The Troops
Faith and Josh
We're Faith and Josh and we live in Nashville, TN with our four children. God, family, and community are foundational to who we are. We are a young family who wish to impart upon our children the value and richness that can be found within the experience of hunting big game with dogs. Our children are integral in helping us whelp, raise, and wean our litters and we cherish the lessons they learn about life through that process.
We primarily focus on breeding litters and importing new dogs for the kennel. We hunt when able and, most importantly, enjoy maintaining the new friendships we build with the ever-growing community of Snowy Mountain owners.
The Stakers
Dallin and Jessie
Dallin and Jessie live in NW Colorado with their two kids. Dallin is a lifelong houndsman, and Jessie works closely with animals as well. They have a deep and passionate respect for family, dogs, and hunting. They are incredible partners and even better friends.
Dallin and Jessie keep Karelians from our Snowy Mountain Staker line. Snowy Mountain Kestää is the foundation dog of our Staker line and Dallin and Jessie's firstj Snowy Mountain pup. We rotate as many of our potential breeding stock through Dallin so he can evaluate them for their breeding potential. Dallin's experience as a houndsman is invaluable in helping us determine our next breeding crosses and also advising other houndsmen on how to integrate a Karelian into their pack.
We could not ask for better partners and friends in Dallin and Jessie. Snowy Mountain Bear Dogs would not be what it is without the Stakers.
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The Dogs
Why Karelian Bear Dogs? Josh has worked with a wide variety of dogs throughout his life: bird dogs, hounds, cattle dogs, K9 dogs, and sled dogs. Though he has a special appreciation for each of these breeds, none of them quite fit what he wanted. The FCI Spitz breeds piqued his interest and he was immediately captivated by the power and majesty of Karelians. They met all the characteristics he was looking for: speed, intelligence, hunting drive, loyalty, and independence
The Smiths
Hunter and Natalie
Hunter and Natalie live in northern New Mexico with their two boys. Hunter has been around and owned dogs since he was young. A huge part of their family is dedicated to spending time pursuing outdoor traditions. One of the great traditions they want to pass onto their sons is hunting, specifically hunting big game with dogs.
Hunter reached out to us in the Fall of 2020 inquiring about a Karelian. Many months and conversations later, Hunter and Natalie committed to acquiring a male from Finland - Scout. By adding another stud to our breeding program, Hunter and Natalie will offer future generations of Snowy Mountain puppies new, Finnish blood and keen hunting abilities from solid Finnish hunting kennels.
As our Snowy Mountain Family grows, we look with anticipation towards the fruits that will come from our partnership and friendship with Natalie and Hunter.
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The Traditions
The Snowy Mountains
Why the Snowy Mountains? Josh grew up in the Snowy Mountains in Lewistown, MT. Hours were spent hiking, swimming, exploring, playing, and hunting in the Snowies. Josh learned a lot of incredible life lessons in the Snowies and throughout all those experiences, he had an Alaskan Malamute as a companion and protector. Josh brought Faith to the Snowies to ask for her hand in marriage. It seemed only fitting that the Snowy Mountains were the chosen icon for our kennel name.