Manitou Crossing Kennels, owned by Blake and Jennifer Freking, is home to approximately 65 AKC Siberian Huskies which race competitively in long distance sled dog races throughout the US and Canada. They are devoted to the future of the working Siberian Husky and focused on the health and well being of their dogs. They both began working with Siberian Huskies about 20 years ago and joined forces in 2000 with the goal of establishing a strong line of Siberian Huskies and raising and training their dogs in the best way possible. They built their log home on 120 remote acres in Northeast MN and developed excellent training conditions for their sled dogs. Their dogs are truly part of the family and benefit from the best nutrition, care, and environment possible. Their teams are proving that the Siberian Husky is very capable of competing successfully in races such as the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, Hudson Bay Quest, Can Am Crown, Race To The Sky and John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

Blake's team won the 2004 Beargrease Marathon. Then he finished 12th in the 1000-mile 2005 Yukon Quest while Jen finished 2nd with their second team in the Beargrease Marathon. In 2006, Blake and Jen claimed 2nd and 3rd in the Beargrease Marathon, then 4th in the UP 200 and 6th in Can-Am 250. Jen and Blake both competed in the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and finished just 9 seconds apart, setting a new record for an all Siberian Husky Team!

In 2019, both raced in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, with Blake finishing in 1st place and Jen finishing in 2nd place.

Blake and Jen were also proud to be a central part of the film "Lure of the North," a short film highlighting the passion and intrigue surrounding the winter sport of dog sledding. Watch the film below!