What Nordic Dog Breeds Are There?
When thinking of 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 like Siberia, Scandinavia, or North America.
Nordic Sled Dogs
Nordic breeds that belong to the sled dogs are often the most well-known. Beneath their fluffy fur lies an enormous strength, endurance, and robustness. In wind and weather, they pull sleds with great passion. For this, they bring the necessary willingness to run and a high level of performance readiness.
The Nordic sled dogs include:
- Alaskan Malamute
- →Siberian Husky
- Yakut Laika
- Samoyed
- Canadian Eskimo Dog
- →Greenland Dog
Nordic Hunting Dogs
Less powerful but equipped with an excellent sense of smell and orientation, Nordic hunting dogs are different from other hunting dogs. The Nordic dog breeds independently search for game and announce it loudly. Their strategy consists of tracking the game, driving it up a tree, and keeping it in sight while 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 vigilant and ready to defend the herd and farm - as befits a true herding and guard dog, the Nordic breeds also know how to perform their duties. They bring a certain distrust of strangers, can manage well on their own, and act independently.
- The Nordic herding dogs include:
- Swedish Lapphund
- Finnish Lapphund
- Lapland Reindeer Dog
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Västgötaspets
- Norwegian Buhund
Special Features of Nordic Dog Breeds
A look at the areas of responsibility of the four-legged friends from the North 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 Coat
Nordic dog breeds can easily withstand temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees. But why don’t the animals freeze? Their thick fur with dense undercoat protects the four-legged friends not only from the icy cold but also from moisture. This keeps them warm and dry, allowing them to feel cozy despite low outside temperatures.
In addition to regular →coat care, paw care →paw care is especially important for Nordic dog breeds. The cold ground can irritate the paw pads and lead to painful cracks. With our Care-Line, you can gently care for your furry friend from paw to ear tip.
I CARE for you - sauber und gepflegt mit unseren Pflegeprodukten für Hunde
Sense of Orientation Like a Compass
Bringing the sled reliably from A to B in snowstorms or even in the dark? For a trained sled or lead dog, no problem. The same goes for Nordic herding and hunting dogs. They possess an excellent sense of orientation that allows them to find their way even in the darkest night.
Combination of Strength and Endurance
As a sled dog, the combination of strength and endurance is crucial. After all, the sleds are often fully loaded and must be pulled for several kilometers. A trained sled dog can cover a good distance and can travel up to 40 kilometers a day.
