Northern peoples have bred dogs for 3 primary purposes - herding, assisting hunters, and for pulling sleds and other conveyances. While Northern hunting
dogs, most of which originated in Europe, are still commonly working in their intended duties, and herding dogs are still working in many areas, sled dogs are mainly seen now in
recreational roles rather than utilitarian ones.
Although the use of sled dogs has dropped dramatically due to the widespread adoption of snowmobiles for winter travel,
the days when dogsledding was a way of life are still fondly remembered by many Northerners.
The sites below offer a vast array of information on dogs ranging from the huge Alaskan Malamute sled dogs to the tiny but muscular herder known as the
Swedish Vallhund.
Northern Breeds - General
Akita
Alaskan Husky
Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo Dog
Black Russian Terrier
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Caucasian Ovcharka
Chinook
Chow Chow
Eurasier
Finnish Hound
Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Spitz
Iceland Sheepdog
Inuit Dog
Jindo
Karelian Bear Dog
Kugsha Dog
Laika
Lapponian Herder (Reindeer Dog)
Mackenzie River Husky
Mud Husky
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Poongsan
Samoyed
Scandinavian Hound
Seppala Siberian Sleddogs
Shiba Inu
Siberian Husky
Swedish Lapphund
Swedish Molosser
Swedish Vallhund
Tahltan Bear Dog
Wolf-Dog Hybrids
