Our Shed Dogs

This page exists for one reason: transparency.

The antlers we sell do not come from warehouses, random bulk suppliers, or overseas distributors. Many of them are found by us, on foot, in the woods, with our own dogs. The dogs you see on this page are not marketing props. They are working shed dogs and part of the real process behind every chew we offer.

This is what sets our antlers apart from the hundreds of other online retailers just buying and reselling antlers.

What a Shed Dog Actually Does

A shed dog is trained to locate naturally shed antlers by scent. They are not tracking live animals. They are not chasing wildlife. They are simply trained to recognize the scent of antler and help locate sheds that are already on the ground.

Think of it like a bird dog, but for antlers instead of birds.

This allows us to:

Find fresher sheds sooner
Avoid picking up old, sun-bleached antlers
Spend less time disturbing wildlife
Be selective about what we bring home

Fresh antlers behave better when cut into chews. That is not marketing. That is simple material reality.

How Our Shed Dogs Are Trained

Good shed dogs are not born, they are built.

Our dogs are trained over time to recognize the scent of naturally shed antler and to work independently in the woods. Training happens through repetition, real-world exposure, and trust. Not shortcuts.

They learn:

How to search methodically instead of running wild
How to use wind and terrain to their advantage
How to stay focused in thick cover
How to work for hours without burning out

This training is the difference between a dog that looks good in photos and a dog that actually finds antlers consistently.

It is also why we trust them as part of the sourcing process instead of treating them like props.

Why This Matters for Quality

Not all antlers behave the same way once they are turned into dog chews. Age, storage, and condition make a real difference.

Freshly shed antlers tend to be:

Darker brown in color
Heavier for their size
Slightly moist inside when cut
Less brittle
More likely to wear down gradually instead of cracking

Old antlers are often:

Sun-bleached or chalky white
Extremely dry
Cracked on the surface
Brittle when cut
More likely to splinter instead of wear

Shed dogs help us consistently find antlers in the first category, not the second.

That difference shows up in the chew your dog ends up with.

Meet Our Dogs

Finley

Breed: Australian Shepherd

Finley is the original shed dog of Allagash Antlers and the reason this business exists in the first place. He’s high drive, high energy, and can go all day in the woods without slowing down.

What sets Finley apart is how he works. He doesn’t just run, he thinks his way through the woods. He uses the wind, works cover carefully, and has a habit of circling back to areas that most dogs (and people) would walk right past.

He regularly finds moose antlers our other dog misses and has a real knack for locating small, hidden, or even partially buried sheds in the snow. He does not quit. Ever. If there is a shed hunt happening, Finley is ready.

Tripper

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Tripper is the workhorse of Allagash Antlers and is responsible for the majority of the moose antlers we find. His drive is unmatched, and he will push through thick cover, deep snow, and any obstacle in the woods to make sure an antler is found and retrieved.

He’s built for the job. His strength and power are unreal, and he regularly picks up and carries antlers weighing upwards of 20 pounds or more. If he can’t carry it, he drags it out anyway.

Where Finley is methodical, Tripper is relentless. He leaves no ground unchecked and no cover unexplored. Once he’s on a hunt, he does not stop until the woods are cleared.

How Our Dogs Fit Into the Bigger Picture

Our shed dogs do not supply every single antler we offer. That would be unrealistic. But they set the standard for everything we do.

They influence:

• What we consider "fresh"
• What we consider acceptable quality
• What we reject outright
• How we evaluate partner-sourced antlers

Some antlers are found by us personally. Others come from trusted regional partners who follow the same standards. In all cases, every antler is cleaned, cut, and inspected before it ever becomes a chew.

If an antler does not meet our standards, it does not ship.

Why We Show You This

Most antler brands never show you where their product actually comes from. They show product photos, packaging, and marketing.

We show you the dogs.

Because the dogs are the difference.

They are part of the process, part of the standard, and part of why our antlers behave differently than mass market options.

This page is not here to impress you. It is here so you know exactly what you are buying and exactly who is behind it.

If you ever wondered whether there is a real difference between a bulk antler and one sourced with care, this is it. Real dogs. Real antlers. Real standards.