Dog breeds from Northern Europe, North America and northern Asia are also known as Nordic dog breeds. These are usually larger dogs.
Many of them belong to the Spitz dog breeds. What is noticeable is a curled tail, a dense top coat and a double undercoat that protects against low temperatures.
The Nordic dogs are divided into three different categories according to their original area of operation:
- Nordic sled dogs
- Nordic hunting dogs
- Nordic guard and herding dogs
Below you will learn about all 23 Nordic dog breeds, their special features and their typical behavior.
>> Our top recommendations
#1 Alaskan Malamute
Nordic sled dog
The Alaskan Malamute is also known by the nickname “Mally”. He comes from the USA and is known for his endurance as a sled and hunting dog. [1]
The Nordic dog breed is also very suitable as a large family dog. However, you should ensure that your four-legged friend gets used to children or other pets early on.
The nature of the Malamute is devoted and playful. The four-legged friend cannot be kept as a guard dog because he is far too friendly for that. He also greets strangers in a friendly manner.
The extroverted dog is also well suited to sled dog racing. Depending on training, a single Malamute can pull between 500 and 1500 kg on its own.
This beautiful dog breed is only recommended to a limited extent for first-time owners. Malamutes are quite stubborn and can therefore only be trained moderately well.
Fun fact: The Alaskan Malamute only barks in rare cases, but he prefers to howl in chorus with his peers.
#2 Finnish Lapphund
Nordic guard and herding dog
The Finnish Lapphund is a sheepdog bred for reindeer. Today the four-legged friend is primarily used as a family dog. He barks a lot and has a strong hunting instinct.
The four-legged friend is very popular in Finland. These Nordic dog breeds are relatively rare internationally. Active families really enjoy this eager four-legged friend. [2]
The Lapphund is an ideal jogging partner. He loves being outside and can be kept outside all the time, even in the dead of winter. Its fur is windproof and waterproof.
On average, the four-legged friend reaches an age of 13 years, but in rare cases the large dog can live up to 17 years. The sociable animal cannot tolerate loneliness.
The Lapphund's temperament is curious and trusting. He avoids dangerous situations and is more the type to escape rather than stand in the way of danger.
Fun fact: Finnish Lapphunds can tend to bark constantly in the wrong environment. At the slightest hint of potential danger, the dogs reliably respond.
#3 Finnish Spitz
Nordic hunting dog
The Finnish Spitz is an intelligent, good-natured four-legged friend. The four-legged friend was bred as a hunting dog or pointer. The rare breed is one of the most unpopular. [3]
The Nordic dog has a fox-like appearance and an independent, active nature. He is suitable as a family dog and also gets along well with children.
The females are usually significantly smaller than the males. Overall, they are protective of the family. If you have smaller pets, you shouldn't keep them.
When raising them, you should pay attention to positive feedback, because furry friends react very sensitively to criticism. The four-legged friends are also known by the name “Finkie”.
They love water, enjoy swimming and are excellent diggers. As puppies, dogs are usually born with black fur, which then turns red.
Fun fact: The Finnish Spitz can bark more often and quickly than any other dog. The dogs are record holders and can bark up to 160 times per minute. That's almost 3 times per second!
#4 Gråhund
Nordic hunting dog
The Gråhund comes from Norway. It was bred as a hunting dog and can be used in a variety of ways. It is also suitable as a shepherd, guard and family dog. [4]
The wolf-like dog was sometimes kept on ships by Vikings. The Nordic dog breed needs consistent training and strict leadership.
Therefore, the four-legged friends are not suitable for first-time owners. Overall, they are difficult to train. Their DNA still carries genes from wolf hybrids.
The four-legged friends need a lot of exercise and have a strong hunting instinct. You have a resilient, assertive nature. Without leadership, they set the tone.
On average, the animals live to be 14-16 years old. Since the four-legged friends are very voracious, they tend to be overweight. According to excavations, the breed has been around since 5000 BC
Fun fact: When they change their fur twice a year, the animals lose so much fur that you no longer know where to throw all the bags full of hair.
#5 Greenland Dog
Nordic sled dog
The Greenland Dog is a courageous, energetic dog breed. The four-legged friends shed a moderate amount, have a weak hunting instinct and need a lot of exercise. [5]
The four-legged friends belong to the Nordic dog breeds. They were bred as working and sled dogs. Genetically they are identical to the Canadian Eskimo Dog.
With the exception of police or assistance dogs, it is forbidden to import other dog breeds in Greenland. This is intended to keep the breed free from crossbreeding.
The Greenland Dog has thick, double-layered fur. It is therefore well prepared for the cold. The four-legged friend is difficult to train and likes to bark a lot and loudly.
This dog is not for beginners. Only when the owners manage to gain respect can this dog become a loyal and protective companion.
Fun fact: Greenland dogs have what is known as an alpha instinct. They therefore only obey a single caregiver. The dogs do not respond at all to commands from others.
#6 Icelandic Dog
Nordic guard and herding dog
The Icelandic Dog is the only native dog breed from Iceland. Since only around 100 puppies are born each year, there are only 5,000 of this breed worldwide. [6]
The long-haired dog has a happy, energetic nature. He is very alert and playful with a strong hunting instinct. As a German Shepherd, he needs a lot of exercise.
Icelandic dogs are easy to train. They get along well with children and are generally trusting. Although they often bark at strangers, they are still friendly.
These animals are not aggressive. They like to follow their owners everywhere. They prefer to spend their time outside. This Nordic dog is very active and loves to run.
At home, however, the four-legged friends are calm. They are ideal working and family dogs. The rare animals belong to one of 56 German Shepherd breeds worldwide.
Fun fact: These dogs look particularly often at the sky. This has to do with their past as sheepdogs. In order to protect the sheep from birds of prey, the four-legged friends always had to search the sky.
#7 Yakut Laika
Nordic sled dog
The Yakut Laika comes from Russia. However, the Nordic dog breed is now most commonly found in Texas. The animal was bred for work. [7]
The four-legged friend was used as a shepherd, hunting and sled dog. He has particularly good ears and eyes as well as an excellent sense of smell. This makes them very popular.
The four-legged friends also get along well with children. Overall, they are easy to care for and do well in the cold. The breed feels most comfortable surrounded by other dogs.
In addition, the males are significantly larger and stronger than the females. These, on the other hand, tend to be stubborn more often and are therefore more difficult to train.
The name “Laika” comes from the Russian word “layat” am, which means “barking”. These four-legged friends are therefore relatively barking animals.
Fun fact: Until the 18th century, these dogs were often confused with white arctic foxes. Only later did it turn out that they were relatively shy dogs.
#8 Jämthund
Nordic hunting dog
The Jämthund comes from Sweden and is known in English as the “Swedish Elkhound”. According to its DNA, the four-legged friend has wolf genes in it. [8]
It is believed that the Nordic dog breed was crossed with a wolf hundreds of years ago. Even today, the four-legged friend shows strong similarities to the wolf.
This four-legged friend is very active and independent in nature. He behaves calmly and trustingly towards the family, but is often dominant towards strange dogs.
This active dog is not particularly suitable for apartments. He gets bored easily and needs a lot of exercise. Without sufficient exercise, the four-legged friend is often hyperactive.
The four-legged friend also has a very strong hunting instinct and sheds a moderate amount. He is quiet and barks very rarely.
Fun fact: If the Jämthund doesn't get enough exercise, it mutates into a gnawing bundle of energy.
#9 Canadian Eskimo Dog
Nordic sled dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a working, sled and hunting dog. In the past, the four-legged friend even had to hunt in order to be able to feed himself. [9]
The dog breed is one of the oldest and is more than 4,000 years old. It has been threatened with extinction for a long time. 10 years ago there were only 300 copies left worldwide.
In the 1950s, around 20,000 Eskimo dogs were killed by the mountain police in a controversial operation. Since then, the numbers of this dog breed have not recovered.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is genetically identical to the Greenland Dog. Both four-legged friends are very trainable and don't bark much. They prefer the cold.
Nordic dogs can sleep outside even in winter. The four-legged friends don't cope well with heat. Officially there are 7 recognized names for this dog breed.
Fun fact: Canadian Eskimo Dogs are said to be so durable that legend has it they can run further than a snowmobile can go with a full tank of gas.
#10 Karelian Bear Dog
Nordic hunting dog
The Karelian Bear Dog is a black and white dog with an independent, courageous nature. He needs a lot of exercise, has a strong hunting instinct and is moderately trainable.
The Nordic dog breed comes from Finland. It is a popular hunting dog for bears, elk, wolves and wild boars. In Finland it is considered very valuable. [10]
The persistent four-legged friend has a very good sense of smell and orientation. He often suffers from territoriality. He tends to be rude to dogs of the same sex.
However, the four-legged friend is loyal and friendly towards strangers. This dog is well suited as a guard dog. As a family dog, he should only be in experienced hands.
The Karelian Bear Dog is not a couch potato. The four-legged friend needs a lot of exercise and should therefore be used extensively…