Husky Petting, in Akureyri

A visit with more than 25 friendly huskies is the heart of this Akureyri experience. You spend about an hour at goHusky’s kennel, where Gunni and Maria welcome you into their home and introduce you to dogs bred for both companionship and sled work. Expect plenty of kisses, cuddles, puppy time, and photographs.

I like the personal welcome and the chance to meet the dogs in a home setting rather than simply viewing them behind a fence. I also like the family appeal: children can enjoy the affectionate dogs, while adults get a glimpse of the owners’ passion, trophy collection, and husky-yarn making.

The main consideration is the price, $84.02 per person, for an activity lasting about an hour. That can feel high if you only want a quick animal encounter, though the small group limit of 12 and the close contact with the dogs make it more than a basic photo stop.

Key points to know before you book

• More than 25 huskies: Expect a lively kennel visit with friendly adult dogs and, when available, young puppies.
• Meet Gunni and Maria: The owners welcome you into their home and explain how their huskies became part of their family and livelihood.
• A strong family activity: Children and adults can pet the dogs, take pictures, and enjoy plenty of cuddling.
• Small maximum group: The experience is limited to 12 people, which helps keep the visit personal.
• Pickup may be available: Be ready outside your accommodation 15 minutes before departure if you arrange pickup.
• A short, focused visit: The activity lasts about one hour and returns to the meeting point at goHusky.

A kennel visit built around affection

This is not a dogsled ride. You will not spend the hour racing across snow or learning to handle a team. Instead, the focus is simple and appealing: spend time with huskies that enjoy meeting people.

The dogs are described as intelligent, curious, and friendly. That matters because the whole activity depends on close contact. You can pet them, cuddle them, and take as many photos as you like. If a husky leans in for attention or offers a face full of kisses, you are in exactly the right place.

I like the clear purpose here. You do not need to be an expert on working dogs, and you do not need to prepare for a physically demanding outing. The experience is built around companionship and contact, making it easy to understand and easy to enjoy.

The setting also gives the visit a more personal feel. Gunni and Maria open their home and kennel to you, rather than presenting a large commercial animal attraction. That allows you to see the dogs as individual members of a family, not just as a group of photogenic animals.

Meeting Gunni, Maria, and the husky family

The owners are a major part of the experience. Gunni and Maria welcome you into their home and explain how they came to raise these dogs and turn their passion into a livelihood. This background adds useful context to what you are seeing.

You may learn about the dogs’ place in the household, their care, and the owners’ long relationship with huskies. The visit can also include a look at a large collection of trophies and ribbons earned through their work with the dogs. For you, this helps connect the cuddly animals in front of you with the skill and dedication behind them.

That balance is one of the best reasons to book. The dogs provide the fun, but the owners give the visit shape. You get more than a quick round of petting because you can also understand why this family has made huskies such a central part of daily life.

The owners’ warmth is another plus. Children are welcomed, and the tone is relaxed rather than formal. If your family is hoping for an activity where nobody needs to sit quietly or follow a long lecture, this should fit well.

What happens during the one-hour visit

The activity begins at goHusky Dogsledding Tours at Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri. From there, you visit the kennel just outside the city. If pickup is arranged, you should be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour begins.

Once at the kennel, the main activity is interaction with the dogs. You can move among the huskies, pet them, cuddle them, and take photographs. The dogs are the focus from the start, so you should expect an energetic atmosphere rather than a quiet museum-style visit.

The number of dogs makes the visit feel full. Meeting more than 25 huskies means you may see a range of personalities, from dogs eager to approach you to others that are more interested in watching the action. That variety is part of the fun, especially for children who enjoy noticing which dogs are most playful or affectionate.

Puppies may also be part of the experience. The chance to meet recent puppies has been a particularly memorable feature for families. Puppies can turn a pleasant visit into the highlight of a holiday, though you should treat this as part of the kennel experience rather than a guaranteed private puppy session.

You also might see how husky yarn is made. This is an unusual detail and gives the visit a practical, homespun side. It shows how the owners use what the dogs naturally provide, while keeping the activity tied to their daily life.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. Since the full activity lasts about an hour, it is easy to fit into a day of sightseeing in Akureyri, though you should allow extra time if pickup is involved.

Why the small group limit matters

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is not an especially tiny group, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large animal park visit.

A smaller group gives you a better chance to spend time with the owners and ask questions. It also makes it easier to take photos without a crowd filling every frame. With many dogs present, space and attention matter. A group of 12 keeps the visit manageable.

For families, this size can be helpful. Children can move from one dog to another without the whole experience becoming a packed queue. Adults can also take part instead of standing at the edge and trying to keep track of the action.

Still, you should expect some bustle simply because many huskies may be in the area at once. If you prefer a very quiet animal encounter, this may feel energetic. If you enjoy a lively group of dogs greeting you at once, that energy is likely part of the appeal.

A good choice for children and dog lovers

This activity suits anyone who enjoys close contact with dogs, especially families with children. The huskies are presented as friendly and curious, and the visit is designed around petting, cuddling, and photographs rather than a technical presentation.

Children often connect quickly with the dogs. The chance to meet puppies can be especially exciting, and the owners make the setting feel welcoming to families. This can be a useful option on a trip where younger children may not have the patience for a long drive, a difficult walk, or a formal cultural tour.

Adults get something from it too. You can learn how Gunni and Maria care for their dogs, see the ribbons and trophies, and hear about the kennel’s history as a family livelihood. The setting also gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy a direct encounter with Icelandic dog culture.

I would be more cautious about booking this for someone who dislikes being approached by animals or wants a structured sightseeing program. The point is interaction, and the dogs may be enthusiastic. The experience also does not promise a dogsled ride, so anyone specifically seeking speed, snow, or outdoor adventure should choose a different activity.

Is $84.02 good value for one hour?

At $84.02 per person, this is not a budget stop. The short duration is the first thing to consider. You are paying for about an hour, so the cost is higher than a simple self-guided visit to an attraction.

The value comes from the access. You are not merely looking at huskies from a distance. You can enter their world, meet a large group of dogs, spend time with puppies when available, talk with the owners, and see personal details such as the trophy collection and husky-yarn making.

The maximum group of 12 also supports the price. A small group usually allows more direct contact with Gunni and Maria and less time waiting for your turn. Pickup, when offered, adds convenience, especially if you are not driving around Akureyri.

I would see this as a special-interest activity rather than an essential stop for every person in Iceland. If you love dogs, the price may feel fair because the experience is centered on the thing you came to see. If you are only mildly interested in huskies, the one-hour format and price may not offer enough value.

The activity has earned a five-star score from 23 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That strong record fits the experience’s clear strengths: kind hosts, affectionate dogs, and a simple format that works well for families.

Planning your arrival at goHusky

The meeting point is goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you have a clear start and finish.

Pickup is offered, and the instructions ask you to be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour. This is useful if you do not have a car or are staying somewhere that makes the kennel difficult to reach. Since the information does not specify every accommodation area covered, confirm pickup details when booking.

The mobile ticket makes the experience convenient to carry on your phone. Confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 79 days. That is a useful signal for planning. If this is important to your family, reserve before your Iceland itinerary fills up, especially if you need a particular date or are visiting during a busy period.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Icelandic time.

What to bring and how to approach the dogs

The supplied details do not list a special packing list, so keep it simple. Bring your phone or camera, since photographs are a major part of the experience, and dress for a visit near Akureyri rather than assuming the kennel will feel like an indoor attraction.

Follow the owners’ directions around the dogs. Even friendly animals have different personalities, and a calm approach is best. Children should stay close to the adults in their group, especially when several large dogs gather at once.

Give yourself time to enjoy the dogs without turning the whole hour into a photo session. The best part may be a husky sitting beside you or a puppy coming over for attention. A few good pictures are worthwhile, but the direct contact is what makes this activity different from simply seeing dogs on social media.

Who should book this Akureyri experience?

Book it if you love dogs and want a personal visit rather than a ride or a large attraction. It is especially well suited to families, couples, and small groups who want a relaxed activity with plenty of affection and photographs.

It is also a smart pick for a cruise stop in Akureyri. The activity is short, pickup may be available, and it returns to the meeting point. One reported cruise visit called it the best port stop of the trip, which makes sense for anyone looking for a memorable shore activity that does not take all day.

Think twice if you want a long outdoor adventure, a scenic drive, or a dogsled excursion. You will spend the hour at the kennel, with the dogs and their owners as the main attraction. The price also requires genuine interest in huskies.

Should you book Husky Petting in Akureyri?

I would book this for dog lovers and families who want real contact with friendly huskies. The combination of more than 25 dogs, possible puppy time, a warm welcome from Gunni and Maria, and a small group limit gives the hour plenty of character.

I would skip it if your main goal is sledding or if $84.02 feels too high for a short activity. But if your children are happiest around animals, or if you want a personal look at a husky family and kennel near Akureyri, this is a focused and memorable choice.

FAQ

Where does Husky Petting take place?

The experience starts at goHusky Dogsledding Tours, Glæsibær 3, 601 Akureyri, Iceland. The visit takes place at a kennel just outside Akureyri.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. You should be ready in front of your accommodation 15 minutes before the tour if pickup has been arranged.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at goHusky Dogsledding Tours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 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.