Overview
The Greenland Dog has pulled sledges across sea ice for Inuit hunters for thousands of years and, unlike many northern breeds, is still used that way at home. It is a heavy-boned spitz with a thick double coat, a broad head, small ears and a curled tail. Its nature is closer to a working animal than a pet.
In Britain it is very rare and kept by people who know northern breeds well. Expect strength, stamina and self-reliance. These dogs are usually affectionate with their people, indifferent to strangers and governed by pack rules with other dogs.
Exercise and walking needs
A sled dog without a sled needs a lot. Two and a half hours a day of hard walking, bikejoring or pulling is realistic for a fit adult, and even then the dog will have more to give.
Pulling is what it does. If the owner has a harness and a scooter or rig, that is the best way to exercise it. Otherwise long, fast lead walks and hill work are the fallback.
On the walk
- Recall: Do not test it. Sled dogs run, and a Greenland Dog that gets loose can be miles away in minutes.
- Pulling: Constant and strong, and the dog thinks it is doing the right thing. Use a sturdy harness and a waist belt if the owner approves.
- Other dogs: Pack-bred and often fine with its own group, but may challenge strange dogs, especially of the same sex.
- Prey drive: Cats, squirrels, livestock and small dogs are all at risk. Keep the lead on and stay alert.
Tips for professional walkers
- Check every clip and buckle; this breed finds weak points in equipment.
- Walk in cool weather and avoid hot days; the coat is built for the Arctic.
- Give the dog a real job on the walk, such as pulling or carrying, to tire it.
- Never walk near unfenced livestock.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog pull in harness, and is there a rig or scooter you can use?
- How does it behave with strange dogs, and which dogs does it already accept?
- Has it ever escaped, and how does it react to small animals and livestock?