It belongs to the oldest dog breeds in the world.

For centuries, the Greenland Dog has accompanied the Inuit in their common homeland: It is said that more than 1.000 years he came with his ancestors from Siberia to North America. In the icy expanses it still serves the inhabitants as a versatile all-rounder and has always been specifically bred for its ability to work and its robustness.. Helped in hunting seals and polar bears, as well as hauling loads through ice and snow, even over long distances. In times of need, it also served as food for the inhabitants in the past.

The outstanding physical abilities of the Greenland Dog they also sparked the interest of the first polar explorers, who saw him as an ideal companion for expeditions. For example, Roald Amundsen, the most successful explorer of the Arctic and Antarctic, was also accompanied by Greenland dogs. The breed has its origin in Greenland and, therefore, is under the patronage of Denmark. Genetically, the Greenland Dog is identical to canadian eskimo dog, that is not recognized by the FCI. Today, the Greenland dog belongs to a total of four breeds of sled dogs. By his side are the Alaskan Malamute, the Samoyed and the Siberian Husky.

The characteristics of this dog have always been more important than its appearance. The strong build allows the Greenland Dog to drag loads through the snow for long periods of time. Size variations are possible, with males generally over 60 cm in height to the cross, females over 55 cm.. The ears are upright, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. This sled dog wears its tail slightly curled on its back. The coat consists of a smooth undercoat and a fairly thick, smooth top coat. The fur is longer on the head, the legs and the lower part of the tail than the rest of the body. All coat colors except merle and albino are allowed. The eyes should be slightly slanted and dark – blue or different colored eyes lead to disqualification according to the standard.

From Greenland, the largest island in the world, this four-legged friend has conquered the hearts of many dog ​​lovers. However, keeping a sled dog like this requires not only experience, but above all a lot of space and time to satisfy the need for movement of this robust worker.

The character of the breed is determined by its field of application: Like Inuit sled dogs, the greenlandic dogs they are very persistent and full of energy. In addition, hunting companions are brave and show a pronounced hunting instinct. Because most of them lived in the herd and rendered their faithful services to various people, do not tend to bond strongly with people , but they are basically human friendly – and therefore are not suitable as watchdogs. However, they do not usually miss the opportunity to greet friends – or strangers – loudly and cheerfully.

Attention: The greenlandic dog may not bark much, but tends to howl a lot. Loves to live with other dogs in a pack.

Who wants to train a Greenland Dog need knowledge, experience with dogs and above all a lot of patience. A clear hierarchy is very important to the independent sled dog and will question it if the opportunity presents itself.. This applies to other dogs as well as their owners. You need a reliable consequence and a sensible education, accept your own head (stubborn) of the race. Exhausting this dog both physically and mentally is the basic requirement for a good education, as a little challenged sled dog will want to vent elsewhere, and this is probably not to the liking of its owners. It makes sense to go to puppy school with this dog, to socialize widely with conspecifics of different sizes and races. If you want to train with the growing dog in a canine school, you should clarify in advance if the trainers have already had experience with the special character of sled dogs.

For centuries, robustness has been the main breeding objective of this four-legged friend, It is not surprising that the Greenland Dog be one of those breeds that have hardly any health restrictions. However, when i buy a puppy, look for parents who are free of hip dysplasia (HD) – some lines may have a slight tendency to this. As with all big dogs, the stomach can also be twisted, so it is important to take breaks after meals. Due to its origin and its fur, that adapts to icy conditions, These breeds are considered to be heat sensitive and, therefore, should not be kept in hot countries. Nor should you encourage your Greenland Dog to carry out sports activities above the 15 degrees Celsius. Your companion will feel correspondingly comfortable in the colder season. In winter, However, be sure to take proper care of the legs, as road salt can quickly lead to chapped or inflamed skin.

A Greenland Dog using sled dogs consumes enormous amounts of energy and needs an appropriately adapted diet. Therefore, it is important to adapt the amount of food to the workload and the constitution of these dogs – information provided by manufacturers can only provide approximate guidelines. Of course, the puppy's energy requirement is not that high yet, since you should only move moderately anyway.

Feed your puppy three to four servings of a high-quality food per day. Regardless of the age of your puppy, meat should be the first element of the diet and therefore the main component of food. In addition, cereals have no place in dog food. If your quadruped is performing well, increase the amount of food accordingly.

Food should be relatively high in fat and low in carbohydrates, as well as dietary fibers to supply your endurance athlete with sufficient energy. It is important that a session of physical activity is carried out with an interval of time between the last meal – it is better to feed your Greenland dog three hours before training and in any case avoid too much exercise after feeding. This is the only way to minimize the risk of a life-threatening stomach twist.. Of course, it is also important that fresh water is always available for your four-legged friend. On longer trips you should take adequate precautions and carry enough water with you.

A coarse toothed comb is sufficient to comb the soft undercoat – this should be done regularly, especially during coat change, because the Greenland Dog misses – not only during this time – a relatively large amount of hair. If your partner has gotten dirty, usually it is enough to let the coat dry and then comb it well. Stubborn dirt should be gently rubbed off the coat with a damp cloth. A bath is not normally necessary – if this happens, use a mild dog shampoo.

Especially with older dogs that move less, you should check if your partner is wearing out his claws enough and if necessary help with claw scissors. They also have eye and ear cleaners and dog tick tweezers ready to use when needed. For dental care, for example, special dog treats are suitable. Or you can use a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, which is particularly effective in fighting tartar. Many dog ​​owners perform this ritual for well-groomed small teeth regularly.. However, if you are considering this, you should accustom your puppy.

Properly use a Greenland Dog in other latitudes it is a demanding task for which only a minority of dog lovers have enough time and space. Ideally, sled dog training should be done with him, which in turn is only possible to a very limited extent in most countries. An alternative is training with special trainers. Also ⓘ Canicross offers sports owners the possibility to discover nature together with their partner. This four-legged friend also likes long walks through the woods as a supplement. Always be aware of your pronounced hunting instinct. It is essential that you have it under control to be able to enjoy relaxed walks. Always pay attention to an age-appropriate load and don't overload your four-legged companion.

Is a Greenland Dog Right for Me?

The Greenland Dog is a four-legged friend for sports connoisseurs who appreciate his independence and want to do many outdoor activities with him. Under no circumstances does this sled dog from the frozen expanses of Greenland belong to an apartment or even the city – nor does it belong to the warm regions of southern Europe. If you want to live with a greenlandic dog, you should think about buying two of them at the same time, because dogs like to hang out with conspecifics. If you live in the country, you can keep your greenlandic dogs in a herd under the open sky in a leak-proof garden with an open kennel. So the heat sensitive sled dog can look for a shady spot in the summer – this should be absolutely available.

Of course, the Greenland Dog also happy with family connections. However, it's not the classic “one person dog”. Anyway, these companion animals are never primarily family or companion dogs, but rather working dogs – you should always be aware of this. If one can use your dog to his full capacity, they can live well with a family and so they are also extremely kid-friendly.

Cats or small animals are not suitable to live with this ambitious hunter. You don't have to be a professional dog if you decide to stay with this four-legged friend, but you must already have some experience with dogs and above all do not underestimate the time required for the workload. Due to these requirements, the Greenland Dog It is a breed for connoisseurs that can meet high maintenance demands.

Where do I find my desired Greenland dog?

A greenlandic dog is a rarity in Central Europe. So if you want a Greenland Dog move in with you, you should contact the Nordic dog breed clubs. They can arrange contacts with Greenland dog breeders – also abroad – and advise you on the breed requirements if necessary. If you are looking for a sled dog and cannot find one in your region, you should consider whether one of the other three sled dog breeds would be an alternative: the Siberian Husky are much more common in Europe. With a little distance one also comes across relatively easily with breeders of malamutes de Alaska or samoyed. But: All breeds pose great challenges to their owners.

If you are looking for a greenlandic dog older and grown up, you should look for Nordic breed dogs, especially in animal shelters. Although you will most likely not find a purebred Greenlandic dog here, many Nordic dogs whose owners have underestimated their urge to move are waiting for a competent new home where they will be given enough occupancy. The most promising way to find them is to search the internet. If required, Nordic dog breed clubs can also give you tips on searching. You will surely find a Nordic quadruped that envelops you in a short time with its charm. Ideally, this person should not live too far from home., so that you and your potential new roommate can get to know each other before you decide to let her move in. Remember that these dogs live better with other dogs of the same species and clarify – with the breeder or the current foster home of the animal protection – how well the new dog fits in well with an existing dog or if you decide to get a duo right away.

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed “Greenland Dog” you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, You must take into account their character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, your care and if you have young children, their level of tolerance towards them.

Greenlandés 7

Greenlandés 6

Greenlandés 5

Greenlandés 4

Greenlandés 3

Greenlandés 2

Photos:

1 – Lulo is the only Greenlandic dog used as a pet in Upernavik, Groenlandia by Slaunger, edited by Thegreenj / CC BY-SA
2 – Greenland Dog by https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-sckxk
3 – Greenland Dog by https://www.needpix.com/photo/836500/greenland-dog-dog
4 – Greenland Dog by https://pixabay.com/es/photos/groenlandia-perro-de-groenlandia-1963005/
5 – Greenland Dog by https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-xodqt
6 – Greenland Dog by https://pixy.org/4674986/
7 – Greenland Dog by https://www.pikrepo.com/nemmp/brown-and-white-short-coated-dog-on-green-grass-during-daytime

THE GREENLAND DOG – ARCTIC POWER HOUSE

Greenlandic sled dogs

Greenland Dog / Breed of dog

Greenlandic Dogs by Avigiaq – Thule Expedition – 2004

• CLASSIFICATION FCI: 274
• Group 5: Spitz and primitive types.
• Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs. Without working trial.

• – FCI – Group 5 – Section 1 Nordic Sledge Dogs. ⓘ
• – CKC – Nordic Sledge Dogs ⓘ
• – UKC – Nordic Sledge Dogs ⓘ

Greenland Dog FCI

1. Kalaallit qimmiat (Qimmeq), Grønlandshund, Grünlandshund, Esquimaux Dog (English).
2. Groenlandais (French).
3. Grønlandshund (German).
4. Gronlandshund (Portuguese).
5. Esquimal de Groenlandia, Groenlandés (Spanish).