Our Golf Litter turns 4 years old today!
Four years ago!
Chipper, Driver, Iron, Sandy, Wedgy and Woody are an interesting mix of their father Biscuit and mother Quito. They are maturing at very different rates and are a mixture of our smallest and biggest dogs! At four years old they are entering their racing prime and we are so excited to see what they have in store for us this coming season.
Chipper is one of our smallest dogs, weighing in at just 34 pounds (15.5 kgs). She is also one of the sassiest and most confident. Chipper surprised everyone this season by running with the “big dogs” in the Copper Basin 300, the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod! She will be an important dog next season. Chipper’s size absolutely stuns many of SP Kennel’s biggest competitors. We have heard comments on the trail like “Does that Chihuahua actually pull?” or “Can you find a harness to fit that runt?” Chipper says that she will answer those silly questions only if they can manage to reach the finish line before her!
Chipper in November 2012 and 2014
Driver is a big lummox and has become one of our largest dogs weighing 62 pounds (28.5 kgs). He might fill out another few pounds for the coming season. Driver certainly grew into his long legs and this season proved he had the determination and drive to finish the Iditarod with the Black Team. Driver was also a key powerhouse on the Yukon Quest 300 and the Copper Basin 300. His nickname is “Driveshaft”… it makes him sound so tough!
Driver in November 2012 and 2014
Iron is built to be a champion. He is solid and strong weighing in at 51 pounds (23 kgs). He learned quite a lot this past season. For example, during his first distance race in January he chewed his harness at the starting line. On his last distance race — Iditarod in March — he trotted under the burled arch in Nome. Now, that’s a learning curve! Iron has one of the highest pitched barks in the yard. Yes… a age 4 years, he still barks like a little yapper dog!
Iron in November 2012 and 2014
Sandy has always been one of the most talented wee girls and was the first of her litter to “make it big” when she made the R&B Team for the Copper Basin 300 in her yearling year. She is very “no-nonsense” dog who enjoys running in the wheel position or near the back of the team. She normally weighs in at just around 40 pounds (18 kgs). She has become Aliy’s ‘go to’ girl and after Iditarod Aliy said they had a heartfelt connection. Sandy doesn’t see her size as a disadvantage and while playing with her neighbor, Mac, she often body slams him on the sly.
Sandy in November 2012 and 2014
Wedgy is waiting for the opportunity to show us all just what she is made of. She is a gorgeous build and is one of the most handsome girls in the yard. Wedgy is honestly the best built dog of the entire litter. She will have this next year to step up and prove that she can do it. We still think that she can! She weighs 47 pounds (21 kgs) and is solid muscle.
Wedgy in November 2012 and 2014
Woody is a sweetheart. Last season he consolidated his lead-dog skills by leading almost all the teams he raced and trained in. We are excited for him for next season. He is one of those dogs that tries just a little too hard all the time and can hurt himself as a result. He’s learning to overcome that with an interesting summer that we’ll tell you about soon. Woody is a leggy, tall dog that doesn’t have the body mass of his brothers. He weighs 54 pounds (24.5 kgs) but could easily weigh 60.
Woody in November 2012 and 2014
Here’s a quick video from November 2012 when Meghan and Moira took Driver, Sandy and Iron, along with Tig the Labrador for a run dos stretch their legs.
Our thanks and appreciation go to all their sponsors: Padee McCrery (Chipper), Sherri Suppelsa (Driver), Crystal and Merwin Ullestad (Iron), Danielle Carver (Sandy), Barb Hartman (Wedgy) and Heidi Phillips (Woody). Also thank you to everyone who has ever joined the Fan Club of one or all of our Golfies.
Happy birthday to the Golfies! Terrific post. Great driving by Ryne in the video; was nervous somebody was going to get run over!
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Thanks so much for these snaps, comparisons, video and most of all a glimpse into the Golf Litter development!!!
Woof, woof, woof!!! Here's to beautiful doggies and SP Kennel!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Gotta love the Golf Litter….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LOL…Chipper did grow into her ears….love her attitude!! She is holding her own for sure! Cant wait to watch these SPK Dogs shine this season….I have always had a soft spot for Woody….hope to see more of him this season!
I never learned to golf…other than putt putt golf of course, but my friends say that doesn't count….but I absolutely love the SPK Golf Litter! Thanks for reminding us of their Bday so we could send a Happy Bday wish…and we loved the side by side pictures showing how they all matured into AWESOME looking Sled Dogs!
You did good Mama Quito and Papa Biscuit!
Yippee! We are the lucky one to have such a great group and kennel to support! Happy Birthday! Thanks Aliy.
Padee Fairbanks
When I saw them hit the camera I thought, "I love that puppy stage!" Then I thought of Hopi, just over a year, who runs at me the same way and was happy to think she had not quite outgrown that yet, but alas, they do .. which I guess is probably is not such a bad thing considering Gary found the third pair of his reading glasses chewed up on the floor yesterday.
L
Happy birthday to the golf litter!!! thanks for the post Aliy. I can't believe they are four already, and they are all gorgeous dogs. Please give "Woodiford" some extra loving from me.
Cheers,
Heidi
The difference in the photos shows such a big difference in maturity! Happy Birthday
They all are soooo cute! Thanks so much for sharing!
Happy birthday to Ironman and his litter mates. What an interesting year this has been for the entire litter. I am sure they have learned a lot. Thanks Aliy for the post. You are the best. I am sure that your foot isn't healing as fast as you would like, but you will get there and be even stronger. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
So nice to compare baby pics with the most curren to see how beautiful they have become Wedgy is a beauty with glamor under eye liner,Woody's two black spots are more distinct, Sandy is wearing white eye liner, Iron appears just as intent with mask lightened up, Driver looks like a go getter with a lighter mask and Chipper looks like another beauty girl too!
Great looking as they have matured. Wondering what DNA line has given some the floppy ears.
Wonderful post
I lovee the side by side shots showing how they change.
SPK will have an exciting next season with these Quito Biscuit pups ready to show their skills.
🙂
Puppy kisses
Oh, Aliy!!!
You really do have a magnificent influx into the "A" team coming!!!
And SP Kennel's "B" team will be right on their tail!!!
So wonderful to hear about the new "recruits" 4-legged division!
Best always,
Margaret
They really grew up in two years. I love how they grew into their ears!! Heelers do that too, a breed I am more personally familiar with. But gosh these dogs all look so good and with parents like that they have got to be exceptional! Eager to see them strut their stuff in the 16-17 race season.
I am going to go broke being a fan this next year–too many that I love!!Thanks for keeping us updated as the younger dogs move up! They've got some big booties to fill but I am sure they can do it.
OMG! What an amazingly adorable video! I especially loved the last part where one runs right up to you and starts licking you (and the camera). I LOVE seeing these dogs do what they love the most… RUN! This morning Willow (our rescued and adopted Alaskan Husky) took me for a run in our back yard, back and forth and back and forth, just ripping up the ground. It's hilarious looking at the spots she's ripped through, dodging and spinning and just plain having a great time. I love these dogs! Laurie Larson, Matson