Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Greenland Dog is one of the oldest Arctic breeds, formed in the harsh conditions of Greenland and the Arctic, where it was used by the Eskimo (Inuit) people for transporting goods, hunting marine animals, and surviving extreme cold. The breed is closely related to ancient northern spitz-type dogs and is considered to have remained almost unchanged for thousands of years. These dogs helped people travel across the ice, enduring long journeys while maintaining working ability in strong winds, low temperatures, and the absence of shelter. In the 19th–20th centuries, the breed became known in Europe thanks to polar expeditions, where Greenland Dogs demonstrated remarkable endurance and pulling strength. Today, the breed is used as a traditional sled dog, preserving its original type and character.
General Appearance
The Greenland Dog is a large, powerful, strongly built sled breed with a distinctly northern type. The body is strong and muscular, adapted to long-term work in the Arctic climate. The format is slightly elongated, with a straight and stable topline. The chest is deep and broad, providing large lung capacity for prolonged sledding work. The head is massive but proportional, wedge-shaped, with a clearly defined stop. The ears are erect, small, and densely covered with hair. The limbs are straight, strong, with heavy bone and pronounced angulation, providing stability on ice and snow. The tail is bushy, curled in a ring or semi-ring, and carried on the back. The overall appearance emphasizes strength, endurance, stability, and the working nature of the breed.
Important Proportions
The Greenland Dog has a strong, slightly elongated format in which the body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers while maintaining harmony and functionality. The chest depth is approximately half the dog’s height, allowing it to endure long distances and maintain respiratory efficiency. The skull is broad and massive but proportional to the body length. The muzzle is powerful, slightly tapering toward the nose. The neck is strong, of medium length, smoothly blending into the shoulders. The limbs are straight, with well-developed bone and joints, providing strong propulsion and stability on uneven surfaces. The croup is broad and slightly sloping. All proportions serve to maintain endurance and working efficiency of a sled dog.
Behavior and Character
The Greenland Dog is independent, bold, and active, shaped by centuries of work in the harsh Arctic environment. It has high energy levels, a strong instinct for movement, and a pronounced desire for teamwork. This breed is extremely hardy, stress-resistant, and capable of working for many hours in a sled without slowing down. With people, the Greenland Dog is loyal yet retains its independence and natural caution. Aggression toward humans is not typical, but hierarchical competition within a group may occur. To fully develop its potential, the breed requires active work, clear rules, and substantial physical exercise.
Head
The head of the Greenland Dog is powerful and wedge-shaped, with a broad skull and well-developed cheekbones. The lines are clean and dry, emphasizing the working type. The skull is slightly rounded, the stop pronounced but not sharp. The muzzle is strong, gradually tapering toward the nose while remaining sufficiently broad. The lips are tight and close-fitting, without looseness. The nose is large and well pigmented; slight winter depigmentation (“snow nose”) is permitted. The jaws are strong, with a scissor bite. The skin is dense, without folds. The overall expression of the head reflects strength, confidence, and the stable character of a northern working dog.
Facial Region
The facial region of the Greenland Dog is powerful, slightly elongated, with a straight nasal bridge and strong, broad jaws. The muzzle tapers gradually toward the nose yet remains voluminous and strong, reflecting the breed’s working purpose. The lips are tight, dry, and close-fitting, without flews. The nose is large, with well-opened nostrils; seasonal lightening is allowed. The chin is defined but not protruding. The cheeks are firm and moderately developed, emphasizing the strength of the head. The facial region should combine dryness, power, and functionality, preserving an expression of confidence and readiness for sled work. Excessive narrowness or coarseness is undesirable.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, oval, and slightly slanted, giving an expression of attentiveness and alertness. The eyes are moderately deep-set and well protected—important for working in wind, snow, and ice. Color ranges from dark brown to amber, harmonizing with the coat. Light-colored eyes are undesirable as they create a harsh or incorrect expression. Eyelids are tight-fitting, fully pigmented, and not prone to entropion or ectropion. The gaze is calm, confident, and lively, reflecting the breed’s independence. The eyes must retain clarity, health, and the natural working expression of a northern dog.
Ears
The ears of the Greenland Dog are erect, triangular, small, dense, and widely set at the base. A characteristic feature is the thick hair on and inside the ears, which protects them from cold and wind. The ears must be mobile and expressive. The tips are slightly rounded. Soft, overly large, floppy, or outward-turned ears are faults. Correct ear placement emphasizes alertness, strength, and northern character. The ears must retain shape even in strong wind, remaining dry, firm, and functional.
Neck
The neck is strong, muscular, of medium length, slightly arched, and smoothly transitioning into the withers. It must be strong enough to withstand sledding strain and help control the movement of the team. The skin is tight and close-fitting, without folds. The width at the base of the neck emphasizes the strength of the shoulder assembly and body stability. The neck combines power and dryness; it must not be short or excessively long. Incorrect proportions reduce movement efficiency and working ability. The correct neck shape ensures balance and stability during prolonged pulling work.
Body
The body of the Greenland Dog is strong, powerful, slightly elongated, with pronounced musculature and a stable topline. The withers are well defined, smoothly transitioning into a straight back. The loin is short, broad, and strong, supporting stability during sled work. The croup is broad and slightly sloping, ensuring effective propulsion from the hind limbs. The ribcage is deep and voluminous, with moderately sprung ribs, allowing sufficient breathing capacity during extended exertion. The belly is moderately tucked up. The body must convey strength, stability, and readiness for long work in harsh conditions.
Tail
The tail of the Greenland Dog is bushy, high-set, typically curled in a full ring or semi-ring and carried over the back. It must be thick at the base and densely coated, providing protection in cold weather and emphasizing the northern silhouette. In motion, the tail remains high but should not be too stiff or overly thick. A low-set, straight, or insufficiently bushy tail is a fault. The correct tail shape emphasizes breed type and aids in balance when moving on ice and snow.
Front Limbs
The front limbs are strong, straight, with heavy bone and well-developed muscles. The shoulder blades are long, sloping, and close-fitting, providing cushioning and long stride. The upper arm forms the correct angle, increasing movement power. The elbows point backward, not turning in or out. The forearms are strong, straight, and stable on uneven terrain. Pasterns are strong and slightly sloping. The feet are compact, round, with thick pads and dense hair between the toes for protection from cold. Front limbs must provide stability and pulling power in sled work.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs are powerful and muscular, with well-defined angulation providing strong propulsion. Thighs are broad, long, and muscular. The lower thighs are strong and support correct proportions. The hock joints are strong, low-set, ensuring stability on ice and deep snow. The metatarsi are short and vertical. The feet are compact, dense, and stable. Hind limbs must move parallel, providing traction, strength, and endurance. Weak angulation or insufficient musculature is considered a serious fault.
Gait and Movement
Movement of the Greenland Dog is powerful, steady, and enduring, with good amplitude and stability. At a trot, the stride is long and free, with parallel limb movement. When working in a sled, the dog shows a steady, economic rhythm that can be maintained for hours. The topline remains stable, without bouncing or sagging. Movement must reflect functional qualities—pulling strength, stability, and the ability to work in severe conditions. Any faults such as toeing-in, toeing-out, weak propulsion, or restricted joint mobility are considered serious defects.
Coat
The coat of the Greenland Dog is thick, dense, double-layered, ideal for extreme cold. The outer coat is straight, coarse, and of moderate length, forming a protective barrier against wind, ice, and moisture. The undercoat is extremely dense, soft, and thick, retaining heat even in severe frost. The coat covers the entire body evenly, including ears, tail, and feet, providing natural insulation. The neck and shoulders may have a thicker ruff. Clipping or altering the coat is not allowed, as it destroys natural protective qualities. Coat that is too soft, short, or sparse is a fault.
Permissible Colors
The Greenland Dog is allowed in a wide variety of colors reflecting the natural diversity of northern breeds. Permitted colors include white, gray, black, red, fawn, agouti, and any combinations of these shades. Spots of any size and shape are allowed; symmetry is not required. Pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and lips must be dark, but winter fading (“snow nose”) is acceptable. Not permitted are blue eyes, merle color, or complete depigmentation. Color does not affect working quality but must support the natural northern type.
Size
The Greenland Dog is a large, powerful breed with strong bone and pronounced sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers: males 60–68 cm, females 55–62 cm. Weight ranges from 30–35 kg for females and 30–45 kg for males depending on condition and working form. Size must match functionality: the dog must be strong enough for pulling work yet agile and enduring. Excessive heaviness, lightness, or insufficient height are faults.
Faults
Faults include deviations from breed type that do not fully compromise functionality but reduce working quality or appearance. These include insufficient muscle development, weak topline, shallow chest, narrow or overly rounded ribs. Incorrect limb structure, straight angulation, toeing-in or toeing-out, or close hocks impair movement and stability. Coat that is too soft, short, or sparse is a fault. Light eyes, weak pigmentation, an overly long or coarse head also break type. Behaviorally, timidity, stubbornness without manageability, or excessive aggression are undesirable.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious structural, behavioral, or health issues. Human-directed aggression or extreme fearfulness exclude the dog from breeding. Merle color, complete depigmentation of the nose or eye rims, blue eyes, or pronounced skull asymmetry are unacceptable. Serious bite defects, multiple missing teeth, limb deformities impairing movement, or marked gait abnormalities are grounds for disqualification. Any genetic disorders, congenital defects, orthopedic diseases, or insufficient cold tolerance also exclude the dog from breeding.
Important Notes
The Greenland Dog must be evaluated as an Arctic working breed, and any deviation that reduces functionality is considered a major fault. Special attention is given to endurance, strength, and coat structure, as these qualities determine the dog’s ability to work in extreme conditions. Excessive decorative features or alterations that break the natural type are not allowed. The coat must remain natural, without grooming that changes the outline. Behavioral evaluation includes stability, confidence, and teamwork ability. Excessive aggression, fear, or apathy are unacceptable.
Conclusion
The Greenland Dog is an ancient, powerful, and enduring sled breed that has preserved its natural northern type and working qualities. Its strength, independence, and ability to work for hours in extreme climates make it indispensable in Arctic environments. The breed has a stable temperament, strong movement instincts, and loyalty to its owner while remaining independent and determined. The Greenland Dog requires serious physical workload, proper care, and respectful handling of its natural independence. Preserving the breed in its traditional form is essential for maintaining its unique working abilities.
