Which Nordic dog breeds are there?
When it comes to four-legged friends from the cold North, everyone immediately thinks of a husky. In fact, most Nordic dog breeds are sled dogs, but there are also some guard and herding dogs among them. They all originate from cold regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia, or North America.
Nordic sled dogs
Nordic breeds that are considered sled dogs are often the most well-known. Beneath their plush fur, they hide enormous strength, endurance, and resilience. In all weather conditions, they pull the sleds with great passion. For this, they have the necessary willingness to run and a high level of performance readiness.
The Nordic sled dogs include:
Alaskan Malamute
Yakutian Laika
Samoyed
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Nordic hunting dogs
Less powerful, but equipped with an excellent sense of smell and orientation, are the Nordic hunting dogs. Unlike other hunting dogs, Nordic breeds search independently for game and then announce it loudly. Their strategy is to track down the game, drive it up a tree, and keep it in sight by barking until the hunter arrives.
The Nordic hunting dogs include:
Norrbottenspitz
Norwegian Lundehund
Finnish Spitz
Karelian Bear Dog
Jämthund
Norwegian Elkhound
Russian-European Laika
East Siberian Laika
West Siberian Laika
Nordic herding dogs
Always alert and ready to defend herd and home – as befits a true herding and guard dog, Nordic breeds also know how to perform their duties. They have a certain wariness of strangers, can handle being alone well, and act independently.
The Nordic herding dogs include:
Swedish Lapphund
Finnish Lapphund
Lapponian Reindeer Dog
Icelandic Sheepdog
Västgötaspets
Norwegian Buhund
Special characteristics of Nordic dog breeds
A look at the tasks of these northern four-legged friends quickly shows that they are truly special working animals. Due to the extreme weather conditions they must be very robust and resilient.
The coat as a winter jacket
Nordic dog breeds can easily withstand temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees. But why don't these animals freeze? Their thick coat with dense undercoat protects them not only from the icy cold, but also from moisture. This keeps them warm and dry, and they stay cozy despite low outside temperatures.
In addition to regular →coat care, →paw care is especially very important for Nordic dog breeds. The cold ground can irritate the paw pads and cause painful cracks. With our Care-Line, you can gently care for your furry friend's paws from tip to ear.
I CARE for you - clean and well-groomed with our care products for dogs
Sense of direction like a compass
Bringing the sled reliably from A to B in a snowstorm or even in the dark? For a trained sled or lead dog no problem. The same goes for Nordic herding and hunting dogs. They have an excellent sense of direction that allows them to find their way even on the darkest night.
Combination of strength and endurance
As a sled dog, the combination of strength and endurance is especially important. After all, the sleds are often fully loaded and must be pulled for several kilometers. A trained sled dog covers a good distance and can travel up to 40 kilometers a day.
