12 Snow Dog Breeds Made for the Cold Weather
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If you live in a cold and snowy place, these breeds could be perfect for you.
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Siberian Huskies are popular snow dogs.Snow dog breeds thrive in colder environments and typically have warm and fluffy coats but can come in varying sizes. Some dog breeds are developed for speed, guarding, hunting, or companionship but others are bred to withstand extreme temperatures and cold environments in addition to specific purposes. Since cold climates often come with snow, these dog breeds are commonly referred to as snow dog breeds.
Learn about the following 12 snow dog breeds to see if there's a breed that's right for you.
Tip
While some snow dogs are very adaptable, their coats are thick and designed to stay warm in cold climates, so they are not ideal for very hot environments.
Siberian Husky
This classic dog breed is known for their sled-pulling abilities, so it's no surprise that the husky is a popular type of snow dog. Siberian huskies are popular with active families and are known to be vocal and fluffy dogs.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 21-23.5 inches (males); 20-22 inches (females)
Weight: 45-60 lbs (males); 35-50 lbs (females)
Personality/Temperament: Family-friendly, vocal, energetic
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: White, black, and a combination of white with red, black and tan, gray, brown, agouti, black, or sable, medium length hair
Life Span: 12-14 years
Samoyed
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Samoyeds are known for their smiles.Samoyeds, or Sammies, are known for their smiles and for loving the snow. This medium to large, white, fluffy dog blends in perfectly with the white fluffy stuff.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 21-23.5 inches (males); 19-21 inches (females)
Weight: 45-65 lbs (males); 35-50 lbs (females)
Personality/Temperament: Vocal, active, protective
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: White, biscuit, or cream, long hair
Life Span: 12-14 years
Saint Bernard
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While not fluffy, St. Bernard fur is still warm.Often pictured with a small cask of brandy around their necks, the Saint Bernard didn't actually carry liquor in the Swiss Alps, but they are affectionate snow dogs. This giant breed was bred to find and rescue people trapped in the snowy mountains so they're made to be in snow.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 26 to 28 inches (females); 28 to 30 inches (males)
Weight: 120 to 140 lbs (females); 140 to 180 lbs (males)
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, protective
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Brindle and white, brown and white, mahogany and white, orange and white, red and white, or rust and white with/without a black mask, short to medium-length, smooth or rough double coat
Life Span: 8-10 years
Great Pyrenees
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Also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the Great Pyrenees is a popular dog breed.A gentle giant, the Great Pyrenees is a large snow dog that comes from the snowy Pyrenees mountains in France. This white, double-coated breed can be very vocal but are usually very calm dogs.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 25 to 32 inches
Weight: 100 to 150 lbs (males); 85 to 110 lbs (females)
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, patient
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: White, but may have markings of gray, tan, badger, or reddish-brown, thick, double-coat
Life Span: 10-12 years
Alaskan Malamute
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The Alaskan Malamute has been in existence for thousands of years.Often confused with the smaller Siberian husky or the Alaskan sled dog, the Alaskan Malamute is a big sled-pulling snow dog bred by the ancient Mahlemut tribe of Alaska. Malamutes were bred to be strong and pull heavy weight on a sled while Siberian huskies are faster and designed to be racers. Alaskan sled dogs were bred from both huskies and Malamutes.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 24 to 27 inches (males); 22 to 24 inches (females)
Weight: 85 lbs (males); 75 lbs (females)
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, bright, courageous
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Solid white or combinations of white and gray, seal, red, black, or silver, thick, double coat
Life Span: 10-12 years
American Eskimo Dog
Made popular through their involvement in the early days of the Barnum and Bailey circus, the American Eskimo Dog is a very smart, hardworking breed. Despite the name, the breed was not developed by any indigenous groups of people that live in cold climates, but their white coats and German spitz farm descendants lend to their identity as snow dogs.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting
Height: 9 to 12 inches (toy variety); 12 to 15 inches (miniature variety); 15 to 19 inches (standard variety)
Weight: 6 to 10 lbs (toy); 10 to 20 lbs (miniature); 25 to 35 lbs (standard)
Personality/Temperament: Alert, friendly, intelligent
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: White or slightly cream-colored, thick, glossy double-coat with thick ruff around neck and chest
Life Span: 13-15 years
40 Spitz Dog Breeds That Like to Be Cool
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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Unlike most snow dogs, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have short fur.Closely related to the Bernese mountain dog, the Greater Swiss mountain dog was bred to withstand the cold and snowy Swiss Alps. They are strong and dependable, designed to haul carts to market.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 23.7 to 27 inches (females); 25.5 to 28.5 inches (males)
Weight: 85 to 110 lbs (females); 115 to 140 lbs (males)
Personality/Temperament: Loyal, affectionate, dependable
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Black, red, white, short and smooth
Life Span: 8-11 years
Tibetan Mastiff
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Tibetan Mastiffs are big snow dogs.An ancient breed, the Tibetan mastiff is a giant breed dog that does well in the snow. Despite not knowing exactly when the breed was first developed, they are well-known to have spent many years in the Himalayan mountains guarding livestock.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 24 inches and taller
Weight: 70-150 lbs
Personality/Temperament: Aloof, protective, independent
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Double outer coat is fine but hard, straight, and stand-off; undercoat is heavy, soft, and woolly, black, brown/chocolate/liver, blue, gray, or gold/yellow
Life Span: 10-12 years
Bernese Mountain Dog
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Bernese Mountain Dogs are popular family dogs and livestock guardians.Bred in Switzerland, the Bernese mountain dog is a gentle snow dog breed. Their thick coat protects them from the snow and cold and their size enables them to do the work that was demanded of a typical farm dog in the mountains.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 23 to 26 inches (females); 25 to 27.5 inches (males)
Weight: 70 to 95 lbs (females); 80 to 115 lbs (males)
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, even-tempered, loyal
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Thick, medium-length double coat, black, rust, and white or black, tan, and white
Life Span: 7-10 years
Newfoundland
Hailing from Canada, the Newfoundland is a giant snow dog. This breed is gentle and furry, perfect for children to hug and cuddle. They were developed to be strong rescue swimmers in frigid water.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 26 inches (females); 28 inches (males)
Weight: 100 to 120 lbs (females); 130 to 150 lbs (males)
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, sweet, loyal
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Black, brown, gray, white and black, medium to long double coat
Life Span: 9-10 years
Keeshond
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The Keeshond loves the snow.The Keeshond is thought to have been developed in arctic or sub-arctic regions so it's no wonder that it's often referred to as a snow dog breed. The fluffy and very thick coat of this breed allow them to stay warm.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting
Height: 18 inches (males); 17 inches (females)
Weight: 35-45 lbs
Personality/Temperament: Lively, outgoing, alert
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Very thick with a double topcoat, wooly undercoat, and long outer coat, cream, black, and gray color combinations with black markings around the eyes
Life Span: 12-15 years
Akita
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Akitas originated in Japan.The Akita was bred in northern Japan where snowy mountains abound. They were developed and used as powerful hunters but are now more often utilized to guard families. Their thick coat protects them from cold climates but they are also heavy shedders.
Breed Overview
Group: Working
Height: 26 to 28 inches (males); 24 to 26 inches (females)
Weight: 100 to 130 lbs (males); 70 to 100 lbs (females)
Personality/Temperament: Protective, independent, loyal
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short, thick, double-layered coat, brindle and pinto, each with white markings
Life Span: 10-14 years
More Snow Dog Breeds
If you're interested in learning more about snow dogs, check out these breeds:
Read Next: 6 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active in the Winter
Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
