Breeds / Large
Greenland Dog puppies
Bold, energetic and mentally tough, friendly to people including strangers. The standard notes it does not attach itself closely to one person and is therefore no use as a guard dog.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Greenland
- Adult weight 27 to 47.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 60 to 105 lb
- Adult height 51 to 68 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming High
- Coat type Medium double
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Older children only
- Good with other dogs Careful introductions
Where these come from:
- purina.co.uk for adult weight and height and life expectancy
- royalkennelclub.com for energy, grooming and the temperament ratings and health notes
- fci.be for coat type and country of origin
About the Greenland Dog
The Greenland Dog is a polar spitz that has pulled sledges for Inuit hunters since ancient times, and the FCI still runs it with a working trial. Everything about it is built for hauling: heavy bone, a short strong back, a coarse double coat and a thick tail carried curled over the back. Males stand from 60 cm at the withers and the standard sets no upper limit. It is bold and friendly, with a strong hunting instinct.
This is a dog for people who spend their days outdoors. The Kennel Club puts it in the highest exercise band, more than two hours a day, and in practice it cannot be tired out. The coat needs frequent brushing and a shedding rake when it blows. Recall is the weak point, since a dog bred to run ahead of a driver in a team has little reason to turn round, so tall secure fencing and a long line are standard equipment.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Greenland Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire it out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, scored from x-rays under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme before a dog is bred from
- Loss of genetic diversity in a small population, which the Kennel Club asks breeders to weigh through inbreeding coefficients when choosing a mate
- Few other breed specific diseases are recorded, so routine weight, dental and parasite checks carry most of the load
From Greenland Dog breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/greenland-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Greenland Dog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Greenland Dog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 27 to 47.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other large breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.