Greenland Dog

Canis lupus

Last updated: February 11, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Chris Christophersen/Shutterstock.com

The Greenland Dog can live in temperatures as cold as -35 to -75 degrees Fahrenheit.


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Greenland Dog Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Greenland Dog Conservation Status

Greenland Dog Locations

Greenland Dog Locations

Greenland Dog Facts

Fun Fact
The Greenland Dog can live in temperatures as cold as -35 to -75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Diet
Omnivore
Common Name
Greenland Dog
Slogan
Strong and speedy breed of dog!

Greenland Dog Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Black
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
12 years
Weight
30kg (66lbs)

Greenland Dog as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Low
Preferred Temperature
Cold climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Group
Pure bred cost to own
$500-800
Dog group
Working
Male weight
66-70 lbs
Female weight
66-70 lbs

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The Greenland Dog, aka the Greenland Husky, is a medium to large working dog breed valued for its strength, speed, and toughness in drawing sleds, racing, and hunting.

History and Origin

The Spitz-type dog and rare, genetically distinct husky has a strong, powerful body and thick fur. Although it is identical to the Canadian Eskimo Dog, it is lighter and taller, and only the breed in Greenland that has been successfully maintained with restrictions for safeguarding its purity. Both were brought from Siberia to North America by the Thule people 1,000 years ago, while the Greenland Dog arrived in Greenland with the Inuit people 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.

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These dogs are well known for their amazing endurance to pull loaded sleds for miles upon end, day after day! They can do this by drawing more energy from fat and protein, more quickly and efficiently than most other animals, as opposed to the need to pull much energy from fast-burning glycogen. This also allows the Greenland Dogs to be prepared to run the next day and the day after that.

Today, although several projects preserve the breed’s sledding culture, knowledge, and use and it remains a companion dog in many parts of the world, its population is decreasing due to climate change.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Pros!Cons!
They are loyal, affectionate and sociable. Once they are bonded with their owners, they make extremely devoted pets. When socialized from a young age they love people and can do well in a busy household or in a group with other dogs.They are stubborn. Not a good choice for first-time dog owners since they need an assertive and experienced dog handler. They are intelligent and easy to train but need consistency from a strong leader.
They are good guard dogs and watchdogs. They are alert and will bark when something is amiss.They are very energetic and prone to wanderlust. This breed is not suitable for apartments and they need well-fenced backyards to play and spend time alone in.
They require minimal grooming. Their fur is low maintenance, although it is not hypoallergenic.They can act out and have howling frenzies. As average to high barkers, they can bark if they are not entertained or exercised enough. They can also act out in destructive ways if they do not have a variety of tasks.

Size and Weight

The Greenland Dog is a medium to large size long hair dog with an average size of 23.5″ or between 22-25″ for both genders. Males weigh on average 70.5 lbs fully grown and females 66 lbs fully grown. Puppies weigh 9 lbs on average at 8 weeks of age and are typically fully grown at 18, reaching full weight at 24 months.

Health and Entertainment for your Greenland Dog

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Height (Male)23-27″
Height (Female)20-24″
Weight (Male)66-100lbs fully grown
Weight (Female)60-72lbs fully grown
Greenland dogs in Kulusuk village in Greenland

Greenland Dog males weigh on average 70.5 lbs fully grown and females weigh 66 lbs fully grown.

©Chris Christophersen/Shutterstock.com

Health Issues

This is an ancient breed and predominantly healthy, meaning most dogs live full lives without any serious issues. However, some have been known to experience specific issues such as glaucoma, lens luxation, gastric torsion (bloat) and joint dysplasia of the hips and elbows. Dysplasia occurs when the bone loosens from the joint socket, with signs of discomfort being pain and lameness in one or both rear legs. Additionally, gastric (torsion) bloat is a potentially fatal condition that causes bloating. Greenland dogs can also experience other musculoskeletal issues as well as working injuries if they are out in the field.

The most common issues these dogs face are:

  • Glaucoma
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Gastric torsion (bloat)

The best way to greatly reduce the chances of such issues is to buy from a reputable breeder. So ensure your breeder is trustworthy by having done health checks on both parent dogs and avoiding breeding dogs with severe health issues.

The Greenland Dog is an ancient breed and predominantly healthy, meaning most dogs live full lives without any serious issues.

©Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Temperament

These dogs are famous for their traits of independence, high energy, and stubbornness. Their boisterous behavior and demanding yet sociable personality make them a good choice for active singles and active families with houses and backyards, especially those with additional dogs. They are also intelligent, trainable, one of the most energetic breeds.

Because of this, the breed needs socialization and training from an early age in order to minimize destructive behavior and encourage positive traits. Their personality finds fulfillment with exercise junkies or highly active people who can give them plenty of space and exercise.

close up of a Greenland dog

The Greenland dog was used to pull sleds and hunt bears and seals.

©LouieLea/Shutterstock.com

How To Take Care of One

Experienced and active pet owners looking for how to care for Greenland dogs, specifically puppies, must consider unique factors related to their care. Whether it’s known or working issues like glaucoma or hip dysplasia, or care related to their energy and lifestyle needs, these dogs have breed-specific factors that are important to think about.

The Best Dog Food for Them

Greenland dogs, especially puppies, have unique health considerations due to their specific breed and large size. Therefore, new owners should consider the following factors when choosing food for their pets.

Greenland dog puppy food: Due to their size and genetic makeup, Greenland dogs need a well-balanced, healthy diet of 6-8% of the puppy’s weight in 3-4 meals for up to 6 months. You can choose from raw, homemade, or dry kibble options. When considering wet or dry food for puppies, consider a brand that satisfies all of their nutritional needs and includes at least 25% protein along with essential fatty acids, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Dog food that focuses on meat first and includes vegetables and starches is a good choice. One-third meat (or fish), one-third vegetables, and one-third rice are best. If their diet is lacking in vitamins, calcium, and other minerals, consider adding powder or tablet food supplements to meals.

Greenland dog adult dog food: When the puppy reaches 90% of its final weight, it’s ready to change to an adult diet of 2 meals a day for up to a year. Smaller, more frequent meals instead of one big meal can reduce the risk of gastric torsion (bloat), a potentially fatal condition in large breeds. Similar to puppy dog food considerations, pet owners should consider feeding their Greenland dogs food that contains one-third each of meat (or fish), vegetables, and starches.

So, in our opinion at A-Z Animals, the best dog food for Greenland Dogs is Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Lamb Dry Dog Food.

With lamb as the first ingredient, this quality kibble also has natural chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine from chicken, which helps strengthen the cartilage and joints. Plus, there’s beta-carotene, an important nutrient for eye health. Finally, the natural fiber from healthy grains combines with a prebiotic blend that makes this food easy to digest.

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Best for Large Breed
Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
  • Adult large breed dry dog food for large breed dogs 15 months or older, weighing over 55 lb.
  • Promotes lean muscle development and joint health in active adult dogs with a combination of animal protein, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine.
  • Helps keep dogs sharp and supports healthy brain function with DHA and vitamin E.
  • Fuels an active lifestyle with optimal levels of fats and carbohydrates.



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Maintenance And Grooming

Although the Greenland Dog has long, thick fur, it is not prone to shedding. It is also resistant to dirt. Like other dogs, Greenland dogs need flea and tick treatment, but as far as grooming goes, it only requires brushing 2-3 times a week and a bath every 3-4 months.

Training

This is a Spitz-type breed used for working, specifically for hunting, pulling, and sledding, as well as racing. It has been used to hunt seals, whales, and polar bears. Whether they are alone with an owner or in a pack, they need a strong alpha leader who is consistent, patient, and not overly demanding. It is intelligent and easily trainable but stubborn, so you will need to stick to the rules and put a lot of time and energy into training. 3 to 4 months of age is an appropriate starting point.

A pale Greenland husky working dog stands chained to rock

Whether they are alone with an owner or in a pack, Greenland Dogs need a strong alpha leader who is consistent, patient, and not overly demanding.

©Tony Skerl/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

Greenland dogs have some of the highest energy levels of any breed. In fact, they need over 2 hours of activity a day. However, it is not enough to just walk for 2 hours. They need a variety of tasks to do. Puzzles are a great option along with toys, a house, and a backyard to play and run around in. Owners with multiple dogs, other pets, or an active household can also provide more company and entertainment.

Puppies

Greenland dog puppies need socialization and training starting at 3-4 months of age. They need meals 3-4 times a day up to 6 months or when they reach 90% of their final weight, at which point they can have an adult dog diet of 2 meals a day.

Cute Greenland dog puppy, Greenland

Greenland dog puppies need socialization and training starting at 3-4 months of age.

©Kedardome/Shutterstock.com

With Children

Greenland dogs tend to do well with children, provided they have been socialized and trained from an early age. They have a low tendency of biting and mouthing and need the same training against such behavior as any other breed, and like other breeds will bite and mouth the most during puppyhood.

Similar Dogs

Greenland dogs are only genetically identical to Canadian Eskimo dogs and are considered the same breed, with the only difference being their country of habitat. Their closest genetic relatives are the Arctic dog breeds. Inuit dogs share a common female ancestor by way of maternal mitochondrial DNA sequence haplotype A31. Similar-looking but genetically distinct breeds are Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, and Malamute. The latter is related to Chukotka sled dogs from Siberia and are different from the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog. That’s because the Malamute and the Siberian Husky maintained their genetic lineage from Siberia and both contributed greatly to the Alaskan Husky.

Greenland dogs are a rare and genetically distinct husky dog. They are also a spitz-type breed, meaning they have pointed, triangular ears, strong jaw, long muzzle, feathered, long tails that curl over their backs, and thick, often-white fur. Spitz-type dogs look similar to wolves since they descended from wild dogs being bred with wolves. Dogs similar to the Greenland Dog are the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Husky, and the Alaskan Malamute.

  • Finnish Spitz: Another Spitz-type dog used to cold climates, it is known for barking a lot.
  • Samoyed: Bred in Siberia to herd reindeer, pull sleds, and hunt, they shed more than Greenland dogs and their fur is totally white.
  • German Shepherd: With a similar temperament and size of the Greenland Dog, they shed more than Greenland dogs.

Famous Examples

Greenland dogs are a decreasing icon of Greenland due to climate change and the inability of owners to care for them due to unemployment.

However, there is a famous Greenland Dog in history. Polaris was the lead dog on explorer Admiral Peary’s 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole. It was the sled dogs that accompanied Admiral Peary that helped him reach the North Pole, as he noted. Polaris went with him to the United States and sired puppies. It is said that the Chinook breed started by crossing a Greenland Dog named Ningo who was the granddaughter of Polaris with a Saint Bernard.

Greenland dog in Ilulissat

Polaris, a famous Greenland Dog, was the lead dog on explorer Admiral Peary’s 1909 expedition to reach the North Pole.

©Chris Christophersen/Shutterstock.com

Some popular names for Greenland dogs, for males, include

  • Melville
  • Foster
  • Frederick
  • Brewster
  • Harvard
  • Watkins
  • Franklin

For females, popular names include

  • Nina
  • Hope
  • Mama
  • Victoria
  • Lindsay
  • Elizabeth
  • Kim
  • Dove

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What's the right dog for you?

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If you have kids or existing dogs select:

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How much energy should they have?

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About average energy.
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About the Author

Heather Ross is a secondary English teacher and mother of 2 humans, 2 tuxedo cats, and a golden doodle. In between taking the kids to soccer practice and grading papers, she enjoys reading and writing about all the animals!

Greenland Dog FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Greenland Dogs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Greenland dogs are omnivores and their diets are mainly carnivorous, with some vegetables and starches.

What Kingdom do Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the order Carnivora.

What type of covering do Greenland Dogs have?

Greenland Dogs are covered in hair.

What genus do Greenland Dogs belong to?

Greenland Dogs belong to the genus Canis.

What is an interesting fact about Greenland Dogs?

The Greenland Dog is a strong and speedy breed of dog!

What is the scientific name for the Greenland Dog?

The scientific name for the Greenland Dog is Canis lupus.

What is the life expectancy of a Greenland dog?

10-14 years.

Are Greenland dogs good sledding dogs?

Yes, Greenland dogs are excellent as draught, hunting, racing, and sledding dogs due to their large, powerful bodies, strong legs, and fast running ability.

How much is a Greenland dog?

A Greenland dog puppy costs anywhere from $500-800, and a lot more for those with show dog potential.

Are Greenland dogs the same as huskies?

Greenland dogs are a rare and genetically distinct husky breed. “Husky” is used as a broad category type to refer to polar or arctic region “true” sled dogs rather than a specific breed. Greenland dogs are genetically distinct from Siberian huskies, Alaskan huskies, and Malamutes.

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Sources
  1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_Dog
  2. Cute Pomsky, Available here: https://pomeranian-husky.com/spitz-dog-breed/
  3. Doggie Designer, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/types-of-husky-dog-breeds/
  4. Ruff Champ, Available here: https://ruffchamp.com/dog-breeds/greenland-dog/
  5. Dog Learn, Available here: https://www.dog-learn.com/dog-breeds/greenland-dog/
  6. Primitive Dogs, Available here: https://primitivedogs.com/greenland-dog-breed-characteristics/?cn-reloaded=1
  7. Animal Corner, Available here: https://animalcorner.org/dog-breeds/greenland-dog/
  8. Dogell, Available here: https://dogell.com/en/dog-breed/greenland-dog
  9. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/greenland-dog/
  10. Soft Schools, Available here: https://www.softschools.com/facts/dogs/greenland_dog_facts/2437/
  11. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/greenland
  12. Dog Breeds List, Available here: https://www.dogbreedslist.info/all-dog-breeds/Greenland-Dog.html
  13. 101 Dog Breeds, Available here: https://www.101dogbreeds.com/greenland-dog.asp
  14. Dog Breed Info, Available here: https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greenlanddog.htm
  15. Animals Breeds, Available here: https://animalsbreeds.com/greenland-dog-facts-pictures-puppies-breeders-temperament/
  16. Dog Temperament, Available here: https://www.dogtemperament.com/greenland-dog-temperament/
  17. Doggy Dog World, Available here: https://doggydogworld.co.uk/best-greenland-dog-puppy-food/
  18. Bark Post, Available here: https://barkpost.com/good/climate-change-greenland-dogs/

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