The most original of the sled dog breeds represented by us is certainly the Greenland dog. Even today he still lives in large numbers in his homeland Greenland, the largest island on earth, which is almost completely covered by the inland ice and inhabited only on a narrow coastal strip. Both humans and animals are subjected to extreme demands under these hostile conditions. As always, dogs are the only reliable means of transport on Greenland in winter. There are no roads, snowmobiles could not assert themselves because of the rugged landscape, the sea is frozen meters thick and the stormy weather often brings air traffic to a standstill. So it happens that the sleigh teams are still vital for the Greenlanders today. The dogs are regarded as pure workhorses, which must show a maximum of work performance, traction, endurance and resistance. These characteristics have also made the Greenland dog an ideal helper on numerous polar expeditions. Whether it was Peary or Cook who first reached the pole, it is certain that both could only complete their company with "their" Greenlanders, people and dogs. Amundsen took 111 Greenland dogs with her to the Antarctic and won the race to the South Pole not least thanks to her support.
Although the Greenland dog lives in his homeland as a true natural breed, which was primarily formed by the merciless nature, the Greenlanders also shaped their dogs according to their needs and ideas. Jean Malaurie, for example, reports on the principles of breeding selection: "Courage and boldness, which are very precious in bear hunting, come from the mother and she must be chosen accordingly; speed and strength come from the father". It goes without saying that such animals cannot easily be transplanted into our civilised world. Even in his "European homeland" Scandinavia and in Switzerland, where the Greenland dog has existed since the construction of the Jungfrau Railway, the number of Greenland dogs has remained very limited. In our country, the Greenland dog is the rarest sled dog breed, and its keeping has been reserved for lovers of the breed.
The Greenland dog is a persistent and hard worker. His character is shaped by this will to work and the strictly ordered living together in the herd. If he lacks the requirements of the sled work - the physical as well as the necessary discipline - his energies explode and he is difficult to keep. Every Greenlander should therefore work - alone in front of the pulka or in a team. For example, the more than forty Greenland dogs of the Oslomarka Trekkhundklub provide rescue services on the extensive trails around Oslo.
From the appearance, the Greenland dog is an extremely strong dog, built for persevering hard work as a sled dog. He shows a heavy physique, a broad and deep chest and heavy limbs with powerful muscling. His head should be broad and slightly arched, with a strong, wedge-shaped snout and relatively small ears. The tail is bushy and rather short, set on high and strongly curled. The coat consists of a double coat with thick undercoat and straight long hair. The minimum height for males is 60 cm, for bitches 55 cm shoulder height. All colour variations are permitted.
Source: DSLT/Luzi Bernhard
