Surely you have ever been able to see an image of a sled pulled by some beautiful and robust dogs very similar to the Siberian husky, but slightly different. Well, it was probably the Greenland dogs, who since ancient times pulled the sleds of the Inuit Eskimos. These dogs are famous for their strength and tenacity, making them great companions for lovers of nature, sports and outdoor life. Curiously, they are great unknowns, especially if we compare them with other breeds of dogs typical of arctic areas such as the Samoyeds or the aforementioned Siberian huskies
Do you want to meet these huskies? On our site we bring you a little closer to them and tell you all the characteristics of the Greenland dog or Greenlandic dog.
Origin of the Greenland Dog
Greenland dogs are categorized within the group of polar spitz and primitive type dogs. They are a breed of extremely ancient origins, so they are part of one of the oldest dog breeds in the world These dogs have traditionally accompanied the Inuits, that is, the Eskimos of Greenland and northeastern Canada. It was these Greenlandic and Canadian Eskimos who used the Greenland Dogs as draft dogs for their sleds, thus selecting the strongest, he althiest and most resistant specimens. This selection has meant that the Greenland dog specimens that exist today constitute an incredibly robust breed with enviable he alth.
However, they were not only valued for being the ones who drove the sleds, they were also really appreciated by the Eskimos due to their hunting skills, as well as for being excellent and affectionate companions in the rough and tumble. eternal polar winter.
Characteristics of the Greenland Dog
Greenland dogs are dogs of large size, as males have a height at the withers of between 60 and 68 centimeters and a weight that ranges between 28 and 36 kilograms; the females, on the other hand, are in a range of heights that goes from 55 to 61 centimeters and weigh between 26 and 32 kilos. Their life expectancy is around 10-12 years.
The Greenland Dog is characterized by having a proportionate body with elegant lines, with solid and well-developed muscles. The legs are straight, strong and resistant, ending in proportionally large feet compared to the rest of the body. Its tail is very long and it has long, thick fur. The head is large and wide, wedge-shaped, its eyes are medium-sized and slightly tilted upwards, giving it a look similar to that of a fox. Its triangular-shaped ears are medium-small in size compared to its head, with a particularly thick layer of skin that provides insulation against the cold, preventing frostbite.
Greenland Dog Colors
The coat of these dogs has a bilayer structure, so that the lower layer is made up of woolly and dense hair, since its function is to insulate the animal's skin against cold and humidity. The upper layer is the one that we can see with the naked eye, being longer and thicker than the lower one. As for colors, the truth is that all solid colors and patterns with more than one color are allowed in this breed, except for albinism and markings. merle colorHowever, the most frequent are white, black, suede or brown and cinnamon, with different shades. In the pattern of the coat it is very typical to see a "ula" or triangle in the part of the shoulders.
Greenland Dog character
If something defines these dogs, it is their overflowing energy, combined with their self-confidence and courage. This combination makes Greenland dogs strong and protective dogs However, they are not good guard dogs, as they are extremely social and affectionate even with strangers, not being fearful or reticent in contact with new people and environments.
Greenland Dogs are faithful, attentive and affectionate, which is why they are highly valued as companion dogs. They really like to be outdoors and in contact with nature, so they are ideal dogs for athletes and hikers.
On the other hand, these are dogs with highly developed intelligence, as well as surprising levels of attention and curiosity. For this reason, they are quite easy to learn, as we will see in relation to their training.
A very particular characteristic of the Greenland dog, typical of Japanese breeds such as the Akita Inu, is that does not bark, but rather communicate with howls. In this way, he can express how he feels, being easily distinguishable if he is sad, happy or scared by the intonation and intensity of said howls. This particular characteristic made the Eskimos call the howls of Greenland dogs "cry of the wild" or "wild cry".
Greenland dog care
If we live with a Greenland dog, one of the main precautions will be daily exercise, as these animals need high doses of physical activityof high intensity to release all the energy they tend to accumulate. That is why with these dogs a 20-minute walk is not enough to take them out to relieve themselves and give them a ride, they need to run and let off steam. For this reason, Greenland dogs are ideal as sports companions, we can take them on the road, to run or to do any other outdoor sport.
In line with the previous point, it is very important to spend time with the Greenland dog and not only to exercise outside, but also to play with it at homeTo do this, we can offer you intelligence games, make your toys ourselves or acquire the most suitable for our dog.
Regarding the care of the Greenland dog's coat, it is recommended to brush two or three times a week, thus eliminating the dirt and making the hair look he althy and shiny. Baths should not be done frequently, only when necessary. Something fundamental, both for the good condition of the coat and for a good general state of he alth, is food. This has to cover all its nutritional needs, so we have to be quite scrupulous in choosing the most suitable diet for our dog. Learn more about what dogs eat in this other article.
Greenland Dog Education
As we have mentioned before, Greenland dogs are attentive and really intelligent dogs. This, along with their friendly and docile character, makes them easier to train than others. Otherwise, they would not have been as good as sled dogs, since the Eskimos point out that they could be trained with very little effort and that the dedication and tenacity they show is surprising and worthy of admiration. They even highlight how happy they seem when they are trained as puppies by getting them used to shooting harnesses.
Something to keep in mind when training dogs with high energy levels such as the Greenland dog is that we have to ensure that this energy is controlled for training, so it is recommended to performexercise sessions before starting with the training session. We must also bear in mind that in order to prevent our dog from being reticent and sullen before training, punishments and violence of any kind must be avoided, resorting to respectful training techniques based on rewards and affection, such aspositive reinforcement Prizes can not only be sweets or toys, sometimes caresses or shows of affection work better, but it all depends on each specific dog and on going testing which treat works best with our furry companion. Don't miss our guide on how to raise a puppy if you've just adopted one.
Greenland Dog He alth
We have already discussed when introducing you how hardy and he althy Greenland dogs are. They do not suffer from congenital diseases typical of this particular breed, so there are no recorded anomalies in this regard. However, they do suffer from diseases typical of large breed dogs, some of the most worrying due to their incidence and repercussions for the he alth of these dogs are stomach torsion, which can be fatal, and hip dysplasia In the case of dysplasia, we can resort to physical therapy exercises, as well as giving them chondroprotectors, such as omega 3, which keep the joints lubricated to keep them in the best possible condition.
For all of the above, it is essential to carry out regular veterinary check-ups, in which, in addition to diagnostic tests and analyses, the pertinent vaccinations and deworming are carried out, keeping our animal free of parasites and diseases.
Where to adopt a Greenland dog?
The truth is that outside of their place of origin it is very difficult to find them for adoption. However, we always recommend going to the shelters, associations and shelters to see if there is a specimen of this breed for adoption or a mestizo that has certain similarities. However, at this point it is important to remember that there are many dogs that are up for adoption, so the most important thing when choosing your best companion is not that they belong to a certain breed, but that you can meet their needs. to offer you the best life possible.
Having said the above, we insist again on the importance of verifying that you can really dedicate the time that this dog needs in case of finding a Greenland dog for adoption. Let us remember that we are dealing with a very energetic race.
