ABOUT THE PACK
Recreational Sled Dog Kennel
We are a canine-human family of 17 sled dogs and our human sidekick Nate Mauricio, based out of Manitoba, Canada.
Our journey as a kennel started in 2018 when our human-dog translator and undercover Shark started this journey by being gifted Tony his first sled dog puppy, for helping a close friend and musher move across the country.
Tony, who travelled with Nate all over Canada and the US has not just become Nates best friend but also acts as his service animal. Nate is convinced he is an angel messenger that protects and teaches him.
Today their friendship and special bond is reflected in the kennel logo, consisting of Tony's unique curly tail and Nate's artist logo for Lil Shark, as well as an N that symbolizes North, inspired by the Truth North aspect of the TPS (Toyota Production System). True North within that system is a direction to go for, the goal condition, the destiny for any journey.
"True North" in our concept means aiming for the best possible conditions: best dog care (nutrition, health, balance), the happiest puppers (well rounded stimulation, mentally and physically) and challenging each team member to perform to their full protentional (we are only as strong or fast as our weakest or slowest member! and we will make sure no one is left behind)
Diversity means new angles, endless opportunity to learn and a lot of fun!
Introducing the Human of the Pack
Dog Lover, Trainer, & Musher
KENNEL OWNER - MUSHER - DOG TRAINER
Nate, born and raised in Germany by a Colombian mother and a German father, has started being around dogs since the age of 10.
In 2010, at the age of 14 they started training their family dog a German Shepard at their local dog club close to their hometown Oldenburg in Germany. From that year on he spend all his free time learning about protection work, obedience and tracking. He participated with his dog partner Lino for several years at local dog trials and competitions. In 2014 he became his clubs youth trainer and started coaching what they have learned.
After a break from dog sports due to university, Nate decided to book a sled dog tour in Sweden in late 2017, since they have always been interested in mushing.
Immediately hooked they decided to spend their already planned Work & Travel year in Canada with a musher.
In September 2018 they started their mushing journey with a Yukon based dog musher and fell in love with the lifestyle from day one.
After spending almost three full winter seasons learning, training and racing with other mushers in Manitoba and the Yukon he committed to his own kennel after finally receiving his Permanent Residency in 2022. Within a year his kennel grew from four to 12 dogs and he started his first big race season in 2023 by finishing 3rd in the Yukon Quest 100 and being awarded the Rookie of the Year. His to date favourite race is the PercyDeWolfe Race Jr, which he was fortunate enough to expierence , a 110 mile race all on the Yukon River north of Dawson City in the beautiful Yukon.
Also in 2023 Nates alpha dog Capa, gave birth to their first generation of "sharks". The litter had their first season of mushing in 2023/2024 for which Nate had teamed up one season with another musher. As a result his yearlings ended up running the second biggest sled dog race in the world just shy of 1 year old, a very proud moment for his kennel. After participating in a few more races in the US American sprint circuit for the season 2023/2024 he decided to focus for this upcoming season on running all 11 adults to the best of their average ability.
Amy, a Capa off-spring gave birth in 2024 to the second generation of "sharks".
After 14 years of expierence in professional dog training environments (8 in 1:1 dog training, 6 in kennel/pack environments) he decided to start his own dog training business this year.
Northern Sharks Working Dogs now offers dog training sessions, day-care and boarding as well as workshops/educational guided nature excursions with the entire dog pack.
