Although Shilon grew up with a Husky, she met her first Alaskan Malamute when just nine years old and knew that would be the breed she wanted someday. It was many years later, in 1982, when she and her husband David began their search for the right dog. Together they built a kennel of well-known working dogs and started Black Ice.

David's interest in outdoor activities led them to select Alaskan Malamutes that would have superior working ability and attitude. For many years David and Shilon trained a very successful Alaskan Malamute team for freight racing. Both enjoyed weight pulling with their dogs as well. Shilon showed their best dogs to their American and Canadian championships. In recent years they have trained more for the type of work Malamutes were meant to perform. For David winters were accented by long trips in northern Minnesota and Canada, breaking trail and camping with his team. A notable trip was one he made with another musher into Hudson Bay by way of trapline trails.

In 1993 David appeared in the Disney film "Iron Will" with his 7-dog team led by one of their best dogs, Chase (Ch. Black Ice's High Speed Chase, WLDX, WTDX, WWPD). For over three months David and the team were filmed portraying one of the lead characters, Borg. Their dogs have appeared in numerous media projects, including a feature in Animal Planets "Breed All About It" production on the Alaskan Malamute.

Over the years the number of dogs in their kennel has been reduced, but the Bedfords still strive to produce a top quality Malamute that can be competitive in the show ring as well as being a superior sled dog. David and Shilon have been members of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America since 1984. Shilon has served on the Working Dog Committee and for the past 14 years has served on the Board of Directors. In the late 1980's Shilon contacted local breeders and helped to establish a local club, the Minnesota Malamute Club. She is also a member of the Northern Working Dog Association. In recent years Shilon has expanded her involvement with dogs by becoming an AKC licensed judge.

David and Shilon, along with their daughter Cianna, still enjoy caring for a summer litter of pups and helping families learn about the unique character of sled dogs. Black Ice Dogsledding Equipment has been an important part of their life since 1985. Over the years they have worked to provide their customers with quality equipment and the help they need to make their sledding experience successful. Whether you have a large kennel of sled dogs or are just beginning your sled dog experience, they are happy to help you and your dogs have a great sledding adventure.

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