Introducing my two big boys, Flounder and Bluto
Okay I realize this is a picture of only one dog, but in all honesty you only need one picture to show what each of them look like.
Yep, we have twins my friends.
Pictured above is Flounder modeling our new dog coats that a friend of mine made who I worked with as handlers at DeeDee Jonrowe's kennel a few years back. Her and her husband now have a small business where they provide dog sled tours and sell handmade sled dog gear.
Anyway, here's a pic of them together and you'll see what I mean about looking alike
See what I mean??
Only a few minor physical differences:
1. Flounder has a scar on his muzzle
2. Bluto has about 5 white hairs on his chest
3. Bluto's fur is slightly lighter on the ends because he loves sunning himself (we got a lot of sun this past summer), this will disappear as the winter continues on
4. Flounder has a missing tooth (more on that later)
Now that I know them, these two couldn't look more different, but at first I couldn't tell them apart. Luckily, their names are on their collars so if I got confused I just referenced those.
Both these guys also came from Kelley Griffin (along with Ajax who you met earlier).
They are 6 1/2 years old, have both finished multiple Iditarod and Yukon Quest 1,000 mile races, and are as lovable as dogs can be.
Despite looking the same, they couldn't be more different in personality.
Sure, they both soak in attention and absolutely adore getting loved on, but that's about it.
Shortly after I got all my dogs and started training, both of these guys had different incidences that secured a night or two inside with me in my little cabin.
Bluto broke a nail and injured his nail bed. He was brought inside to keep him dry and free of mud and contaminants so his nail bed would not get infected.
Flounder (here's where the missing tooth comes in) got in a fight with one of Kristin's dogs while out on run (I help train some of Kristin's dogs). Everything was hunky dory, Flounder and Yashinomi running side by side when suddenly all hell broke loose! I had a full fledged intense dog fight on my hands! After a lot of yelling, shoving my foot in between them, and doing whatever else I could to separate the two very large sled dogs, the fight finally subsided. I quickly moved Flounder, checked them both over for any major injuries (which there were none), and we moved on our way.
When we got home from our short run, I cleaned their wounds and checked them over again. It was then I discovered that Yashinomi had gotten a hold of Flounder's mouth where he broke one of his teeth and lacerated his gum.
Thus, my first emergency trip to the vet clinic. Puncture wounds I can handle. Loose broken teeth and open wounds in a dog's very dirty mouth? That's a bit beyond me.
So Flounder spent a night inside as he recovered from the drugs.
In my cabin, I have this mirror propped against the wall.
When Flounder came in for the night, he saw his reflection and started to growl/bark at it. He then attempted to get to that other dog to tell him who's boss.
When Bluto saw his reflection, he looked on with genuine excitement and began licking and snuggling the mirror.
So from that I can safely tell you that Flounder is a bit more aggressive and reactionary than Bluto. I make sure he gets along with a dog before I run them together, and he's not one I trust running around loose.
Bluto is just so darn happy-go-lucky, he gets along with everyone and everything ... and apparently he is also in love with himself.
Another big difference in personality?
Flounder is a leader (an awesome leader at that), and Bluto is not.
Flounder is like Ajax, follows my every command. His downfall though? It's not what you would think ... when passing other teams he doesn't try to get at the other dogs; no, he barks and nips at the musher! Not good. We're working on it, and he is getting better. We'll see what happens though when we are able to move to sleds and we lose the safety of a big 4-wheeler between him and the musher.
Bluto on the other hand does not lead, but once his cracked nail has fully grown out (his nail bed is all healed up now), he will be my go to wheel dog (the dogs right in front of the sled). Not all dogs can run in wheel. It's a demanding position. Wheel dogs bear the brunt of the load and they feel the effects of the sled more than any other position in the team. A wheel dog needs to be strong, sound, and steady.
The brothers both play an important role in my team.
They are fantastic, hard working, sweet dogs and I couldn't be happier!
