WATKINS

Watkins, named for Bridgette Watkins, is part of the Mushing Heroes litter. Watkins has a loud, happy, and boisterous personality. He wants to jump on you and lick your face and climb on your lap and run in circles around you all at once. Once the harness comes out though, he is all business. He is focused and meshes into the team so well, I don't even see him. Watkins picked up resting at checkpoints quickly during his yearling year, way faster than any of the other dogs, and is quickly becoming a pro sleddog. But when not in harness, he won't let you forget the goofy and happy-go-lucky dog that is behind the pro athlete. He loves to run at me from way across the yard, leap into the air, and body slam me at 20mph. 

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Watkins has Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, a genetic disease that causes the mucous membranes to not function correctly. For Watkins, this manifests as a near-constant snotty nose, sneezing, and coughing. However, exercise actually helps PCD dogs - it breaks up the mucus and helps it get moving, so Watkins is cleared to continue doing what he loves and being an amazing athlete. Watkins and his DNA are spearheading the research into PCD in Alaskan Huskies, as the gene that causes PCD in other breeds, that have been identified, is different that what causes it in Alaskans.