

Greenlandic Sled Dogs
Published: 25/06/2020
Reading time: 2 minutes
If you are in East Greenland or north of the Arctic Circle in West Greenland, you will almost certainly experience Greenlandic Sled Dogs in some way.
Used for over 4000 years as the primary mode of transportation when the fjords freeze over, these working dogs are carefully bred to maintain their hardiness, strength and stamina. In fact, they are so critical to the Greenlandic way of life in the North and East, that no other breed of dog is allowed into these areas!

Greenlandic Sled Dogs during the Summer
During the warmer months on a walk around (or just outside of) any of the towns or settlements, you will undoubtedly pass numerous dogs on their chains waiting (im)patiently for the winter to return and work to begin again.

You may even be lucky enough to stumble across the very cute puppies that wander and play freely in the streets.

And the never-ending summer evenings are usually accompanied by an orchestra of howls as the dogs unify into a chorus (Greenlandic Sled Dogs don’t bark).
Greenlandic Sled Dogs during the Winter
During the colder months when there is plenty of snow and sea-ice, locals still use dog sled teams for hunting, fishing and going on family outings.
However, dog sledding is also growing in popularity as an activity within the tourism industry, and there are now a number of operators that offer dog sledding tours ranging from a couple of hours to several days. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to do this yet, but you can read about Mads’ experience or Malik’s experience here on Guide to Greenland.
Perhaps next year I’ll have the chance to return and explore a new part of Greenland from behind a team of dogs…
Read more travel blogs from Lisa Germany
-
Glacier Camping | Midnight Sun Expedition | East Greenland
Tour startsKulusukDuration2 daysFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
New tour
Dog sledding tour to the UFO cabin | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration4 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Ilulissat Citywalk | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 300 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
3-Day Wilderness Journey: Hiking, Kayaking & Camping | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 daysFrom 15600 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)
City Walk | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration2 hoursFrom 1590 DKKSee more -
Private charter!
Whale Safari | Maniitsoq | West Greenland
Tour startsManiitsoqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
Settlement Tour By Dogsled | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration2 daysFrom 2700 DKKSee more -
5.00(8)Few departure times!
Point 660 Greenland Ice sheet tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration5 hoursFrom 750 DKKSee more -
Price for 4 people!
Glacier Landing by Helicopter | Qaqortoq | South Greenland
Tour startsQaqortoqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 17200 DKKSee more -
Nuuk Unveiled: 4-Day Through Greenland’s Capital & Nuuk Icefjord | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration4 daysFrom 15700 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)Accommodation & tours included!
Highlights of the Arctic winter in 5 days | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration5 daysFrom 11700 DKKSee more -
Paradise Valley & Ice Cap Tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration70 minutesFrom 3095 DKKSee more -
Boat tour among icebergs | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration2 hoursFrom 1100 DKKSee more -
5-Days Above The Arctic Circle | Sisimiut | West Greenland
Tour startsSisimiutDuration5 daysFrom 9461 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)2026-Flights from Denmark included!
A long weekend in the Arctic to remember | 5 days | Ilulissat
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration5 daysFrom 21900 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)Private chareter!
Glacier Adventure by boat | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration8 hoursFrom 12500 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
3 Days with Glacier Hiking, Ice Camping & Local Flavors | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration3 daysFrom 5500 DKKSee more -
Hike To Garnet Rock | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration8 hoursFrom 950 DKKSee more -
4.50(8)
Whale Safari | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 1195 DKKSee more