As the name suggests, the Greenland dog comes from Greenland. The Greenland dog is a hard worker used as a sled dog in the Arctic. It is a friendly, boisterous and independent dog. The Greenland dog prefers to live with its own kind in larger groups. Due to its character, this dog breed is less suitable as a family dog.
He is not very attached to people, but is friendly. They need a lot of exercise and are difficult to raise. But if they have had a proper socialization, they grow into obedient dogs that like to work hard. Are you curious and would you like to know more about the Greenland dog? Then read on!
History: one of the oldest breeds in the world
The Greenland dog, also called Eskimo dog, is a breed of dog that belongs to the spitz dogs. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. In fact, this breed arrived in Greenland about 5,000 years ago. Originally, this sled dog comes from the Scandinavian area.
This dog breed was used as a sled dog and pulled the sled during long trips. The Greenland dog was also used as a hunting dog. In fact, it was a powerful dog that could help the Inuit tribe in hunting polar bears, among others. As you can imagine, the Greenland dogs lived in harsh conditions during this time. Only the strongest and healthiest dogs survived these arduous journeys. These dogs were further bred with, so that a strong and robust breed of dog remained.
The character: friendly, independent and energetic
The Greenland dog is a real working dog and is not suitable as a family dog. With proper socialization, he will be friendly towards his owner and other people and children. But because the Greenland dog is independent and confident, he does not easily attach to people. In addition, he has an enormous amount of energy. If this dog does not get enough exercise, he will be unhappy. In an apartment with little space he will not feel at ease. This breed prefers to live in a cold climate and needs a lot of space to feel at ease.
The Greenland dog is not a watchdog. However, he does have a natural hunting instinct. Therefore, he must be well socialized with other animals. A Greenland dog does get along very well with other sled dogs. This dog breed therefore likes to live in larger groups and finds it difficult to be alone.
The appearance of a Greenland dog
The Greenland dog is a robust dog and has a powerful and imposing appearance. A male dog has a height at the withers of at least 60 centimeters. A bitch has a height at the withers of at least 55 centimeters. The Greenland dog can reach a maximum height of 65 centimeters. On average, this dog breed weighs between 30 and 40 pounds. A male dog is usually heavier than a female.
The build of a Greenland dog is sturdy and muscular. The torso is longer than the shoulder height. The legs are strong and balanced with the body. The tail is curled and carried over the back. The head is slightly domed and is wider between the ears. The ears are erect and are triangular and small. The eyes are dark in color and almond-shaped. The muzzle has a medium length.
The coat consists a soft, thick undercoat and a dense, rough upper coat. The double coat protects the dog from extreme cold. The coat occurs in a variety of colors. Among others black, white, gray and white spotted. The coat of a Greenland dog can be solid in color, but can also consist of multiple colors. In addition, some Greenland dogs have a pattern in the coat.
The care
The Greenland dog can be kept indoors and outdoors. If the dog is kept outside, he generally needs less care. It is wise to brush the coat of the Greenland dog regularly. At least once a week, but it is desired to do it more often. Twice a year the dog sheds more; this is also called the molt. Then daily brushing is advised. You can also use a special comb with a double row of pins, so loose hairs can easily be removed.
Besides the coat care, it is important to keep the ears and eyes clean. You can do this with a damp cloth. By keeping the ears and eyes clean, you reduce the risk of infections. The nails should be regularly checked and trimmed if necessary.
In addition to the external care, exercise and nutrition are also very important. The Greenland dog is not a city dog and needs a lot of exercise. He benefits from a large fenced garden, so he can use his energy. Quality food is also recommended.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
A Greenland dog reaches an average age of 12 years. Due to the harsh living conditions in the Arctic, only the strongest dogs survive. Because these strongest dogs have been bred with, most Greenland dogs are robust and strong. When properly cared for, they are therefore generally healthy dogs. Nevertheless, due to their physique, there are two main hereditary diseases that a Greenland dog can be affected with.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Stomach tilt
In any medium to large dog, there is an increased risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. In this condition, the parts of the joints do not fit together properly. This can cause wear and tear and cause a lot of pain. It is important to let young dogs move in a controlled way, so that the joints are not overloaded. The Greenland dog also has an increased risk of hip and elbow dysplasia.
Because the chest of the Greenland dog is quite large, stomach tilt can occur. In case of a stomach tilt, the stomach will turn in the chest, which can be very dangerous and even deadly. Therefore, the advice is to let the dog exercise only quietly for the first two hours after eating. Do not immediately start playing with him or engaging in intensive activities. In addition, give the dog small meals several times a day instead of a few of large meals.
It is important to keep a close eye on the dog’s health. If there are any changes in appearance and behavior, you can always call in the vet. He will investigate further and try to correct any problems.
Did you know?
A Greenland dog can handle the cold very well and will not be happy with temperatures above 15°C. His double and thick coat is made for the cold. He therefore prefers to live in cold areas. His area of origin, Scandinavia, is suitable for this dog breed. Also the North of Canada has the perfect climate for this breed. Overall the US is too warm.
Dog training for this breed
The Greenland dog is independent and rambunctious. These character traits make this dog breed difficult to train. The education and socialization of a Greenland dog takes a lot of patience, time and energy. The Greenland dog is also dominant and likes to follow his own instinct.
He likes to do what he wants. Therefore, as an owner you must be strong and have a consistent approach. With proper socialization and upbringing, the Greenland dog is a hard working dog and loyal to his owner. Keep in mind that the Greenland dog is not suitable for a beginner. Experience in raising dogs is important when raising a Greenland dog.
A basic training is recommended for every dog. In a puppy course, you build a bond with your dog and he learns to listen to you. Also, during a puppy course, the dog learns how to interact with other dogs. In addition, the basic commands are covered. Basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘lie’ and ‘stay’ ensure more peace and security.
What does a Greenland dog cost?
You should expect to spend around $1200 for a Greenland dog. Do you live in a climate where the Greenland dog can live a happy life? Then it is important that you always buy a dog from a recognized breeder or from a shelter. An authorized breeder is aware of the health of the breed and the pedigree. Also, a recognized breeder takes good care of the mother dog and the puppies. When you visit the litter, you can see the mother dog and you can see the character. There is a good chance that the puppy has the same character.
When you purchase a dog, you must also consider maintenance costs. Vet, food and taxes are some costs that come back regularly. You also need to consider costs such as buying toys, a basket, grooming supplies and a leash.
How much exercise does this breed need?
The Greenland dog is a very energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise. This dog breed is a working dog and is used to pulling a sled for miles. In fact, he has such great stamina that he can do hard work in temperatures as low as -56°C. In addition to its greater endurance, it has a lot of strength. Therefore, it is not a suitable dog for running alongside a bicycle. He can pull you around just like that, which can cause dangerous situations.
This dog needs much more exercise than the daily walks that are sufficient for most family dogs. Too little exercise can even make this breed dissatisfied and unhappy. So with this breed you will be busy most of the day to make sure he gets enough exercise. It is important that a Greenland dog is always on a leash. He will otherwise go exploring and not come back. This has to do with his hunting instinct.
Recognition in the US
Since 1996, the United Kennel Club recognized the Greenland dog. They take care of the quality of the breed and try to improve it throughout the world. Breeders of this breed should take care of the health, welfare and essence of this breed.
Do you already own a Greenland dog or have you become interested in this breed?
You have read in this article that a Greenland dog is not suitable as a family dog. This dog breed likes to live together with other sled dogs and is also difficult to train. The Greenland dog is a real working dog and is friendly towards people. With proper socialization, it is obedient and will work hard.
Despite the fact that you probably will not buy a Greenland dog, this is an impressive dog to see. Have you ever been in contact with this robust and powerful dog? Or would you like to share your experiences with this dog? Then leave a comment below this article!
