Nordic dog breeds is a FCI categorization that includes all dogs from northern Europe, northern Asia and North America.
Many have names in the respective national language – which sounds like a winning word for Scrabble.
Or would you have known which dog is behind the number 11 or the number 18?
1. Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a beautiful nordic sled dog.
He roamed with the Inuit year-round and has maintained robust health to this day.
He is characterized by an almost overzealousness will to please against his pack leader.
In general, the pack is the most important thing for him, he is outspoken socially acceptable with a high tolerance level.
2. Samoyed
Attention, good mood! The Samoyed is for his signature grin famous that is absolutely contagious.
He is also fittingly a very friendly and lively family dogwhose hunting instinct is only weak.
Its name points to the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia, but a Briton founded the breeding of the magnificent four-legged friends at the end of the 19th century.
3. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is the national dog of Alaska and is considered the oldest polar dog breed, from which many Nordic dog breeds descend.
As a sled dog, he pulled heavy loads and was therefore known as a strong, muscular dog bred.
But despite this massive appearance, he is very playful and can seem almost childish. He sometimes underestimates his own strength and weight.
4. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is great for a sled dog daintily and was therefore also laughed at in the first years of breeding.
For racing, however, that is its greatest advantage, because it also means a lot more maneuverable and lighter footed.
Despite this, it is still suitable as a working sled dog and can pull up to nine times its own weight.
5. Greenland Dog
The Greenland dog was not only a sled dog, but also hunted seals and polar bears.
Breeding the all-rounder was therefore always subject to the clear goal of him powerful, robust and persevering to keep.
Therefore, special care was taken not to cross any weakening breeds.
Likewise, wolves were not crossed in to keep them obedient. However, this myth persists.
6. Yakutian Laika
A Yakutian Laika closely resembles an adorable polar bear thanks to its round ears, full moon face, and plush fur.
But that’s where the similarity ends, because he is a focused hound with enormous endurance.
It can also be employed in a variety of ways beyond the Arctic and is suitable for many demanding training courses.
But he is not a family dog, but needs a clear task and one consistent leadership.
7. Jämthund
The Jämthund is a Nordic hunting dog that owes its name to the Swedish Jämtland.
There he was bred from the dogs that gave birth to the Norwegian Elkhound.
He hunted the really big animals: moose, bear, lynx and wolves. Accordingly independent and self-assured he performs.
Despite his strong, still very original hunting instinct, he can even get used to cats in the home.
8. Norwegian Elkhound (grey) / Gråhund
The Norwegian Elkhound comes in black and gray variants.
But there is far more to it than just the coat color: the Gråhund, as it was originally called, is a working dog and also asks for a task.
Its fur is ideally adapted to Nordic hunting and defies any weather. It goes from dark gray to elegant silver.
Interesting:
It is probably the oldest of the Scandinavian dog breeds. Excavations trace its path back to the Stone Age!
9. Norwegian Elkhound (black)
The second variant is the Norwegian Elkhound (black).
And indeed, his fur is jet black, which is occasionally provided with white speckles.
He is more human-focused than his gray brother and has one weaker hunting instinct.
10. Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian Bear Dog lives in the Finnish-Russian border region and is closely related to the Laikas.
His race has existed for a very long time. But she is like that rarelythat it was not recognized as a separate breed until the middle of the last century.
It is now gaining increasing popularity among hunters.
However, that’s why he belongs in experienced hands with his hunting instinct and his stubborn to be able to deal with.
11. Suomenpystykorva
The German translation of Suomenpystykorva is «Finnish Spitz».
Also known as the Karelo-Finnish Laika. The breeders argued for a long time about whether they were the same breed, until an agreement was reached in 2006.
He is not an apartment dog, because the naturally barks a lot. This is how he kept in touch with his hunter while hunting.
If he gets enough exercise, he is a very lovable sports friend.
12. Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund has had a wild history. For a long time, this breed was only available in Måstad, Norway – for tax reasons.
Because only there was a reduction in the dog tax, which actually had the purpose of reducing the number of stray dogs.
It owes its name to its prey: it specializes in hunting puffins, also called lunde.
13. Norrbottenspitz
The Norbottenspitz hunted squirrels in Sweden.
Accordingly, he is still enthusiastic about everything that is small and agile. It is therefore not available for quiet garden afternoons!
The breed is so uncommon that it was thought to be extinct in the 1940s.
Due to the commitment of some breeders, there are now some specimens that are used as guard dogs.
14. East Siberian Laika
The East Siberian Laika comes from the area of the taiga and Siberia.
He is the largest of the Laika breeds and also the calmest. Nevertheless, he needs a lot of speech and employment and want to move a lot.
He tends to meet strangers suspicious and tends to want to protect his family.
15. Russian-European Laika
The Russian-European Laika is the smallest Laika and at best reaches 60 cm.
He is a deliberate cross between different Laikas and probably one or the other Karelian Bear Dog.
From this he also has the typical black and white fur.
16. West Siberian Laika
The West Siberian Laika went hunting with big game, but also gets carried away by waterfowl and squirrels.
He reluctantly strays from his humans and forms a strong bond with them.
With appropriate socialization, he can also tolerate other animals living in the household well.
17. Chukotskaya Laika
The Chukotskaya Laika or Chukti Laika is also among the ancestors of the Siberian Husky.
Its name means «Laika who pulls a sled» and leaves no doubt as to what it was originally used for.
She need a clear hierarchy in a pack, so that there are no conflicts over food and other resources.
18. Vastgotaspets
The Västgötaspets looks like a Husky crossed with a Welsh Corgi.
However, it is unclear whether there is a relationship and who was whose ancestor.
The cute dogs may be small, but assertive. They work as herding dogs or rat hunters.
19. Swedish Lapphund
The Swedish Lapphund is pronounced communicative.
He likes to bark his opinions, especially at strangers, but this can be stopped with good training.
But «dogs that bark don’t bite» also applies to him: He’s just little aggressive.
20. Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund is a close relative of the Swedish Lapphund.
Despite the long, dense fur, it also tolerates higher temperatures well. Nevertheless, owners should make sure that it does not overheat.
Sporty and intelligent he is up for fun and can be used in a variety of ways as a working and leisure dog.
21. Norwegian Buhund
No, a Norwegian Buhund does not hunt ghosts. The word «bu» is Norwegian and means «hut».
He is a court all-rounder with waking instinct and hunting instinctwho seeks closeness to his people.
Unfortunately, he barks a lot and is therefore less suitable for city apartments.
22. Lapland Reindeer Dog
The Lapland Reindeer Dog is also called Finnish Lapland Shepherd Dog or Lapinporokoira.
He still works today as a herding dog for reindeer herds in the Scandinavian north, as he has done for the Sami and Lapps for centuries.
23. Icelandic Dog
The Icelandic dog’s Icelandic name is Íslenskur fjárhundur.
It came to Iceland with the Vikings over 1000 years ago and is the only native dog breed there.
Since there are hardly any dangerous wild animals on the island, any aggression bred out of the line.