Reviewed · AKUREYRI TOURS

Husky Petting, in Akureyri

★ 5.0 · 23 reviews 1 hour (approx.) From $84 Operated by goHusky · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Akureyri outing is its close contact with the dogs. You visit goHusky’s kennel just outside town, where Gunni and Maria welcome you into their home and introduce you to friendly sled dogs, including puppies when available. This is hands-on time with real working huskies, not a quick photo stop behind a fence.

I like the warm family feel and the chance to learn how a husky kennel becomes a livelihood. I also like that you can take plenty of photos while cuddling the dogs, with no need to rush through a single staged encounter.

The main consideration is simple: this is a one-hour visit, not a dogsled ride. If you want speed, snow, and a long run across Iceland, choose another goHusky activity. If you want affection, conversation, and happy children, this is a much better match.

Key points at a glance

Husky Petting, in Akureyri - Key points at a glance

  • More than 25 huskies may be waiting: The kennel visit can bring you close to a large family of friendly dogs.
  • Gunni and Maria host the visit: You enter their home and hear how they raise and care for their huskies.
  • Puppy time may be part of the visit: Recent puppies have been included when available, but they should not be treated as guaranteed.
  • See the kennel’s personal side: Husky yarn, racing ribbons, and trophies add useful context to the dogs’ lives.
  • Pickup and small groups keep it easy: Pickup is offered 15 minutes before the tour, and the maximum group size is 12.
  • The price reflects a personal visit: At $84.02 per person for about an hour, you are paying for access, hosting, and close contact rather than transport or a long activity.

Meeting Akureyri’s huskies at goHusky

The visit begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, at Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. If you use the pickup option, be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the scheduled start. That early pickup window matters in Iceland, where a few minutes spent searching for a hotel entrance can quickly make a short tour feel rushed.

The activity returns to the same meeting point. Since the full visit lasts about one hour, the simple start and finish make it easy to fit into a day in Akureyri. You do not need to build a half-day plan around it.

The group is capped at 12 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large bus outing. With dogs, small groups also help. You have a better chance to get close, hear the hosts, and take photos without a crowd pressing in behind you.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, so you have the basic details in hand before the day of the visit.

Other Akureyri days people book alongside this one:

A kennel visit, not a sled ride

Set your expectations before you go. This experience focuses on petting, cuddling, meeting, and photographing the huskies. It does not promise a sled ride, a snowmobile trip, or a long outdoor run.

That difference is important. Husky activities in Iceland can range from fast winter excursions to short kennel visits. This one is about the dogs themselves. You get time to notice their personalities, watch how they respond to people, and enjoy the affectionate side of animals bred for hard work.

The dogs are described as intelligent, curious, and friendly. That makes the activity a strong choice for families, especially if your children love animals but are not ready for a strenuous adventure. Adults who simply want time with dogs will also find the format appealing.

You should still let each dog set the pace. Friendly does not mean every animal wants the same amount of contact at the same moment. Listen to Gunni and Maria, approach calmly, and give the huskies room when they need it.

Cuddles, kisses, and plenty of photos

Husky Petting, in Akureyri - Cuddles, kisses, and plenty of photos

The central activity is exactly what the name suggests: husky petting. These dogs are known for being affectionate, and the visit is built around their interest in meeting new people.

You can expect noses, fur, wagging tails, and plenty of attention. The dogs may offer kisses, which is part of the charm, though you should keep your camera ready rather than assume every shot will be perfectly composed. Animal photos are at their best when you accept a little chaos.

I like the balance between contact and photography. You are not placed in front of one animal for a single rushed picture. You have time to cuddle the dogs and take as many photos as you want during the visit.

Bring a phone or camera with enough storage and battery. That is practical advice rather than a promise about the exact setup. With a group of huskies, you may find that your best pictures happen in quick, unscripted moments.

For parents, this is a useful activity because the appeal is immediate. Children do not need a long explanation before they understand what they will do. They can meet the dogs, stroke them, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being surrounded by friendly animals.

Meeting the people behind the kennel

Gunni and Maria are more than hosts who open a gate. They welcome you into their home and explain how the huskies became part of their family and their livelihood.

That personal setting gives the visit more meaning. You are not only collecting pictures of attractive dogs. You are learning how passion for sled dogs shapes daily life, and how the animals are cared for as family members.

The kennel has a strong personal record of achievement, too. You may see an extensive collection of trophies and ribbons connected with husky racing. These details help explain that the dogs are not simply pets kept for visitors. They are part of a serious dogsledding operation.

The hosts may also show you husky yarn. That is an unusual detail and one of the more memorable parts of the visit. It gives you another way to understand the dogs, their coats, and the practical traditions linked to kennel life. One child-friendly touch mentioned from the visit is husky mittens, though you should not assume these are included with every booking.

Gunni and Maria’s warmth is a key part of the experience. The dogs may be the headline, but the welcome shapes how comfortable the visit feels. Their willingness to answer questions makes the hour more than a simple petting session.

Same island, a completely different kind of day:

The puppy moment

Puppies can change the whole mood of a kennel visit. They are smaller, energetic, and hard to ignore. If young puppies are at the kennel during your visit, you may have the chance to meet them as well as the adult dogs.

This is one of the strongest reasons families may choose the activity. Children can enjoy the large huskies, then see a younger stage of the same kind of dog. The contrast makes the visit more interesting and gives you a better sense of the kennel as an ongoing family.

Puppy availability can change. The experience information does not promise puppies on every date, so book this for the huskies and the hosts, not solely for a puppy encounter.

If puppies are present, follow the hosts’ instructions closely. Young dogs tire quickly, and careful handling matters. The best visit gives the animals a positive experience too.

What the one-hour format means for value

The cost is $84.02 per person for approximately one hour. At first glance, that is a notable price for a short activity. You are not paying for a full day out, a long transfer, or a major ride.

The value comes from the access. You are visiting a working kennel, meeting the people who run it, and spending close, unhurried time with a large group of huskies. For a dog lover, that can be worth more than a longer sightseeing stop with little personal contact.

I would compare this price with your own priorities. If you want a fast, active excursion, the short duration may feel limiting. If you want a focused animal experience that fits between other plans in Akureyri, the hour works well.

The maximum group size of 12 helps support the price. You are not being moved through a huge attraction. The setting is personal, and the hosts’ time is part of what you are buying.

The activity also has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a natural choice for families with children who love dogs. The huskies are described as friendly and curious, and the activity does not demand a high level of fitness. Most people can participate.

It also suits couples, solo visitors, and cruise passengers looking for a pleasant port activity. A short visit near Akureyri can work well when your schedule is tight. One particularly practical point is that the activity ends back at the meeting point, so you have a clear return plan.

Dog photographers may enjoy it, though you should expect moving subjects and close quarters rather than a controlled studio session. You will have many chances for pictures, but the dogs decide when they sit, stand, lick, or wander away.

This is less suitable for someone who wants Icelandic scenery to be the main event. The focus is the kennel and its animals. You may be just outside Akureyri, but this is not a panoramic mountain tour.

It is also not the right pick if you want to ride behind a team of huskies. Choose it for affection and connection, not speed.

Practical details before you book

Wear clothing you do not mind getting covered with dog hair. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, but close contact with more than one husky makes fur a reasonable possibility.

Keep your hands calm and follow the hosts’ guidance around the dogs. Children should stay supervised, even with friendly animals. A quiet approach usually works better than rushing toward an excited dog.

Plan to arrive ready for pickup 15 minutes early if you are being collected from your accommodation. If you meet at the kennel, use the listed address: Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland.

The activity is conducted in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the group can include up to 12 people. Most people can take part, but the available information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so ask goHusky directly if you have a particular mobility or access need.

Should you book Husky Petting in Akureyri?

Book it if you want an affectionate, family-friendly hour with real sled dogs and the people who care for them. The personal welcome from Gunni and Maria, the possibility of meeting more than 25 huskies, and the chance to see puppies, yarn, ribbons, and trophies give the visit more substance than a basic photo stop.

Think twice if you expect a dogsled ride or a long outdoor adventure. At $84.02, the tour is best value for people who place close animal contact above duration. For that audience, this is one of the easiest ways to add a warm, memorable break to an Akureyri day.

FAQ

Where does Husky Petting begin?

The activity begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

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 husky visit last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour.

How much does Husky Petting cost?

The listed price is $84.02 per person.

What language is the activity offered in?

The activity is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Can children participate?

Yes. Both children and adults can participate, and the huskies are described as intelligent, curious, and friendly.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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