Husky Petting, in Akureyri

The best part of this Akureyri outing is simple: you get close to a large family of friendly huskies, not just a quick photo with one working dog. Gunni and Maria welcome you to their kennel and home, where you can expect plenty of kisses, cuddles, and time with the dogs.

I like the personal welcome and the chance to meet more than 25 huskies, including puppies. I also like that the visit offers more than petting, with a look at husky yarn making and the owners’ impressive collection of racing ribbons and trophies.

The main drawback is the short running time. At about one hour, this is a focused animal visit rather than a full dogsledding trip, and the $84.02 price may feel high if you are looking only for a brief cuddle session.

Key points to know before you book

• More than 25 huskies may be waiting for you: The kennel visit gives you time with a whole family of dogs, not just one or two.
• Gunni and Maria host the visit: Their own connection with the dogs gives the outing a warm, home-based feel.
• Puppies are part of the appeal: If young children are coming, puppy time may be the most memorable part.
• You can look beyond the cuddles: Husky yarn making and racing trophies add useful context to the visit.
• Pickup is available in Akureyri: You are collected 15 minutes before the start if you arrange pickup.
• The group is capped at 12 people: That helps keep the visit more personal and manageable around the dogs.

Meeting Akureyri’s huskies at goHusky

This tour takes you to goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, just outside Akureyri. The activity begins and ends at the same place, which keeps the logistics easy. If you arrange pickup, you should be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour.

The visit lasts about one hour. That is enough time for a close look at the kennel, hands-on contact with the dogs, photos, and conversation with the owners. It is not designed as a long excursion into the Icelandic countryside, so you should book it for the dogs themselves rather than for scenery or a broad sightseeing program.

The setting matters. You are not simply stopping at a petting area with a few animals brought out for tourists. Gunni and Maria have built their life around huskies, and the visit takes place at their kennel and home. That gives you a chance to see the dogs as members of a working family.

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 12. That is a sensible limit for an animal visit. You can expect a more orderly setting than you would get with a large coach group, though the dogs may still be enthusiastic and active.

What the hour with the dogs is like

The central activity is direct contact with the huskies. These dogs are described as intelligent, curious, and friendly, and the visit is built around petting, cuddling, and taking pictures. If you enjoy dogs that happily seek attention, you will find plenty to do.

Many of the huskies are eager to greet new people. Expect affectionate behavior, including plenty of licking. That can be delightful for dog lovers, but it is worth keeping in mind if you prefer a quieter animal encounter or if a child is nervous around large dogs.

The dogs are not presented as a backdrop for a single staged photograph. You can spend time with several of them and enjoy the variety of personalities in the kennel. Some may be more eager for attention, while others may hang back until they feel comfortable. That makes the visit feel more like meeting a large dog family than following a fixed show.

You are also encouraged to take as many photographs as you like. This is useful because the best picture may come when a dog wanders over for attention, gives you a kiss, or settles beside you. Bring a phone or camera that is easy to handle, since your hands may be busy petting dogs.

Puppies, yarn, and a look at kennel life

The puppies add a special layer to the visit. Young children may remember the puppy encounter more than anything else in Iceland, and adults who love dogs will likely find it hard to resist. Puppy access is one reason this outing works especially well for families.

The exact number and age of puppies can change, so you should not book solely on the promise of a particular puppy encounter. Still, the visit includes the possibility of meeting recent puppies, and that is a strong part of its appeal.

Gunni and Maria also share parts of their husky life that go beyond the animals’ friendly nature. You may get a look at husky yarn making, an unusual detail that helps show how the owners use different parts of their dogs’ world in a practical and creative way.

The collection of trophies and ribbons gives you another window into the kennel. These awards point to the dogs’ working and racing background, rather than treating them only as cuddly pets. That balance is valuable. You can enjoy their affectionate side while also learning that they are bred and raised for a purpose.

The visit can therefore answer questions you may have about how the owners came to raise huskies and how they turned their passion into a livelihood. The experience stays informal, but it gives the dogs a story and a role beyond posing for photographs.

Why the personal welcome matters

Gunni and Maria are a major part of the appeal. They welcome you into their home, introduce you to the dogs, and explain how the kennel came to be. The tone is warm and family-oriented, with plenty of room for questions and conversation.

That personal contact makes this feel different from a standard animal attraction. You are not simply moving from one display to another. You are meeting the people responsible for the dogs and seeing the care that goes into a kennel of this size.

The visit also works well for children because the focus is active and immediate. Kids do not need to sit through a long talk before something happens. They can see the dogs, pet them, take pictures, and then listen as Gunni and Maria explain more.

Parents should still stay engaged. Huskies are friendly, but they are not small lap pets. A child who is comfortable with dogs will probably have a great time, while a child who is uneasy around larger animals may need a little space at first. The owners’ presence helps, but every child and dog should have room to respond at their own pace.

Is $84.02 good value?

At $84.02 per person, this is not a budget stop for a one-hour activity. The price makes the most sense if you value a close, personal encounter with many dogs and want to support a small kennel rather than simply fill a spare hour.

You are paying for several things at once: transport may be included if pickup is arranged, the small group setting, access to the kennel, time with the dogs, the hosts’ attention, and the chance to learn about their unusual way of life. The visit also offers puppy time, photographs, and a look at the yarn and trophy collection.

If you are comparing it with a full dogsledding tour, this is a different product. You are not booking a sled ride or an adventure through snow. You are booking contact with the dogs and the people who raise them. For someone who wants to drive a sled, the price will not feel like good value because that activity is not included.

For a family that loves animals, the cost can be easier to justify. You avoid the time and expense of a longer outing, and the children get a direct, memorable activity. A cruise passenger spending a day in Akureyri may also find this a practical use of limited time. The meeting point is fixed, the tour lasts about an hour, and the activity returns to the same place.

The right fit for families and dog lovers

This is a strong choice for families, couples, solo visitors who love dogs, and anyone curious about husky life. Children and adults can take part, and most people are able to participate.

I would especially consider it if you want an experience with a personal touch. The owners’ home, their stories, and the dogs’ different personalities give the visit more substance than a quick animal photo stop.

It may not suit you if you dislike close contact with dogs, do not want animals licking your hands or face, or are looking for a long outdoor adventure. It is also not the best choice if you have only a few minutes, since pickup and the visit need to fit your schedule.

The one-hour format is both a strength and a limit. It is short enough to fit beside other Akureyri plans, but you should not expect a full tour of the region. The value comes from focused time with the huskies.

Practical details for your Akureyri day

You can meet at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered, and you should be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the scheduled start if you use it.

The mobile ticket makes the booking easy to carry on your phone. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is conducted in English.

With a maximum of 12 people, the group is small enough for the owners to manage the dogs and speak with people directly. It also means availability may be limited, which fits with the fact that the activity is often booked well ahead of time. The average booking lead time is 79 days, so you should plan early if this is important to your Akureyri schedule.

The cancellation terms are forgiving if your plans change early. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Icelandic time.

A warm stop for a cruise port day

This outing can work particularly well during a cruise stop in Akureyri. It has a clear meeting point, a short duration, and a return to the starting location. One cruise passenger described it as the best port stop of the trip, which fits the practical shape of the activity.

Still, you should leave enough time around the tour for transport and your ship’s departure schedule. The supplied details do not promise a specific cruise transfer or a guaranteed return-to-ship service, so you remain responsible for getting back to your vessel on time.

For a longer stay in Akureyri, the tour can fill a quiet part of the day without taking over your schedule. You can combine it with other plans, but you should remember that the full outing is about the kennel visit, not a general sightseeing circuit.

Should you book the Husky Petting experience?

Book it if you want close contact with friendly huskies, enjoy informal visits with animal owners, or are traveling with children who love dogs. The combination of more than 25 huskies, puppies, personal stories, husky yarn, and racing trophies gives the hour more depth than a simple petting stop.

Skip it if you want dogsledding, a long outdoor trip, or a lower-cost activity. At $84.02 for about an hour, this is a specialized visit. For the right person, the warm welcome from Gunni and Maria and the chance to meet their full husky family make the price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the Husky Petting tour begin?

It 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 begins.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

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.

What can I do during the visit?

You can pet and cuddle the huskies, take photographs, meet puppies, and learn about the dogs and their owners. You may also see husky yarn making and a collection of racing trophies and ribbons.

What is the price?

The listed price is $84.02 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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