Mush with P.R.I.D.E.

Mush with P.R.I.D.E.

Hetta Huskies benchmarked its kennel against the international Mush with PRIDE standard and earned its highest rating, Certification Plus.

MUSH with P.R.I.D.E. (Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment) is currently the only organisation offering an internationally recognised industry standard in the sleddog world, so it was important for us to baseline our kennel against it. We had our local vet assess the farm against its recommended standards and guidelines, and we not only passed but exceeded them in many ways, gaining the highest possible rating, Certification Plus.

  • Hetta Huskies achieved Certification Plus - PRIDE's highest possible rating
  • PRIDE = Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment
  • Voluntary Kennel Inspection Program defines 11 mandatory health and welfare standards
  • Certification Plus requires meeting most of 8 additional criteria
  • Earned a Gold award at the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards (Best Animal Welfare Initiative)

What our certification shows

This is the sleddog industry's current symbol of excellence, and gaining it reflects the emphasis we place on our dogs' care. The certificate confirms that our kennel is clean and in good condition; the dogs appear healthy and happy; the dog houses and living systems (cages and chains) are in good repair and suited to our dogs and weather; the dogs have sufficient access to water; food is stored and prepared in a clean, appropriate place and is of good quality; the pack behaves well both within itself and towards humans; pups and veterans are cared for equally; and breeding is deliberate and restricted.

More about Mush with PRIDE

PRIDE was founded in the 1990s in response to attacks on the industry by animal rights groups, primarily targeting racing kennels and racing in general. It developed its own Sled Dog Care Guidelines: voluntary standards covering dog yards and housing, feeding and watering, training and conditioning, basic health care, kennel sizes, whelping and kennel-raising, and full life cycle planning including geriatric care and end-of-life practices.

Members may join a Voluntary Kennel Inspection Program defining 11 mandatory health and welfare standards on food, water, shelter, confinement, socialisation and quality of life. Certification requires independent inspection by a vet, veterinary technician, animal enforcement officer or bylaw officer. For 'Certification Plus', the operator must meet the majority of eight additional criteria on kennelling, breeding, whelping and emergency evacuation plans.

The limitations of Mush with PRIDE

While Mush with P.R.I.D.E. is the leading standard for sled dog activities worldwide, its standards are voluntary, unenforceable by law and give insufficient guidance in several critical areas. Many therefore believe it is time for mandatory standards alongside regionally appropriate 'good conduct' guidelines.

Our work to this end earned us a Gold award in the 'Best Animal Welfare Initiative' category of the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards.