The Greenland Dog is the oldest breed of a sled dog. For the last millennium of its existence, it has not changed much. These dogs are larger than Siberian Huskies but smaller than Alaskan Malamutes. Their thick, warm coat has two layers that help Greenland dogs withstand both cold and heat. These animals are physically and mentally very hardy, which is not surprising, given the harsh conditions of life in the land of ice.
Characteristics Greenland dog
- Country of origin: Denmark, Greenland
- The size: Large
- Growth: 55–65 cm
- The weight: about 30 kg
- Age: 12–13 years old
- FCI breed group: Spitz and breeds of primitive type
Brief information
- Hardy;
- Calm and smart;
- Friendly, easily finds contact with other animals;
- Requires an experienced owner.
Character Greenland dog
Greenland’s dogs are calm and reserved, but at the same time quite friendly. They are not prone to noisy activities and do not disturb the owners most of the time. Nevertheless, they perceive everything new very emotionally and are often accompanied by loud barking.
Dogs of this breed are very sociable they behave with their family in the same way as if they were their pack. Often, Greenland tries to take the reins of government into their own paws, for this reason, the future owner must have a strong and firm character. From the first meeting, he should be able to show that he is the main one and not the dog. The owner of a pet of this breed must know how to gain credibility in the eyes of the animal. At the same time, it is important to understand that the Greenland dog is sensitive to people and will never respect brute physical strength. Although this breed learns quite quickly, anyone who wants to get a Greenland dog must have training experience. However, if the pet sees a wise leader in the owner, he will try his best to please him.
With good training and socialization, these dogs can be entrusted with communication with children, but you should not leave them unattended. Representatives of the breed are friendly with other dogs, but with other animals, especially small ones, they may have problems due to a fairly strong hunting instinct.
Care Greenland dog
Centuries of natural selection, which took place in such harsh living conditions in the Arctic, have led to the fact that this breed has practically no hereditary diseases. Quite rarely, these dogs can suffer from diabetes, and hip dysplasia and have a predisposition to gastric ovules.
Greenland dogs shed heavily in spring and autumn. Hair loss can be reduced by daily brushing. Otherwise, their thick coat does not need special care. Dogs of this breed should be washed as infrequently as possible, as the hair follicles secrete a special oil that prevents dryness and irritation of the animal’s skin.
Conditions of detention
The incredible stamina of Greenland dogs makes them ideal companions for hiking, running, cycling, and other outdoor activities. These dogs need a huge amount of exercise, which makes keeping them in a city apartment quite difficult. Even a personal yard will not be enough for these dogs.
The future owner must be ready to thoroughly deal with the pet and devote at least two hours of lessons per day to it. Without a mobile pastime, the Greenland dog, unable to express its energy, will set about destroying the house and at the same time will bark loudly and non-stop. Therefore, it is recommended to responsibly approach the content of these dogs.
