Our philosophy
At Wild Lapland, the dogs are at the heart of our lives. They are our family, our companions and our working partners, and our home, our everyday lives and our way of living are built around them.
We know every dog as an individual and take responsibility for their wellbeing even before they are born. We carefully plan each breeding combination and care for the mother throughout her pregnancy through appropriate nutrition, exercise and individual attention. We then share the puppies’ lives from birth, through their working years and into old age. The relationships we build with them are based on trust, respect and a lifelong responsibility for their happiness and wellbeing.
Wild Lapland would not exist without the dogs. They are not simply part of our work – they are the reason we live the life we do.
Their health, wellbeing and willingness to work form the foundation of everything we do. No commercial consideration, planned itinerary or guest expectation takes priority over the welfare of an individual dog or the dog team.
We want our dogs to live active, meaningful and secure lives in which they can express their natural behaviour, develop trusting relationships and enjoy the work for which they have been bred and trained.
Individual care
Every dog is treated as an individual. We take account of each dog’s age, physical condition, personality, experience, social needs and current state of health.
Dogs are observed during daily care, feeding, training and work. Changes in appetite, movement, behaviour, body condition, social interaction, recovery or willingness to work are taken seriously and followed up.
A dog that shows signs of illness, injury, unusual fatigue, stress or unwillingness to work is removed from the activity and given the care, rest, rehabilitation or professional treatment required.
Housing and daily life
Our dogs are kept in an environment designed to provide safety, shelter, social contact, freedom of movement and appropriate rest.
We regard the minimum dimensions required by Swedish animal welfare regulations as a basic legal threshold, not as the standard we aim to achieve. We deliberately place higher demands on our own dog management. Our kennels are larger than the required minimum dimensions and are designed to provide the dogs with considerably more space in their everyday lives.
In addition to their kennels, the dogs have access to an exercise area of approximately 20,000 square metres, where they run freely together every day. This gives them extensive opportunities for natural movement, social interaction, play, exploration and low-intensity exercise throughout the year.
The large exercise area is an important part of both the dogs’ physical conditioning and their social wellbeing. It allows them to move freely as a group, maintain their relationships and choose between activity, play and rest.
Housing areas, shelters, bedding and equipment are inspected and maintained regularly. Dogs have access to dry and protected resting places where they can maintain an appropriate body temperature and rest without disturbance.
Social compatibility is considered when dogs are housed or spend time together. Dogs that do not function well together are not left together unsupervised.
The kennel environment is only one part of the dogs’ lives. Daily human contact, interaction with other dogs, free running, exercise, training, mental stimulation and time outside their ordinary housing areas are all essential parts of their care.
Exercise, training and working life
Sled dogs are working dogs with a strong motivation to run, cooperate and be part of a team. Training and work provide physical exercise, mental stimulation and an opportunity to express these natural behaviours.
Preventive conditioning is a central part of our dog management. The dogs remain active throughout the year through regular low-intensity exercise and extensive opportunities to move and run freely in our exercise area.
This year-round foundation helps maintain mobility, strength, coordination and general fitness without placing unnecessary strain on the dogs.
It is during this kind of free running that the bonds within the group are formed and strengthened. This is where the younger dogs learn from the older ones, where trust, belonging and companionship develop, and where individual dogs gradually learn how to function together as a team.
It also gives us, as handlers, an invaluable opportunity to observe how the dogs communicate and interact with one another. We learn more about each dog’s personality, confidence, social role and individual needs, as well as which dogs may need additional guidance or support to feel secure and function well within the group.
To us, it is self-evident that every dog is an individual with its own history, experiences and emotional needs. Our responsibility is to understand that individual and adapt our handling, training and support accordingly, while helping each dog find its place within the wider group.
More structured training begins during the autumn. Training distances are increased gradually, starting with only a few kilometres and progressing towards approximately 30 kilometres as the dogs become stronger and the conditions allow.
Some autumn sessions are relatively demanding but intentionally kept short and controlled. The purpose is to build strength, endurance and resilience while avoiding prolonged exhaustion.
Recovery is one of the most important measures used when assessing the dogs’ condition. Our goal is that the dogs should recover within a few hours after training and return to their normal behaviour, appetite, movement and energy level. They should appear physically capable of running again, even though appropriate rest and recovery are still provided.
If recovery takes longer than expected, or if a dog shows stiffness, fatigue, discomfort, reduced appetite or unwillingness to work, its training is reduced or paused and the dog is assessed individually.
Training is adapted to each dog’s age, development, experience and physical condition. Young dogs are introduced gradually and are not expected to perform the same work as mature and experienced dogs.
The composition of each dog team, the number of dogs used and the distance and pace travelled are determined by the responsible guide. Decisions are based on factors including:
- the individual dogs’ age, experience, fitness and health;
- trail, snow and weather conditions;
- temperature and wind;
- the weight being transported;
- the planned distance and terrain;
- the condition of the team during and after the activity.
Routes, pace and distances may be changed whenever necessary. Additional dogs may be used, dogs may be exchanged or an activity may be shortened, altered or cancelled when this is considered best for the dogs.
These decisions should never be mistaken for a belief that our dogs are fragile or incapable. They are exceptionally strong, resilient and highly specialised working dogs, bred and trained to perform in demanding Arctic conditions.
Their physical capacity, endurance, determination and ability to continue functioning when the weather, terrain and circumstances become difficult are far beyond those of most people. In many ways, they can be compared to elite endurance athletes or highly trained specialist units: individuals with an extraordinary ability to work together, remain focused and overcome challenges that would quickly exhaust an unprepared person.
We have enormous respect for what these dogs are capable of. Our responsibility is not to protect them from every challenge, but to prepare them properly, understand their limits and give them the conditions in which their strength, courage and working ability can be expressed safely.
Adapting a route or workload is therefore not about underestimating the dogs. It is part of professional dog handling: knowing when to let them use their full capacity and when responsible leadership requires a different decision.
Rest and recovery are essential parts of both training and working life. Workloads are adapted throughout the season, and individual dogs are given additional rest whenever required.
Food, nutrition and water
We are committed to providing our dogs with the best possible nutrition for their health, wellbeing and working life.
The dogs are normally fed a high-quality frozen raw food developed specifically for working sled dogs. The food is produced from nutritious animal products and by-products from slaughter and is delivered frozen in blocks by a specialist sled dog food manufacturer.
We also supplement the raw food with a dry food of the highest quality.
Changing a dog’s diet is a gradual process, and the digestive system needs time to adapt to a new type of food. For this reason, we normally include a smaller amount of dry food alongside the raw meat-based feed as part of the dogs’ regular diet.
This gives us greater flexibility on longer journeys and expeditions. If warm weather or other conditions make it difficult to transport frozen raw food safely without the risk of it spoiling, we can use dry food instead without making a sudden change to the dogs’ diet.
This preparation allows us to maintain reliable nutrition even in challenging conditions while protecting the dogs’ digestion, energy levels and overall wellbeing.
The food we use is a complete feed, formulated to provide all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals required by the dogs. Feeding amounts are individually adapted according to each dog’s age, size, body condition, metabolism, activity level and current training or working load.
Working sled dogs in our climate have particularly high nutritional demands. In addition to their complete feed, we provide selected vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements commonly used to support active dogs working in cold conditions. These supplements support areas such as recovery, muscle function, joints, paws, coat and general physical condition.
Puppies, young dogs and older dogs receive additional nutritional support when needed. Supplements and feeding routines are adapted to help young dogs grow and develop properly and to help older dogs maintain their mobility, strength, health and quality of life for as long as possible.
The dogs’ appetite, body condition, energy levels, recovery and general wellbeing are monitored closely. Feeding is adjusted whenever their individual needs or workload change.
Dogs are given the opportunity to eat calmly and without undue competition or disturbance.
Sufficient drinking water is always provided. During training, tours and cold weather, water intake and hydration are actively managed according to the temperature, conditions and workload. Water may also be added to the dogs’ food to support adequate fluid intake.
Preventive health care and treatment
Preventive health care is an integral part of our dog management.
A major part of this work consists of maintaining the dogs’ physical condition throughout the year through regular low-intensity movement, free running, gradual seasonal conditioning, appropriate nutrition, recovery and close daily observation.
Paws, claws, teeth, coat, skin, movement, appetite, behaviour and general body condition are monitored regularly. Small changes are taken seriously so that potential problems can be addressed before they develop into injuries or illness.
Parasite treatment is carried out when needed.
We take an integrative and holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of our dogs. Our aim is not only to manage visible symptoms, but also to understand and address the underlying cause whenever possible. Nutrition, physical condition, training, recovery, movement, environment, stress and the individual dog’s overall wellbeing are all considered as part of this assessment.
We have an extensive professional network with expertise in several areas of animal health and wellbeing. This includes veterinarians and veterinary specialists, as well as canine osteopaths, canine rehabilitation practitioners and animal homeopaths.
When a dog requires assessment, treatment, rehabilitation or additional support, we consult the professional whose expertise is most appropriate for that individual dog and its particular needs. Conventional veterinary medicine and complementary care are used together when this provides the best support for the dog.
Complementary methods are never used as a substitute for necessary veterinary examination, diagnosis, medication, surgery or other medical treatment. An acute injury, serious illness or condition requiring veterinary intervention is always treated accordingly.
Medication is never used merely to suppress symptoms or to enable an injured, unwell or otherwise unfit dog to train or work.
Equipment and handling
Harnesses, lines, collars, transport equipment and other gear are selected and maintained to minimise the risk of injury, discomfort or unnecessary restriction.
Dogs are handled calmly, consistently and respectfully. Training is based on communication, cooperation, routine and positive relationships.
Methods or equipment intended to control a dog through pain, fear or electric shock are not used.
Before and during tours, the guide supervises the dog team and checks that harnesses and lines are correctly fitted and that the dogs are moving normally.
Transport
Our dogs are transported in secure, clean and appropriately ventilated transport boxes designed specifically for sled dogs. Wild Lapland holds the required permit for the commercial transport of animals.
Each box is designed to accommodate two dogs, and the dogs normally travel in compatible pairs. Travelling together allows them to benefit from social contact and, in colder conditions, from each other’s body heat.
The allocation of dogs to each box is always assessed individually. Temperature, weather conditions, journey length, the dogs’ size, age, health, temperament and social compatibility are all taken into consideration.
When it is considered more appropriate for the individual dog, a dog travels alone. This may apply, for example, because of age, size, temperature, health, need for additional space or because the dog is more comfortable travelling separately.
Dogs are never placed together solely to maximise transport capacity. Their safety, comfort and individual needs determine how the transport boxes are used.
Transport planning also considers journey time, ventilation, supervision and the dogs’ need for water, rest and care. The transport boxes and vehicle are inspected, maintained and cleaned as required.
Interaction with guests
Meeting the dogs is an important part of the Wild Lapland experience, but interaction always takes place on the dogs’ terms and under the guide’s direction.
Before tours, the dogs are normally loose together in the presence of guests. This allows guests to meet the dogs as individuals and allows the dogs to interact naturally within the group.
Guests receive instructions on how to approach and interact with the dogs safely and respectfully. A dog may be kept away from guest interaction if it needs rest, is uncomfortable with the situation or if the guide considers interaction inappropriate.
Guests are not permitted to discipline, feed, release, harness or otherwise handle a dog without permission and supervision from the guide.
The dogs’ need for calm, space and recovery takes priority over a guest’s wish to interact with a particular dog.
Breeding
Wild Lapland breeds the great majority of its dogs within our own kennel. This allows us to know the dogs’ background, follow their development from birth and give the puppies a stable start in the same environment in which they may later live and work.
To maintain genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inbreeding, we occasionally bring new dogs into the kennel from carefully selected bloodlines. Our preference is, however, that future generations are born and raised here.
A newly introduced dog is normally evaluated for at least one year before being considered for breeding. This gives us time to assess the dog in everyday kennel life, training and work, as well as its personality, temperament, social behaviour, working capacity and ability to cooperate with both dogs and people.
We place particularly high demands on temperament and social stability. As our dogs are normally loose together in the presence of guests before tours, our breeding decisions must support dogs that are confident, cooperative and socially reliable and that can function safely in a large group of dogs and around unfamiliar people.
Working ability alone is never sufficient grounds for breeding. We consider the whole dog, including its behaviour, communication, ability to handle different situations, relationship with people and other dogs, and suitability for life within our kennel.
Breeding combinations are selected carefully with the long-term wellbeing and future development of the kennel in mind. Our aim is to produce healthy, capable and socially stable sled dogs that can enjoy both their working lives and their everyday lives as part of Wild Lapland.
Puppies, older dogs and retirement
Puppies and young dogs are given time to develop physically and mentally. Their introduction to training, equipment, new environments and team life is gradual and adapted to the individual.
Older dogs remain valued members of our kennel and our family. Their training and workload are gradually reduced and adapted as their age, health and physical ability change.
Our dogs have a home with us for life. A dog that has spent its working life as part of Wild Lapland’s team is not rehomed when it retires. It remains with us and continues to receive the care, security, companionship and individual attention it needs throughout the rest of its life.
Retired dogs may continue to take part in lighter exercise, free running and everyday kennel life according to their individual ability and willingness. They remain part of the social group and retain the relationships, routines and surroundings they know.
When age-related illness or declining health affects a dog’s quality of life, decisions are made with the dog’s dignity and welfare as the only priority, in consultation with a veterinarian when appropriate.
A dog’s value to Wild Lapland does not depend on its ability to work. Our responsibility continues throughout the dog’s entire life.
Documentation and record keeping
Wild Lapland maintains individual records to support the long-term health, welfare and appropriate workload of each dog.
All training and commercial work performed in harness is recorded in a running log. This allows us to follow each dog’s workload, distances, frequency of work, periods of rest and development over time.
The records are used when planning training, composing teams and assessing whether an individual dog is ready for a particular distance or level of work. They also help us identify changes in performance, recovery or willingness to work.
We also maintain health records for the dogs. These include relevant information such as heat cycles, injuries, illness, treatments, unusual behaviour, incidents and other observations that may affect the dog’s health, training or work.
Incidents and injuries are documented and followed up so that care, rehabilitation, workload and routines can be adapted when necessary.
This documentation helps us make decisions based on each dog’s history and individual needs and supports continuity in their care throughout their entire life.
Responsibility and continuous improvement
The owner and guides of Wild Lapland share responsibility for following this policy and for speaking up whenever there is concern about a dog’s welfare.
Any injury, health concern or significant incident involving a dog is assessed and followed up. Routines, equipment, training and tour arrangements are reviewed when an incident indicates that improvements may be needed.
Our dog management complies with applicable Swedish animal welfare legislation and official requirements. Meeting legal minimum requirements is not, however, the limit of our ambition. We continually aim to provide our dogs with more space, movement, individual care and opportunities to express their natural behaviour than the minimum standards require.
We continue to develop our practices through experience, education, professional advice and careful observation of the dogs themselves.
The wellbeing of the dogs is the final measure of whether our work is being done properly.
Responsible operator Wild Lapland
Policy owner Morgan Liljemark
Version 1.0
Effective from 24 July 2026
Next review 1 June 2027