

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
-
Paradise Valley & Ice Cap Tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration70 minutesFrom 3095 DKKSee more -
4.90(10)Flexible departures!
The Great Russell Glacier | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)1 To 6 Passengers Included
The Calving Glacier Eqi & Paakitsoq | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 16000 DKKSee more -
New tour!
Catch of the Ice: Arctic Ice Fishing in Ilulissat | West Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
Scenic Flight
Greenland Icecap & Blue Lakes | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration40 minutesFrom 2050 DKKSee more -
Boat tour to Saattut Settlement | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration2 hoursFrom 1300 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
Greenland’s Majestic Frontiers | 12 Days in Nuuk & Ilulissat | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration12 daysFrom 92000 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Afternoon Ilulissat Icefjord sailing | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 770 DKKSee more -
Settlement Tour By Dogsled | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration2 daysFrom 2700 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Afternoon Whales & Ice | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2.5 hoursFrom 850 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)
Ghost Village Boat Cruise | Sisimiut | West Greenland
Tour startsSisimiutDuration3 hoursFrom 1040 DKKSee more -
City walk | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration2 hoursFrom 600 DKKSee more -
Assaqutaq Trail Transfer | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration5.5 hoursFrom 700 DKKSee more -
Musk Ox, Reindeer & Ice Cap Tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration25 minutesFrom 1350 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Northern Lights from a mountain top | Snowshoe tour in Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration3 hoursFrom 2800 DKKSee more -
A 2-Day Arctic Luxury Escape at Eqi Glacier | West Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 daysFrom 8900 DKKSee more -
Kayaking tour from Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 900 DKKSee more