Husky Petting, in Akureyri

Dogs, puppies, and Icelandic warmth come together here. This one-hour visit takes you to the goHusky kennel just outside Akureyri, where you can cuddle friendly sled dogs, meet puppies, take photos, and hear how Gunni and Maria built their life around huskies. I especially like the hands-on time with the dogs and the small group size of no more than 12 people.

The visit sounds particularly good for families, cruise passengers, and anyone who prefers a personal animal encounter to a long sightseeing stop. The main consideration is simple: at $84.02 per person for about an hour, it is not a cheap photo stop. You are paying for an intimate visit and time with the dogs, not a full dogsled ride.

Key things to know before you book

• You meet more than 25 huskies: The kennel visit can include a large group of friendly adult dogs, along with younger puppies when available.
• Gunni and Maria welcome you personally: Their home, stories, dog-care routines, trophy collection, and husky yarn-making add a human side to the visit.
• The dogs are the main event: Expect cuddles, kisses, petting, and plenty of photo chances rather than a sled ride.
• Families get real value from the format: Children can interact with the dogs in a short, focused activity that does not require a full day.
• Pickup is offered: You should be ready outside your accommodation 15 minutes before the scheduled start.
• The group is capped at 12: That limit matters when your goal is direct time with animals.

Arriving at the goHusky kennel near Akureyri

The meeting point is goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. The activity returns to this same location, which keeps the plan easy to understand. If pickup is arranged, you should wait in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour begins.

That early pickup time is worth taking seriously. A one-hour animal visit can feel rushed if you arrive late, and the kennel needs to keep its schedule. Since the activity is near Akureyri rather than in the middle of town, pickup can also save you the trouble of arranging your own way there.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the maximum group size is 12 people. That is small enough to make personal contact possible, while still large enough that you may need to share the dogs and the hosts’ attention.

Meeting a large family of huskies

The heart of the visit is time with the dogs. The kennel has more than 25 huskies, and the descriptions of the animals are consistent: friendly, curious, intelligent, and eager to meet people. If you like dogs that greet you with enthusiasm, this is your kind of stop.

Expect plenty of petting and affection. The huskies are known for giving kisses, so you should be ready for a close encounter rather than a quiet look from behind a fence. The chance to sit with the dogs, stroke them, and take photos gives the activity a relaxed, personal feel.

This is not a formal wildlife experience. These are domestic dogs raised and cared for by their owners. That distinction matters. You are not coming to observe animals from a distance. You are entering a working husky home and spending time with dogs that are used to human contact.

I like that the activity puts animal interaction first. In many places, a husky visit means a quick photo beside a dog and then a sales pitch. Here, the available details point to a longer period of simple contact: petting, cuddling, kisses, and conversation.

Puppies add a special moment

When puppies are available, they can become the most memorable part of the visit. The experience includes the chance to meet recent puppies, and that changes the mood for children and adults alike. Young dogs bring plenty of energy, curiosity, and soft fur, though they also require gentle handling.

You should not assume puppies will be the whole visit. Their availability can change, and the core activity is a visit with the huskies as a group. Still, if puppies are present, they provide a wonderful bonus and a natural photo opportunity.

For families, this can be the highlight of an Iceland holiday. One family described it as the children’s favorite activity, which makes sense. The visit is short enough for young attention spans, but active enough to keep children involved.

Parents should still prepare children to follow instructions around the dogs. Friendly does not mean the animals want rough handling. The best experience comes when children let the dogs approach, pet them calmly, and respect the owners’ guidance.

Gunni and Maria make the visit personal

The people behind the dogs are a major part of the appeal. Gunni and Maria welcome visitors into their home and talk about how they came to raise these animals. Their story connects the cute photo opportunity with the work of running a husky kennel and making the dogs part of their livelihood.

That personal welcome gives the visit more meaning. You are not simply stopping at an attraction designed around animal photos. You are meeting a couple whose daily life centers on caring for a large family of huskies.

Gunni is named directly in the experience details, and the warm replies from him show an easy, friendly personality. Maria is also part of the welcome. Together, they seem to make the visit feel informal and open, with time for questions and conversation.

A visit to someone’s home can feel more genuine than a polished commercial setup. It can also feel less predictable. You may find the setting more personal and home-based than a large visitor center, which is part of its charm but may not suit someone seeking a highly structured tour.

See the trophies and husky yarn

The kennel visit includes more than petting. You may also see an impressive collection of trophies and ribbons earned through the dogs’ activities. This provides useful context. The huskies are not just attractive family pets. Their owners have invested serious time and care in working with them.

Another unusual detail is husky yarn-making. The dogs’ coats can produce soft fiber, and seeing this craft adds a distinctive Icelandic touch to the stop. It is the sort of small detail that turns a standard animal encounter into a story you can remember later.

You should think of these elements as supporting parts of the visit, not a separate museum tour. The dogs remain the focus. Still, the trophies and yarn help explain the owners’ passion and show different ways huskies are part of their lives.

I appreciate this balance. You get the fun side, with cuddles and pictures, plus a glimpse into the work and traditions behind the kennel. That makes the experience more worthwhile for adults who want a little context along with the cuteness.

Why the one-hour format works

An hour is enough time to meet the dogs without making the visit feel like a full-day commitment. This is useful in Akureyri, where you may also want time for town, nearby sights, food, or other activities.

The short length also works well for families. Young children can enjoy a focused animal visit before their energy fades. Adults get a pleasant break from driving, walking, or sightseeing.

The tradeoff is that the visit cannot cover everything in great detail. With more than 25 huskies, puppies, owners’ stories, trophies, yarn-making, petting, and photos all in the mix, the hour may pass quickly. If you want a long lesson on sled-dog training or a full kennel tour, you may find the format brief.

The activity does not include a dogsled ride. That is the most important expectation to set. You are visiting and petting the huskies, not racing across snow or taking a working-dog excursion.

Is $84.02 a fair price?

At $84.02 per person, this is a premium one-hour activity. The value depends on what you want from your time in Akureyri.

I think the price makes more sense if you value direct animal contact, a small group, pickup, and a personal welcome from the kennel owners. The chance to meet a large group of huskies, possibly see puppies, hear the owners’ story, and take as many photos as you like gives the visit more substance than a quick stop at a petting area.

The cost is harder to justify if you only want a brief photo with a dog. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is dogsledding. In that case, you should choose a separate sledding activity rather than expect this visit to provide one.

For a family, the total price adds up quickly. Even so, the one-hour length can be useful because you are not committing a whole day or paying for a longer excursion that may not suit small children. For a cruise passenger, the cost may feel worthwhile because it fits neatly into a port stop and has already earned praise as a favorite shore activity.

Best for families and dog lovers

This experience is an easy recommendation for people who love dogs and want close contact with them. The huskies are described as friendly and well behaved, and the atmosphere appears especially welcoming for children.

It also suits visitors who prefer a personal story to a standard attraction. Gunni and Maria’s home, their dogs, their trophies, and their yarn-making give you something to talk about after the cuddling ends.

Cruise passengers should pay attention to the timing and pickup arrangement. The experience ends back at the meeting point, and the scheduled pickup is offered from accommodations. The supplied details do not provide a cruise-specific pickup procedure, so you should confirm that your port schedule and pickup point work before booking.

People with limited time in Akureyri may also like the compact format. You can enjoy a memorable animal experience without giving up an entire morning or afternoon.

The activity says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you need specific assistance, ask goHusky before booking.

How to prepare for a better visit

Wear clothing you can comfortably use around dogs. Husky kisses, fur, and enthusiastic greetings are part of the appeal, so this is not the moment for an outfit that must remain spotless.

Have your camera or phone ready. You can take plenty of pictures, and the dogs provide no shortage of subjects. A group of huskies is more interesting than a single posed animal, especially when they are interacting with people.

Arrive on time, or be ready 15 minutes before pickup if you are being collected from your accommodation. The tour lasts only about an hour, so a late start can cut into the part you came to enjoy.

If you are bringing children, explain beforehand that the dogs should be treated gently. Let the hosts guide the interaction. The animals may be friendly, but each dog has its own mood and comfort level.

Finally, leave room in your schedule for a relaxed visit. The experience is built around affection and conversation. It is better approached as time spent with a husky family than as a fast checklist stop.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted.

The activity is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging 79 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early if the timing matters, especially during a busy Iceland itinerary.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English, includes mobile tickets, and accepts a maximum of 12 people.

Should you book Husky Petting in Akureyri?

I would book this if you want a warm, personal encounter with friendly huskies and you are happy to pay for a short, focused visit. The combination of more than 25 dogs, possible puppies, family-friendly handling, pickup, and time with Gunni and Maria gives it real appeal.

I would skip it if you are expecting dogsledding, a long outdoor adventure, or a low-cost attraction. This is about cuddles, kisses, photos, and the story of a husky-loving couple.

For dog lovers, families, and cruise passengers with a suitable schedule, it looks like one of Akureyri’s most cheerful short activities. Bring your camera, arrive ready for fur, and expect the dogs to take over the hour.

FAQ

Where does the Husky Petting experience take place?

It begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you should be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

How much does Husky Petting cost?

The listed price is $84.02 per person.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can children participate?

Yes. Both children and adults can participate, and the activity is described as suitable for families. Most people can take part.

Is this a dogsledding tour?

No. This activity focuses on petting, cuddling, photographing, and meeting the huskies at the kennel.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.