Denali National Park Crowns 6-Month-Old Husky in Chunky Puppy Day Contest

Q: Which massive husky pup claimed the Chunky Puppy crown, and what intense winter mission awaits this growing giant?

The Chunky Puppy crown went to **Mammoth**. The oversized 6-month-old Alaskan husky is being raised for Denali National Park and Preserve’s demanding winter sled-dog work: hauling freight, breaking trail through deep snow, and helping rangers reach remote backcountry areas in severe subarctic conditions. Park officials say the dogs are trained for **strength, endurance, reliability, and winter adaptability**, not just speed. At Denali, those sled dogs support winter patrols and low-impact access across wilderness terrain where machines can be less practical. Adult freight dogs there typically pull heavy loads over long distances, making Mammoth’s extra size a useful sign of the power he may need for the job ahead.

2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 6

Denali National Park and Preserve named the winner of its “Chunky Puppy Day” contest, which judged which 6-month-old Alaskan husky had grown the heaviest.
Four puppies took part as rangers track their growth before the dogs begin training for park sled work.
The event follows the same playful model as Fat Bear Week, but centers on young huskies being bulked up for future duty.
Those puppies are expected to mature into disciplined sled dogs capable of hauling heavy loads across thousands of miles in Alaska snowstorms.