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October 17, 2015 by

Quito needs no introduction.

Quito is awarded the 2013 Yukon Quest Golden Harness.

But… for anyone new to SP Kennel or the Dog Log here is a quick refresher: Quito is AWESOME. She is a 2 time Golden Harness winner, Yukon Quest Champion lead dog (twice), Iditarod 2nd Place lead dog (three times), numerous times Copper Basin 300 Champion and she is also a really, really cool dog. Quito turned 9 years old this summer and Aliy and Allen had to make a decision: bred the ‘Best Sled Dog in the World’ or train her up as a mature dog and give her one more chance to win it all again at 9 1/2 years old.

Well, the answer didn’t come easily because her breeding cycle wasn’t due until August. That would mean that she would have pups in October – missing the entire fist half of the training season and setting her back as far as racing in 2016. Finally, the decision came down to health and age. The older a female becomes, the harder it is for her to whelp and raise a healthy litter of puppies and remain healthy herself in the long run. So, they decided that it would be a crime to NOT have Quito puppies this year.

After that, the hardest thing was finding a suitable mate. Who do you bred to Quito? Allen and Aliy wanted to keep the smaller, ‘happy-go-lucky’, dedicated attitude in this breeding. There are many, many studs out there to choose from… who would be perfect?

They found: Kosak. He lives at Joar Ulsom’s kennel in Willow, Alaska. Both Aliy and Allen have raced against Joar (and Kosak) since 2012. Both musher and dog have been very successful in the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod (Yukon Quest 6th place 2012; Iditarod 7th place 2013, 4th place 2014, 6th place 2015.) Joar raised Kosak and his sister, Sivo, and they have been an important part of his team since he began racing in Alaska. What Aliy and Allen liked the most, was how dedicated these dogs were to their musher. Joar describes Kosak as “honest and passionate, a very enthusiastic dog who is ever loyal to me.” Aliy remembers seeing Sivo, a tiny little girl, running in single lead through some of the most challenges trail sections on Iditarod. Both dogs are incredibly tough. It seemed to Aliy and Allen that this family of dogs had a resume that meshed with Quito’s.

Kosak’s glamour shot; the best ‘body shot’ but notice his tail still wagging.

But what about their pedigree? Pedigree’s aren’t everything but it sure would be nice to have some ‘icing on the cake’. They got it with Kosak. As it turns out, Kosak’s father is ChaCha’s brother, Lindy. Not only would the puppies have Quito’s genetics, but they would have ChaCha’s genetics as well. Quito and Kosak only bred once in mid August. But once was all that was needed!

One week ago Quito whelped seven healthy babies (4 females and 3 males.) Here is a first glimpse:

Needless to say, everyone is very, very excited about this litter. In exchange for breeding Kosak, Joar will get a puppy at 8 weeks of age. It is undetermined yet which pup that will be. This was an agreement made prior to the breeding. This is the “Golden Harness” litter and currently only a few of the little ones have names. We will update you regularly.

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28 Responses

  • The BEST surprise ever. She is the sweetest mom. Congratulations SPK! and Quito and Kosak and Joar.

  • Wow! This is so awesome. I just know I'm getting closer to the top of the sponser waiting list. 🙂
    Sweet for the future of SPKennel…

    Yay Quito…what are the golden harness names going to be…hmmm

  • WOW! What a wonderful surprise! I was so excited when Olivia had puppies but now Quito too! It's going to be so fun to watch them grow up!

  • Woohooooo! Yay Quito-momma! This is wonderful news! Can't imagine a better way to celebrate Alaska Day today, with puppy news! Seven little golden harness pups, what joy, and what a fantastic gift to the future of sleddogs. Happy birthday little ones, good girl momma dog!

  • Puppies galore! Super fantastic news!

    I saw the video on YouTube this morning and couldn't wait for the full scoop.

    Such a great story. Thank you for sharing the process. What a bright future for SPK Kennel. Congratulations! It is so much fun being a fan!

  • Nice one Aliy & Allen & Quito & Kosak. Joar will be a lucky musher with any of the litter I think. There are lots of names for a Golden Litter 🙂 If you need any help just ask there are lots of us with lots of Ideas I'm sure.
    Mush on

  • That are great news! Congratulations to Quito and Kosak. If you still need a name for one of the boys, I might could help you to find one. I personally think it would be great to name one of the dogs after Fili the dwarf from The Hobbit. Fili is very loyal, and you wrote that Kosak is loyal so there is a chance that also the puppies are loyal, so that would be perfect. And dwarves also like gold, so this would be good for the Golden Harmess Litter. This might is a weird suggestion, but it would be great if a puppy of my favorite Dog of your kennel is named after my favorite character from The Hobbit. And it might be easier for you to find names 🙂
    Warmest regards
    Sarah

  • HOORAY!!! Congratulations! Quito looks so proud of her pups…and Kosak is so handsome in his glamour shot. Can't wait to see those champion racing genes show through in a couple of years. SPK is a busy place right now. Thanks for taking the time to share the great new.

  • Couldn't happen to a nicer team than Aily and Allen! Best of good health to all of you and maybe one pup could have a Norwegian name🐶

  • OMG!!! You guys played your cards very, very close to the chest!!! Congratulations sweet Quito!!! You are such an extraordinary pup!!! And such a great Mommy!!! I love you girl!!! And congratulations to all of you at SPK!!! ❤️💙❤️👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🎆🎆🎆

  • OMG This is just toooo awesome news! Two fantabulous litters in one season even if they are late is just stupendous. Quito is such an incredible girl and the daddy here sounds like an amazing guy too. Well done and beaming happy! Can't wait to learn more about these babies. Woofies and more woofies.

  • Aw!
    Congratulations Quito, Kosak, Aliy, Allen, and Joar, a win win for everyone!!!!

    Just warn those pups….Aliy is not about to take a break at the top of Little McKinley, and I bet Joar won't either once Quito's pup is on his team.

    Super fantastic news.
    🙂

  • Thanks so much for this wonderful surprise!!!

    Imagine the possibilities: four females just like Quito – to lead four winning teams (or three if the breeding fee puppy choice works that way)…which I assume will be what happens – but hey – what do I know???

    And a new set of genes in the pool for SP Kennel. One male might be named "Thor" another "Zeus" and the third, if he looks like his mommy, "Adonis."

    Best,

    Margaret

  • Wow! What surprise! Just as I was celebrating the Coffee Litter, here comes Quito and her babies! I'm so happy for all involvd. It's so evident that that you are extremely careful and thoughtful in continuing the SP Kennel legacy. I see some fantastic dogs and winners in your future! Congratulations, Quito! You are, indeed, awesome!

  • Yippee! Congratulations to Joar, Aliy and Allen and of course the proud parents. Chipper has new baby brothers and sisters to play with and help train in the future. Wishes to both new litters for happy healthy growing days. Cant wait to see them.
    Padee McCrery
    Fairbanks Alaska starting tomorrow!

  • The Golden Harness Litter…..Congrats!! 7 healthy pups with 6 staying at SPK…..that's a boat load of puppy talent added to SPK!! So glad to hear the news!! Must be hard to head off every day and train when you could instead stay home and watch the puppies!! Those puppies are sure cute…..we LOVED the video…..Quito is an awesome Mom!

  • Quito, you give us the best surprises! What an exciting love match between Kosak and Quito given the Cha-Cha connection. To all the SP family, Joar and his fine man Kosak- howling congratulations!

    Holly

  • That is wonderful news and quite the surprise! Congratulations to Quito and SPKennel! She looks so proud of her puppies. I am anxious to hear what their names will be.

  • Congratulations!!!
    So glad you were able to find Quito a suitable mate, and improve your bloodlines. Ali you are my all time favorite musher and my Idol, I hope to run dogs as well as you in the future. I wish you the best of luck with these amazing looking pups. Can't wait to watch you guys kill it on the trail again this year and to see these puppies continue your excellence in the future. Again wow! These puppies are sure to be amazing! I'm so happy for the kennel, good luck!
    -Hannah Keefe

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