WHEN you think of sled dogs, the image of a great Alaskan Malamute sledging down a grass verge somewhere in Gwent does not come to mind.

But happen it does.

Newport Sled Dogz, are a group made up of dog lovers who wish to promote good and responsible dog ownership.

The message, a dog is not just for Christmas, has never been truer and Nicola Dunning, one of the group's administrators, along with her fellow members, is keen to promote this.

Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Russian Samoyeds and Japanese Akita are just some of the breeds which come along to the group, where owners walk together and can give advice and share tips on each others dogs.

The group promotes, "productive, responsible dog ownership."

Like other members of the group, Mrs Dunning is extremely passionate about her Nordic dogs and wants potential dog owners to know what hard work it is to care for one of these dogs.

"It is not a breed for first time dog owners," she said.

"You need to know what you are doing.

"How to train them, to know what problems are involved with the different breeds because they all have their own nuances."

Mrs Dunning said her two Alaskan Malamutes, Shila, a female giant and her brother Desna, has become part of her family and she treats them with great care and respect.

"They are my fur kids," she said.

"I never wanted children, these are what I wanted.

"I have had many health problems and on more than one occasion they have saved my life."

The group was set up in 2011 and has proved extremely helpful for fellow Nordic dog owners, who seek out advice from other owners of this particularly niche breed.

Mrs Dunning said the group has gone global, with people as far as the USA and Australia seeking members out for help.

"We have got some fantastic members who will help you out," she said.

An important aspect of the group is that it supports the " No Off Lead" rule, unless owners and their dogs are in a safe, fenced off area such as a tennis court.

The group is very sociable and meets regularly to walk and work their dogs in a comfortable, safe and controlled environment.

But walking is not its only activity. Mushing on dry land is something which allows the dogs to really stretch their legs and provides a lot of fun for all the family.

Mrs Dunning said: "It is good exercise and they do what they were born to do.

"It is great fun and the dogs love it."

The technique was developed hundreds of thousands of years ago by the Alaskan community and people would travel on expeditions being pulled by the dogs.

Nordic dogs are working dogs which is why members like Mrs Dunning stresses how important it is these dogs are only owned by people who have the time, and money, to allow the dogs to roam free like they need to be.

They are a "commitment" and owners need to be aware these dogs require a lot of attention and are "24 hours a day."

"They are expensive dogs to maintain," Mrs Dunning said.

"They are very food motivated.

"You have to be on your toes with them all the time."

Particularly in hot weather as the dogs are only exercised throughout the cooler months, from October until March, so require even more attention as they have to be kept cool and watered and exercised not in the scorching heat of the day.

Mrs Dunning said there was "something special" about the breed and she understood why so many people are drawn to them.

"If you look into their eyes you see a complete soul," she said.

"They love children and people.

"They are very clever and understand emotion.

"If you are upset they will see and give you a bear hug.

"They are clowns, they are mischievous, they talk to you by 'woooing'. They have personalities."

The group will always to what it can to help people out with a breed they feel so passionately about, but this kindness extends past the Nordic breed to all dogs.

It states in exceptional circumstances it does what it can to help with the rehoming of dogs and says it is there to help, inform and educate people about sled dogs and their needs.

But above all, the group urges its members to enjoy their dogs with like minded people and to come along and make new friends.

Mrs Dunning said: "People see these dogs in films and they do not know how to control them.

"Films glorify these dogs without educating people."

This is something the group seeks to stop and hopes people think seriously before taking on one of these fantastic breeds.