Saturday, July 30, 2011

Owning a Greenland Dog

By Jerry Welsh


The Greenland Dog, the breed that originated from the largest island in the world is also considered as one of the oldest dogs breeds. For more than 5,000 years, these sled pulling dogs that are also known as Eskimo Dog, Inuit, Husky and Esquimaux have existed in Greenland with the Sarqaq people.

For centuries, the Greenland Dogs have worked in the Arctic regions. A Greenland Dog is a powerful breed with an athletic body that is efficiently protected by the thick double coat against the frigid temperature. This dog breed's waterproof double coat and the well feathered tail protects the dog from the frigid temperature of the Arctic. A Greenland Dog sleeping outdoors would simply curl and use the bushy tail to cover the face. The thick double coat and the very bushy tail would adequately keep the dog warm.

Being outstanding sled pullers, Greenland Dogs were used in many Antarctic explorations. Roald Amundsen is one of the explorers that have used teams of Greenland Dogs in exploring the South Pole. The Greenland Dogs is an outstanding working breed but the popularity of these dogs started to wane at the turn of the last century. The rising popularity of Samoyed, Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies has caused the decline of the Greenland Dog population. The use of snowmobiles further caused the decline of Greenland Dog population.

Eskimos have depended on sled pulling dogs to carry them and their supplies from one location to another and Greenland Dogs are one of the breeds that have made life of these people much easier. Living with the Eskimos in the harsh environment of the Arctic, these dogs were developed into hardy breeds. Greenland Dogs are working breeds accustomed to staying with other dogs rather than with humans thus they are not expected to have the affectionate nature other dogs breeds have. Greenland Dogs are noted for their high level of intelligence thus after they have stopped from being sled pullers, these dogs have adapted well to the life of being home companions.

It is the nature of dogs to form a close bond with humans. The somewhat aloof personality of Greenland Dogs is discarded and what came to the fore was the typical temperament seen in companion dogs. Greenland Dogs that are no longer utilized to pull sleds have adapted well to being loyal and affectionate pets. Greenland Dogs are used to being independent and they are also noted to have a stubborn streak. This is not an ideal pet for a first time dog owner as it would need firm and authoritative handling, as well as consistent correction whenever the dog tries to dominate the members of the human family.




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