Our story
Hello! We are a Kiwi (ish) couple. Steven was born here, but spent many of his formative years overseas. Jules was born in Czech Republic, but has lived in Aotearoa since 2002. We have grown up always surrounded by dogs.
Steven’s first dog of his own was a blue eyed, grey Siberian Husky; Fenrir. Circa 2006 he approached a breeder about finding a dog. The breeder directed him towards a family that was struggling with their pup. Fenrir was 3 or 4 months old, bitey, dominant, and the kids were scared of him. Steven went to see him. Fenrir ran up to him and bit him. You could say it was love at first bite
A year later came Achilles. In 2018, following an 8 week stint with husky sledding team in Avola, BC we felt like 2 huskies were not enough. So in July we got Alecto, and a year later Bjarki. In late 2021, following Fenrir’s untimely death at nearly age 15 we started fostering and Helius temporarily joined our pack. In January 2022 we had to say goodbye to our beautiful girl Alecto as her epilepsy was no longer manageable by medication. At the end of February we were contacted by a lady in a need of a good permanent home for her year and half old husky girl Morrigan (formerly Luna).
Well…. Morrigan went into heat a week after joining us, so we have added four more huskies to the pack, born May 2022. For a while we had a pack of seven - until October, when Achilles passed away aged about 14.5.
Somewhere along that madness we have started working as dog trainers at one of the biggest balanced trainer facilities in the country. In October 2022 we have said goodbye and moved to Whangarei to start the next chapter- opening Smart Dog Kennel and offering balanced training.
A year later came Achilles. In 2018, following an 8 week stint with husky sledding team in Avola, BC we felt like 2 huskies were not enough. So in July we got Alecto, and a year later Bjarki. In late 2021, following Fenrir’s untimely death at nearly age 15 we started fostering and Helius temporarily joined our pack. In January 2022 we had to say goodbye to our beautiful girl Alecto as her epilepsy was no longer manageable by medication. At the end of February we were contacted by a lady in a need of a good permanent home for her year and half old husky girl Morrigan (formerly Luna).
Well…. Morrigan went into heat a week after joining us, so we have added four more huskies to the pack, born May 2022. For a while we had a pack of seven - until October, when Achilles passed away aged about 14.5.
Somewhere along that madness we have started working as dog trainers at one of the biggest balanced trainer facilities in the country. In October 2022 we have said goodbye and moved to Whangarei to start the next chapter- opening Smart Dog Kennel and offering balanced training.
Jules and the kids
Morrigan looks unimpressed
Puppies have no personal space
Father and son (Bjarki & Grim)
Skadi likes being picked up
Meesha made herself a lap dog
Grim is still a baby
Winter Grim blanket
Blossom getting close and personal with Steve
Skadi backpack
Family outing. L-R (Artie, Morri, Bjarki, Grim, Ursa, and Skadi at the back)
Ursa & Steve