Welcome to Betcha Katcha Kennels, a premier racing kennel based in Fife Lake, located in northern lower Michigan.  Betcha Katcha Kennels was established in 1975 by Dale and Barb Munford.  Lori joined the Betcha Katcha team several years later to learn the day to day running of the kennel, study genetics/breeding, training of teams and to participate in some racing.  In 1980 Ken joined the Betcha Katcha team and started driving dogs and racing.  Ken and Lori took over the day to day running of the kennel in 1997.  With the reputation they had built for racing and sled dog breeding lines, Betcha Katcha Kennels was ready to be taken to a higher level of racing. The Betcha Katcha Kennels racing team has excelled into some of the most highly competitive and acclaimed races in the country such as Fur Rondy World Championship, The Open North American Championship and the TOK Race of Champions just to name a few.

            With 30 years of training and racing Betcha Katcha Kennels has developed a rigorous training schedule that begins in the spring shortly after returning from the Alaska race season.  Early training is primarily focused on the yearlings.  The yearlings are observed for their ability to run, their gaits, and if they have a natural drive and the potential for stamina.  This training schedule continues on into fall to build muscle and endurance, while still maintaining control.  All of this helps to determine which 36 dogs go out of the 40 – 50 will make the team for Alaska.

Spring is also the time were Betcha Katcha Kennels looks into the breeding program. Betcha Katcha dogs are sought after racers, due to the cross-breeding that has been done over the years.  Betcha Katcha dogs are a cross between the Alaskan Husky, English Pointer and German Shorthair Pointers. With these lines, our intense training and ability to analyze dogs to determine which are the best suited dogs for the racing team and others suited for shorter a distance is what makes Betcha Katcha Kennels a successful racing team.

  Betcha Katcha Kennels believes that the future of dog sledding is in the young mushers.  It is important for young mushers to learn the importance of quality dog care, teamwork, sportsmanship, performance and leadership.  Betcha Katcha Kennels often visit local schools to allow the children to see “first hand” what a dog truck and dog team looks and feels like, and to see the true respect and bond that Betcha Katcha Kennels has achieved with our team.