The Greenland Dog is a robust and sturdy, heavy-built dog with wolfish looks that originated in Greenland thousands of years back. This dog is a very rare breed of huskies that are known for their speed and had primarily been used for drawing sleds and hunting. They have a typically broad, wedge-shaped head with slightly tilted eyes and small, triangular ears. The legs are muscular, strong, and covered with short hair, as opposed to the rest of the body, with the tail often rolling across the back. Today, this breed exists in Greenland much in the same condition as it had while it originated there, and are still brought up as working.
Other Names/Nick Names | Kalaallit Qimmiat (Qimmeq), Grønlandshund, Grünlandshund, Esquimaux Dog, Canis Lupus Familiaris Borealis, Gr |
Coat | Double, dense, average |
Colors | Gray (Black, White) |
Type | Sled Dog, Working Dog, Hunting Dog, Husky |
Group (of Breed) | Purebred |
Type of Breed | Northern |
Uses | Hiking, Hunting, Sled driving, Wagon pulling, Racing |
Lifespan | 11 to 15 years |
Weight | 66-71 pounds (both male and female) |
Height (size) | Large; Males: 23-27 inches; Females: 20-24 inches |
Personality Traits | Alert, friendly, energetic, independent, loyal, intelligent |
Litter Size | 4-6 puppies |
Good with Children | Yes |
Good with Pets | Yes |
Good for New/First-time Owners | No |
Shedding | Minimal |
Intelligence | High (80% approx.) |
Barking | Average |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Country of Origin | Greenland |
Availability | Rare |
Competitive Registration/ Qualification Information | ACA, ACR, APRI, DRA, FCI, SPK UKC Dogs (Breed Club) Breed Standard |
The ancestry and development of these canids date back to 12,000 years ago when the ancient dogs came to Siberian accompanying primitive tribes, eventually developing into today’s Eskimo people of the region. These early inhabitants might have implemented the local wolves to act as the fathers in the process of breeding.
As one of the world’s oldest breeds, the Greenland Dog had been used by the Inuits since time immemorial. The native breed began as a dog of transportation, especially for drawing sled, as well as for hunting local animals like polar bears and seals, though never as a guard dog. The breeding herds were selected based on their endurance capacity, vigor, and firmness so as to procreate healthy and good looking offspring.
With the advent of the 1900s, there was a growing popularity of the other breeds like the Siberian Huskies, the Samoyeds, and the Alaskan Malamutes. However, many explorers continued to stick to using Greenland dogs, with especially the Arctic explorers and surveyors having a special favor for this breed because of their qualities.
Roald Amundsen recorded the earliest known data. He also used these canids as working dogs during his expedition to the South Pole, and it was this very breed that has been credited in the latter years for supporting him over Scott in conquering the Antarctica.
It was around 1750 that this dog was brought for the first time in the UK. Gradually becoming popular for its versatile working skills, they participated at the Darlington dog show in 1875.
In 1880, the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club at its foundation, and more than after a century by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1996.
These dogs are one-man dogs, immensely dedicated to a particular owner. However, those animals that work in a group do not have the opportunity to make that special bonding with their masters. The Greenland dogs do not have any guarding or protective instincts and are good with people. They are equally good with kids, other pets (including other dogs), and strangers.
Till date, these primitive dogs bear a close similarity in structure and temperament to the wolves also having a high alpha pack instinct. The Greenland dogs are not pets that would sit in a corner all day, enjoying sleep. They are self-willing and independent-natured, loving to roam and run around, playing quite boisterously. Hence, they are not suitable for apartments.
Note: There is something to know before you start training these large dogs. Initially, in Greenland, these dogs are set free to roam around and grow up, until they are almost adults. As they grow up, they are chained and then trained to learn their respective types of work. However, if you decide to get one of these, training should begin at an early stage like most of the other domesticated dog breeds.
Regular good quality dry dog diet is good for them. Feed them with 2½ to 3 cups of kibbles on a daily basis. Divide into equal halves – a brunch/lunch and a supper.
We were in Greenland in 1987 for 3 months. In sismuit and Nuuk. The week before we arrived in Sisimuit a 5 year old boy was mauled to death by these dogs. The town’s sled dogs were all kept in a valley staked up in pairs. There probably were a hundred or so. They were fed once per week with raw meat (seal usually) being thrown to them as the owners knew not to come so close while They ravished their food. Only (only the lead dog) was tied up outside the owners houses. They were kept mostly wild as they were believed to retain the instinct for survival if on a hunting expedition they were met with inclement weather which is often the case. One sunny 3 am in the dead of night when the sun was so high in the sky it was above mountains There were men walking in orange overalls shooting older puppies who were found loose in the streets and pocketing the tails (for bounty tally). This was in a town with 5,000 people. Is this happening now? I do NOT know. But 12,00 years of breeding for does not make these “kid friendly”. Avoid this breed.