Greenland Dog

The Greenland Dog is an ancient Arctic breed developed to thrive in extreme cold and demanding conditions. Closely related to the Canadian Eskimo Dog, it is known for its strength, stamina, and remarkable ability to pull heavy sleds over long distances. Once essential to survival in the Arctic, the breed now faces new challenges as climate change and modern life reduce its traditional role.

History and Origin

The Spitz-type dog and the rare, genetically distinct husky have a strong, powerful body and thick fur. Although it is identical to the Canadian Eskimo Dog, it is lighter and taller, and is the only breed in Greenland that has been successfully maintained with restrictions for safeguarding its purity. Both were brought from Siberia to North America by the Thule people 1,000 years ago, while the Greenland Dog arrived in Greenland with the Inuit people 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.

These dogs are well known for their amazing endurance to pull loaded sleds for miles upon end, day after day! They can do this by drawing more energy from fat and protein, more quickly and efficiently than most other animals, as opposed to the need to pull much energy from fast-burning glycogen. This also allows the Greenland Dogs to be prepared to run the next day and the day after that.

Today, although several projects preserve the breed’s sledding culture, knowledge, and use, and it remains a companion dog in many parts of the world, its population is decreasing due to climate change.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

The Greenland Dog is a medium to large size long hair dog with an average size for males of between 23 and 27 inches and females of 20 to 24 inches. Males weigh between 75 and 105 pounds lbs fully grown, and females between 60 and 91 pounds fully grown. Puppies weigh 9 lbs on average at 8 weeks of age and are typically fully grown at 18, reaching full weight at 24 months.

Health Issues

This is an ancient breed and predominantly healthy, meaning most dogs live full lives without any serious issues. However, some have been known to experience specific issues such as glaucoma, lens luxation, gastric torsion (bloat), and joint dysplasia of the hips and elbows. Dysplasia occurs when the bone loosens from the joint socket, with signs of discomfort being pain and lameness in one or both rear legs.

Additionally, gastric (torsion) bloat is a potentially fatal condition that causes bloating. Greenland dogs can also experience other musculoskeletal issues, as well as working injuries, if they are out in the field.

The best way to greatly reduce the chances of such issues is to buy from a reputable breeder. So, ensure your breeder is trustworthy by having done health checks on both parent dogs and avoiding breeding dogs with severe health issues.

Temperament

These dogs are famous for their traits of independence, high energy, and stubbornness. Their boisterous behavior and demanding yet sociable personality make them a good choice for active singles and active families with houses and backyards, especially those with additional dogs. They are also intelligent, trainable, and one of the most energetic breeds.

Because of this, the breed needs socialization and training from an early age in order to minimize destructive behavior and encourage positive traits. Their personality finds fulfillment with exercise junkies or highly active people who can give them plenty of space and exercise.

How To Take Care of One

Experienced and active pet owners looking for how to care for Greenland dogs, specifically puppies, must consider unique factors related to their care. Whether it’s known or working issues like glaucoma or hip dysplasia, or care related to their energy and lifestyle needs, these dogs have breed-specific factors that are important to think about.

The Best Dog Food for Them

Greenland dogs, especially puppies, have unique health considerations due to their specific breed and large size. Therefore, new owners should consider the following factors when choosing food for their pets.

Greenland dog puppy food: Due to their size and genetic makeup, Greenland dogs need a well-balanced, healthy diet of 6 to 8% of the puppy’s weight in 3 to 4 meals for up to 6 months. You can choose from raw, homemade, or dry kibble options. When considering wet or dry food for puppies, consider a brand that satisfies all of their nutritional needs and includes at least 25% protein along with essential fatty acids, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Dog food that focuses on meat first and includes vegetables and starches is a good choice. One-third meat (or fish), one-third vegetables, and one-third rice are best. If their diet is lacking in vitamins, calcium, and other minerals, consider adding powder or tablet food supplements to meals.

Greenland dog adult dog food: When the puppy reaches 90% of its final weight, it’s ready to change to an adult diet of 2 meals a day. Smaller, more frequent meals instead of one big meal can reduce the risk of gastric torsion (bloat), a potentially fatal condition in large breeds. Similar to puppy dog food considerations, pet owners should consider feeding their Greenland dogs food that contains one-third each of meat (or fish), vegetables, and starches.

Maintenance And Grooming

Although the Greenland Dog has long, thick fur, it is not prone to shedding. It is also resistant to dirt. Like other dogs, Greenland dogs need flea and tick treatment, but as far as grooming goes, it only requires brushing 2 to 3 times a week and a bath every 3 to 4 months.

Training

This is a Spitz-type breed used for working, specifically for hunting, pulling, and sledding, as well as racing. It has been used to hunt seals, whales, and polar bears. Whether they are alone with an owner or in a pack, they need a strong alpha leader who is consistent, patient, and not overly demanding. It is intelligent and easily trainable but stubborn, so you will need to stick to the rules and put a lot of time and energy into training. 3 to 4 months of age is an appropriate starting point.

Exercise

Greenland dogs have some of the highest energy levels of any breed. In fact, they need over 2 hours of activity a day. However, it is not enough to just walk for 2 hours. They need a variety of tasks to do. Puzzles are a great option along with toys, a house, and a backyard to play and run around in. Owners with multiple dogs, other pets, or an active household can also provide more company and entertainment.

Puppies

Greenland dog puppies need socialization and training starting at 3 to 4 months of age. They need meals 3 to 4 times a day, up to 6 months or when they reach 90% of their final weight, at which point they can have an adult dog diet of 2 meals a day.

With Children

Greenland dogs tend to do well with children, provided they have been socialized and trained from an early age. They have a low tendency of biting and mouthing and need the same training against such behavior as any other breed, and like other breeds, will bite and mouth the most during puppyhood.

Similar Dogs

Greenland dogs are genetically identical to Canadian Eskimo dogs and are considered the same breed, with the only difference being their country of habitat. Their closest genetic relatives are the Arctic dog breeds. Inuit dogs share a common female ancestor by way of maternal mitochondrial DNA sequence haplotype A31. Similar-looking but genetically distinct breeds are the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, and Malamute. The latter is related to Chukotka sled dogs from Siberia and is different from the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog. That’s because the Malamute and the Siberian Husky maintained their genetic lineage from Siberia, and both contributed greatly to the Alaskan Husky.

Greenland dogs are a rare and genetically distinct husky dog. They are also a spitz-type breed, meaning they have pointed, triangular ears, strong jaws, long muzzles, feathered, long tails that curl over their backs, and thick, often-white fur. Spitz-type dogs look similar to wolves since they descended from wild dogs being bred with wolves.

Dogs similar to the Greenland Dog are the Finnish Spitz, the Samoyed, and the German Shepherd.

• Finnish Spitz: Another Spitz-type dog used to cold climates, it is known for barking a lot.
• Samoyed: Bred in Siberia to herd reindeer, pull sleds, and hunt, they shed more than Greenland dogs, and their fur is totally white.
• German Shepherd: With a similar temperament and size of the Greenland Dog, they shed more than Greenland dogs.

Famous Examples

Greenland dogs are a decreasing icon of Greenland due to climate change and the reduced need for sled dogs as snowmobiles and modernization have replaced traditional sledding.

However, there is a famous Greenland Dog in history. Polaris was the lead dog on explorer Admiral Peary’s 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole. It was the sled dogs that accompanied Admiral Peary that helped him reach the North Pole, as he noted. Polaris went with him to the United States and sired puppies. It is said that the Chinook breed started by crossing a Greenland Dog named Ningo, who was the granddaughter of Polaris, with a Saint Bernard.