Dogs That Love Snow – Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working sled dog breed.

The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family.

It is recognizable by its thickly furred double coat, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings, and is smaller than the similar-looking Alaskan Malamute.

Siberian Husky, breed of working dog raised in Siberia by the Chukchi people, who valued it as a sled dog and companion.

It was brought to Alaska in 1909 for sled dog races and soon became established as a consistent winner.

In 1925 the breed gained widespread fame by saving Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria epidemic; teams of Siberian Huskies battled blizzard conditions to relay life-saving serum over 674 miles (1,085 km) to the icebound city.

A graceful dog with erect ears and a dense soft coat, the Siberian Husky stands 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) tall at the withers and weighs 35 to 60 pounds (16 to 27 kg).

It is usually gray, tan, or black and white, and it may have head markings resembling a cap, a mask, or spectacles.

The breed, kept pure for hundreds of years in Siberia, is noted for its intelligence and a gentle temperament.

It was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (International Canine Federation) in 1966 as a member of the spitz and primitive types group (subgroup Nordic sledge dogs) and by the American Kennel Club in 1930 as a member of the working group.

Dogs That Love Snow – Samoyed

The Samoyed is a breed of medium-sized herding dogs with thick, white, double-layer coats.

They are a spitz-type dog which takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia.

Descending from the Nenets Herding Laika, they are a domesticated animal that assists in herding, hunting, protection and sled-pulling. 

Samoyed, breed of working dog developed in Siberia, where its ancestors were kept by the Nenets (formerly Samoyed or Yurak) people as a sled dog and companion and as a herding dog for their reindeer.

The Samoyed is sturdily built, with erect ears, dark almond-shaped eyes, and a characteristic “smile.” Its long heavy coat is white, cream, biscuit (grayish yellow), or white and biscuit.

The Samoyed stands 19 to 23.5 inches (48 to 60 cm) tall at the withers and weighs 35 to 65 pounds (16 to 29.5 kg).

The breed was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1906.

Dogs That Love Snow – Keeshond

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a plush, two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a ruff and a curled tail.

It originated in Holland, and its closest relatives are the German spitzes such as the Großspitz, Mittelspitz, Kleinspitz, Zwergspitz or Pomeranian. keeshond, also called Dutch barge dog, breed of dog long kept on Dutch barges as a guard and companion.

Originally a dog kept by working-class people, the keeshond was the symbol of the 18th-century Dutch Patriots Party.

It derived its present name from a dog, Kees, belonging to Kees de Gyselaer, the leader of the Patriots.

Descended from the same ancestors as the Samoyed, Norwegian elkhound, spitz, and Pomeranian, the keeshond has a foxlike face and a plumed tail carried high over its back.

Its long, thick, gray coat consists of a pale undercoat overlaid by black-tipped hairs.

Shadings and markings around the eyes give the impression of spectacles.

The mature keeshond stands 17 to 18 inches (43 to 46 cm) and weighs 55 to 66 pounds (25 to 30 kg).

It is the national dog of the Netherlands.

Dogs That Love Snow – Akita

The Akita is a historic dog breed of large size originating from the mountains of northern Japan.

The two separate varieties of Akita are a pure Japanese strain, commonly called Akita-ken, and a mixed American strain, commonly larger. 

An Akita is truly a royal pup—hailing from Japan, this breed was once only owned by the Imperial family.

Statues of the Akita were also given as gifts to new parents to bring health, happiness, and a long life.

This dog, originally bred as a cold-weather hunting companion with a dense undercoat and harsh outer coat, can often be independent and stubborn, but will remain protective and loyal to its family.

Dogs That Love Snow – Anatolian Shepherd

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a plush, two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a ruff and a curled tail.

The Anatolian Shepherd is a serious mountain dog—the breed is rugged and tough, but still agile and able to handle long treks.

Originally used as a flock guard in Turkey more than 6,000 years ago, this breed has low energy but is very protective—the dog should know who is boss from the beginning and will then welcome strangers that the owner introduces.

Dogs That Love Snow – Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large dog breed, one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps.

These dogs have roots in the Roman mastiffs.

The name Sennenhund is derived from the German Senne and Hund, as they accompanied the alpine herders and dairymen called Senn.

This dog has it all—strength, speed, and agility—but will still be completely devoted to its owner with its gentle temperament and low exercise needs.

The breed, originally bred as a drafting and driving dog in Switzerland, is sturdy and large enough to carry it’s own gear–and some of yours, too.

Dogs That Love Snow – St. Bernard

The Saint Bernard or St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Western Alps in Italy and Switzerland.

They were originally bred for rescue work by the hospice of the Great St Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border.

Saint Bernards became (more) famous when the beloved, super slobbery, trouble-making Beethoven hit the big screen in the 1992.

Not all Saint Bernards cause so much disaster, but they are really that big—120 to 200 pounds.

Saint Bernards have low energy and aren’t necessarily super playful, but they make up for it with affection and willingness to work—the muscular dogs will trek for miles through deep snow to search for lost travelers.

Dogs That Love Snow – German Shepherd

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a plush, two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a ruff and a curled tail.

The breed’s popularity grew with Rin Tin Tin, the abandoned German Shepherd pup found during WWI who went on to star in TV shows and movies.

Known for their herding, guarding, and police work, German Shepherds are strong, agile, hard workers that have a lot of energy and learn quickly.

This breed commonly suffers from hip dysplasia, which can likely be avoided by buying from a credible breeder.

Dogs That Love Snow – Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a spitz-type of dog breed originally from northern China.

The Chow Chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears with rounded tips.

The breed is known for a very dense double coat that is either smooth or rough.

Chow Chows are perhaps best known for their black tongues and wooly coats, which make them extremely tolerant to cold temperatures.

If you love the outdoors and are owned by a Chow Chow, then you should take him or her everywhere you go in the snow.

Chows are most delighted when with their humans.

Dogs That Love Snow – Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a large working dog.

They can be black, brown, grey, or white.

However, in the Dominion of Newfoundland, before it became part of the confederation of Canada, only black and Landseer coloured dogs were considered to be proper members of the breed.

The perfect family dog, Newfies have low energy, but come chock full of friendliness and protectiveness.

This breed is calm and patient, and can weigh up to 150 pounds.

The Newfoundland has a heavy coat that protected it from the icy waters it was originally bred to work in, making it ideal for colder weather.

These Canadian dogs are still used in water rescues today, but don’t be fooled by their swimming skills—a double coat and a strong body make it ideal for mountains, too.

And although these gentle giants barely ever bark, they do drool…a lot.

Dogs That Love Snow – American Eskimo

The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of companion dog, originating in Germany.

The American Eskimo Dog is a member of the Spitz family. It is considered an ancient dog breed due to its recent admixture with wolves. 

Originating from Germany, the American Eskimo was originally called the White German Spitz but was renamed after World War II, most likely for its white coat–not for any connection with Eskimos.

Though this playful and compact and used to perform indoors with the Barnum and Bailey Circus, outdoor activity suits it much better.

Its coat resists soaking and thick ears stay warm in low temperatures.

Dogs That Love Snow – Great Pyreneese

The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is a breed of livestock guardian dog from France, where it is commonly called the Patou.

The breed comes from the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain.

The Great Pyrenees were once used to herd livestock on steep mountain slopes of France and will eagerly embark on a tough, rugged hike.

These dogs, which weigh in at 80 to 100 pounds, are elegant and calm—they were, after all, the Royal Dog of France.

They are the gentlest of the guarding breeds, the longest living on the whole of the giant breeds, and are easy to care for.

They love winter.

Their thick, double coat protects them from all but the most artic of temperatures.

Dogs That Love Snow – Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a large breed of dog that was originally bred for its strength and endurance to haul heavy freight as a sled dog and hound.

It is similar to other arctic breeds such as the husky, the spitz, the Greenland Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, the Siberian Husky, and the Samoyed.Bred to haul heavy loads, run, and roam, the Alaskan Malmute is the ultimate cold-weather canine.

The Alaskan Malamute is a great cold weather breed because of its origin—they come from Alaska and are 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.