Greenland dogs: breed characteristics and content

Northern sled dogs bear some resemblance to huskies. The Greenlandshund is a rare and rather ancient breed. According to dog breeders, blood flows in the veins of this animal, which is mixed with wolf blood.

The Greenland sled dog is a representative of a sled dog, its ancestor is a wild wolf, which is crossed with an Eskimo dog. This theory can be confirmed by observing the behavior of an animal that resembles a member of a wolf pack. The exact theory of the origin of Greenlandshund has not been established, however, it is known that they were bred to create a breed capable of transporting sledges and hunting bears.

The Greenlandshund is a large and beautiful animal with a powerful body build and well-developed muscles. Its height at the withers is 0.62 meters, body weight is 33 kilograms. This pet is a real long-liver, its life expectancy is about 15 years.

The external characteristics of the Greenland sled dog according to the standard.

• The body is short, its height to length is proportional, like 10: 1.
• The head is characterized by a wide and convex skull, the expression of the foot is sharp. The shape of the muzzle is wedge-shaped, on the nose there is a large lobe with an ash or brown color. In winter, the lobe becomes colorless.
• The lips of the animal are thin, tight-fitting, and have a light color.
• The pet's jaws are well developed, the bite is scissor-shaped.
• The set of the eyes is slightly oblique, they are usually dark in color. There are cases when the iris is painted in a color identical to the color of the dog's fur.The eyes are clear, shining, they have a cheerful and friendly expression.
• The auricles are of medium size, erect and slightly rounded at the tip.
• The neck is short with well developed muscles.
• The body of the pet is characterized by compactness and easy slope, straight back, wide loin, deep chest.
• The tail has a wide base, it is rolled over the back and is abundantly covered with hair.
• Legs are straight, muscular. The hips are strong and the wrists are flexible. Rounded feet have strong pads.
• Greenlandshund's movements are fast and harmonious.
• The animal's coat looks like a thick fur coat, it has a dense structure and a well-developed undercoat. The coat is thicker on the body.
• The coat color of the Greenland sled dog can be different. An albino animal is considered unacceptable.

The disadvantages of Greenlandshund include the difficulty of keeping in an apartment, as well as the need for constant walking and space.

The Greenland Sled Dog is an independent animal that loves freedom. The pet enjoys working in a group. The main features of the northern character of a pet are loyalty, stamina, reliability, devotion. The Greenland dog has a well-developed hunter instinct, so the inhabitants of the northern countries use this dog when hunting. A good guard from a representative of this breed will not come out.

Greenlandshund reacts affably to strangers, he has no desire to defend his territory. The working abilities of this dog are considered to be pronounced. It is not recommended to start this animal as a "sofa" pet. A Greenlander always wants to be useful to people, so it is difficult to teach him to lie on the rug throughout the day. The owner is regularly physically load your pet.

Balance prevails in the disposition of northern puppies; this contact and non-aggressive animal can run for a long time and play active games. The dog has a tendency to wander, as it has wild roots. For this reason, the animal should not be deprived of attention, it should be trained and developed... Since this pet prefers to dominate in adulthood, the owner needs to show his superiority.

Representatives of this breed prefer to communicate with sounds, so they can loudly grumble, bark or whine, showing their emotions.

The northern dog is not suitable as a house pet. The representative of this breed is a working animal that cannot be idle, a sled dog with a lot of energy that must be constantly directed somewhere. She feels great in a team with her relatives, moving in order to transport cargo over a long distance.

It is worth starting a Greenlandshund for people who live in a private country house. A pet needs a lot of space so that it can run around to its fullest. The dog can live outdoors in freezing temperatures.

The calorie content of the diet of a northern pet is influenced by the amount of physical activity assigned to it, as well as the habitat. In winter, the dog should be fed more nutritious foods than in the warmer months. An adult should eat twice a day, and a puppy should eat 3–6, depending on age. Do not give greenlandshund a large portion, it should be fed often, but little by little.

The basis of the animal's diet should be protein. If a dog eats a lot of carbohydrates, then this negatively affects his health.The Greenland dog needs to be fed a lot of meat and offal. Fatty foods can be fed to representatives of this breed. It is also worth introducing vitamins and minerals into the pet's diet.

Great benefits to the body of a northern dog are eating chicken necks, legs, cartilage, as they contain a large amount of zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorus. Several times a week, the animal can be treated to sea fish.

A slicker will help to take care of the Greenland dog, with which you can comb out the wool that fell out during the autumn or spring molt. The rest of the time, the animal needs simple care.

• Combing once every 7 days will prevent mats from forming.
• Infrequent bathing, which is required only if the dog is heavily dirty. If the animal is washed frequently, it can damage the fatty layer of the skin, which protects the Greenlandshund's body from hypothermia.

Greenlandic dogs often suffer from hip dysplasia. When the puppy grows up, it should be protected from going down stairs, running long distances, jumping or any other traumatic activities. Also, often in representatives of this breed, gastric volvulus is manifested. To prevent ailment, the dog should be fed exclusively after physical exertion.

The eyes of the pet require regular examination, if a cloudy crystal was noticed, then the pet should be taken to the veterinarian. Since the Greenlander tolerates the cold normally, he does not often get colds.

Like any dog, the Greenlandshund should be raised and trained from an early age. Puppies are easier to train to obey than adult representatives.

When training a Greenland dog, you should follow these rules.

• Gain credibility. If the dog does not see the leader in the owner, then it will not follow his commands.
• Build rapport.
• Eliminate humiliation and physical punishment. When raising a northern dog, it is worth stocking up on patience and treats to reward its achievements.

The ideal option for training representatives of this breed would be the presence of an older relative in the house, after which the puppy will repeat. It is better for a beginner to send a dog for training to a professional, since raising a dog requires skills and willpower.

Greenlandic dog is classified as an active and mobile animal, it is popular with hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, as well as people who practice dog sledding. This animal loves the team. You cannot shout at the Greenlandshund or beat him. If you have patience, then from a northern dog puppy you can grow an excellent hunter and companion.

All about the Greenland sled dog, see the video presented.