With winter comes the cold. But some dogs don’t hate the cold; in fact, several breeds absolutely love it! (Note: Just because these dogs were bred to withstand cold temperatures does not mean it is safe to leave them outdoors for long on cold days. They, too, can get frostbite and hypothermia.)
Here are seven cold-weather dog breeds that may enjoy some time in the chilly weather.
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is the oldest and largest of the Arctic sled dogs, having been used for freighting in the Arctic. They have a thick, coarse coat that keeps them warm.
Keeshond
The breed’s Arctic origins make it well-suited for cold climates. The Keeshond has a very thick coat that kept it warm when it served as a watchdog on riverboats in Holland.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland has a heavy coat that protects it from the icy waters it was originally bred to work in, making it ideal for colder weather.
Norwegian Elkhound
An ancient breed from Scandinavia with Nordic traits, the Norwegian Elkhound is used to hunting in the cold climate it came from. These traits have stayed with the breed and it makes a great cold-weather companion.
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs developed in the cold of the Himalayan Mountains and have an immense double coat that keeps them insulated.
Siberian Husky
Another breed that does well in colder temperatures is the Siberian Husky. The Husky originated in the cold climate of Northeast Asia and was also bred to be a sled dog. They have a thicker coat than most other dog breeds, made up of a dense cashmere-like undercoat and a longer, coarse top coat.
In contrast, the Alaskan Klee Kai, a smaller breed developed in Alaska, shares a resemblance to the Husky but typically has a shorter and less dense coat, better suited for milder climates.
Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard comes from the Swiss Alps and was originally used to locate freezing and helpless travelers during snowstorms, so this breed is used to being in cold and snowy regions.
