ABOUT
CHAD STODDARD

Chad has been privileged to learn first hand from some of dog mushing's most recognized and well respected names. Working first with legendary Lance Mackey, Chad learned to be as tough and rugged as the weather and trails that he would experience and travel. Chad completed all of his 750 miles of qualifying races while at Lance's Comeback Kennels. The Copper Basin 300,Yukon Quest 300 and Two Rivers 200. The dogs were mostly ones Chad raised and trained from Puppies. Three of those dogs are still training today for 2026, Juice , Surge and Candle.

Working then with Sven Haltmann, Chad gained new perspectives and insights on dogs and training , leading him to finish at the top of his class in his rookie Iditarod year (2021) and claim the title of the Rookie of the Year with Sven's (and Torsten Kohnert's) dogs.

Sven decided after many years of running a kennel to pursue other adventures and so Chad then moved to Talkeetna where he learned the art of racing from 6 time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey.  Chad raced Dallas' 'Junior Varsity' team to a remarkable 7th place Iditarod finish in 2022, earning Chad the 'Most Improved' award . 

As told to Chad in the airport in Nome leaving his second Iditarod finish by 4-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser, "The only way to improve upon what you have already done, is to do it again with a group of dogs that you've raised yourself." So thats what Chad then set out to do. Moving to Happy Trails Kennel in the fall of 2023, he began working with Martin Buser and learning a new philosophy of dog mushing. In the summer of 2024, Chad and Martin split a litter of puppies that Chad now intends to race to Nome in 2026. Combining his knowledge of all his current and previous mentors Chad is excited to return to the race trail with a group of youngsters he has been with every step of the way.