westfall, the newest musher at Trail Breaker Kennel! Anna has worked at TBK during summer tour events for the past two seasons, and now she is ready to hop on the runners and help train teams in the winter. Here is Anna out on a short puppy run with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy! Anna is looking forward to running in her first race this year, the 2025 T-Dog 50!

Speaking of the Lady pups being ready to join the adult dogs in harness - can you spot the two puppies in Keira’s team?!...
11/21/2024

Speaking of the Lady pups being ready to join the adult dogs in harness - can you spot the two puppies in Keira’s team?!

We are getting ready to bring our first guests of the winter out for sled rides - check availability and book your tour now at trailbreakerkennel.com!

Big day at TBK - our Lady puppies have their own name magnets! What do we use these for you ask.. These name magnets are...
11/20/2024

Big day at TBK - our Lady puppies have their own name magnets!

What do we use these for you ask.. These name magnets are used to make teams for training and racing. This means our puppies are getting ready to get into a harness and join our adult dogs on the trails. Exciting times!

It might not be much, but it’s still SNOW! Collins and his siblings out for a romp enjoying winter’s arrival.
10/11/2024

It might not be much, but it’s still SNOW! Collins and his siblings out for a romp enjoying winter’s arrival.

Old Steese! Did you know that he’s part of the Fairbanks streets litter? His litter mates are Dale, Airport Industrial (...
10/11/2024

Old Steese!
Did you know that he’s part of the Fairbanks streets litter? His litter mates are Dale, Airport Industrial (usually called “Indy”), Farmer (after Farmer’s Loop) and Cushman (who now lives with ).

Anna Marie and puppies enjoying a cool fall hike.
10/10/2024

Anna Marie and puppies enjoying a cool fall hike.

Snow! Finally! Farmer and Caliper in lead.
10/09/2024

Snow! Finally!

Farmer and Caliper in lead.

Ansel and Nora leading a team during a fall training run. While we wait for snow and breaking out the sleds, these train...
10/09/2024

Ansel and Nora leading a team during a fall training run. While we wait for snow and breaking out the sleds, these training runs with a side by side do the trick!

10/08/2024

You might be wondering what our puppies are up to these days?!
At 4 1/2 months old they are getting big and FAST, and while they’re not quite ready to get their harness on and join our adult dogs for training runs just yet we are having so much fun getting out on hikes and four wheeler rides (puppies running free alongside the ATV) with them.

This video shows you a glimpse of their athleticism, speed and JOY as they’re coming back home from a free run with our crew member Anna Marie!

We are so proud of Susan Butcher’s daughter, Tekla, for making her Fairbanks directorial debut with Pirates of Penzance:...
10/05/2024

We are so proud of Susan Butcher’s daughter, Tekla, for making her Fairbanks directorial debut with Pirates of Penzance: Spring Break! Tekla has loved theatre and performance since she was a child. Susan and David always encouraged her to chase her dreams and find her passion.

Join us for a swashbuckling good time as Tekla brings her unique vision to this classic operetta, blending the 90s with timeless pirate fun. Fairbanks folks can catch the performances at UAF’s Salisbury Theater from October 4-13.

From the trails to the stage, we're always excited to see the amazing things our team members accomplish. Enjoy this throwback photo of one of Tekla's earliest living room performances with Tekla's mother Susan, friend Dr. Molly Yazwinski and younger sister Choochy!

Big shout out to the other mushers who helped bring this show to life. ATAO Kennel, H***y Tonk Kennel & our very own Katrina Handler from TBK!

Address

5880 Airport Industrial Road
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

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Videos

Christmas Eve sunrise on the Tanana River! We are open for dog sled rides this holiday season. Book your adventure today at trailbreakerkennel.com

How to read trail markers on a race! Tekla Butcher-Monson explains during the 2024 20-mile Solstice Relay put on by the Two Rivers Dog Mushers!

Live footage from Tekla Butcher-Monson on the 2024 20-Mile Solstice Relay! Thank you Two Rivers Dog Mushers for putting on this fun event!

Meet Anna Westfall, the newest musher at Trail Breaker Kennel! Anna has worked at TBK during summer tour events for the past two seasons, and now she is ready to hop on the runners and help train teams in the winter. Here is Anna out on a short puppy run with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy! Anna is looking forward to running in her first race this year, the 2025 T-Dog 50!

You might be wondering what our puppies are up to these days?! At 4 1/2 months old they are getting big and FAST, and while they’re not quite ready to get their harness on and join our adult dogs for training runs just yet we are having so much fun getting out on hikes and four wheeler rides (puppies running free alongside the ATV) with them. This video shows you a glimpse of their athleticism, speed and JOY as they’re coming back home from a free run with our crew member Anna Marie!

Happy dogs cooling off and enjoying a drink during a recent training run.

It may be fall and winter may be knocking on our door with temperatures dipping down into the low 20s during parts of the day, but rest assured that doesn’t get in the way of us enjoying a good beach party with our canine team members!

Happy October! We are starting out the month with a frosty morning run in the company of our best friends.

Elena heading out for a training run on a great fall morning.

Scorpio (right) and Virgo (left) bikejoring in Denali in 2023! These beautiful boys are up for adoption!

Malcolm, Phelps, Slim, Dollie, Tuna, Jibe and Old Steese ready for the Riverboat Discovery.

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Welcome to Trail Breaker Kennel

Family owned and operated since 1976, Trail Breaker Kennel is one of the longest operating kennels in Alaska. The kennel was founded in Eureka, Alaska by the late Susan Butcher, a four-time Iditarod champion, and David Monson, her husband, and Yukon Quest champion. Built on a reputation of exemplary dog care and hard work, Trail Breaker Kennel became the premier racing kennel in the world. In 1990, Susan and David purchased property in Fairbanks, Alaska, and established Trail Breaker Kennel on the banks of the Chena River.

Today, David, his two daughters, and dedicated staff members provide visitors from around the world a look at the lives of mushers and Alaskan huskies in Interior Alaska. For over 20 years, Trail Breaker Kennel has been a favorite stop on the Riverboat Discovery tour. Kennel tours, dog sled rides, and other custom tours are offered seasonally. We hope to see you on your adventure in the Last Frontier!

A Message from Trail Breaker Kennel on COVID-19

The health and safety of our staff, huskies, visitors, and community have always been our top priority. Due to COVID-19, we are implementing new policies to ensure the safety of our guests and staff at the kennel. We will continue to monitor the situation and make any necessary changes to follow all Alaska state and federal mandates.