Sled dog breeds love two things: cold weather and running. Well, they also love being part of a team. And having a job to do. And learning new things. Basically, these are very active dogs eager for attention, affection and adventure. Many of the sled dogs on our list look similar at first (pointed ears, spitz-style tails, black and white coats, lots of blue eyes), but looking closer, they’re all unique and their temperaments can vary. Most are ancient working dog breeds, intelligent and independent. Some have high prey drives. All require firm training early on. You’re the pack leader, baby! You’ve got to earn their love by establishing ground rules for these strong, affectionate dogs.
12 Sled Dog Breeds That Aren’t Afraid of a Little Snow
Intelligent, active and independent fur balls
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Published Oct 15, 2024
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1. Alaskan Malamute
- Height: 23-25 inches
- Weight: 75-85 pounds
- Personality: Loyal, playful, willful
- Coat: Double, medium-length, waterproof
- Life Expectancy: 10-14 years
The Alaskan Malamute Club of America reminds us first and foremost these are working dogs. They love to be part of the pack and love having a job to do. Beyond early training, Malamutes need daily brushing to keep their thick coats free of tangles. They are strong—both in body and mind—but once they learn obedience skills and commands, Malamutes are delightful family companions.
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2. Alaskan Husky
- Height: 20-24 inches
- Weight: 40-75 pounds
- Personality: Social, stubborn, sweet
- Coat: Thick, various lengths
- Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
Alaskan Huskies are not Siberian Huskies. In fact, they aren’t technically a breed, per se, but more of a dog type, according to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. Some of the official breeds believed to have been combined to develop these dogs include Siberian Huskies, Greyhounds, German Shorthair Pointers, Eskimo Dogs, Alaskan Malamutes and Salukis. This means strength, endurance and lots of variety in appearance. Wisdom Panel, a dog DNA test kit company, notes one major difference between Alaskans and Siberians is that Alaskans thrive while working (their lean bodies make them great distance runners) and Siberians today thrive as family pets (though both need lots of exercise).
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3. Canadian Eskimo Dog (Canadian Inuit Dog)
- Height: 20-28 inches
- Weight: 40-105 pounds
- Personality: Territorial, brave, loyal
- Coat: Double, medium length, longer manes on males
- Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
This Canadian dog breed has a rich, yet troubled history. Originally, the Inuit people used them as sled dogs to haul goods and move from place to place. In the mid-20th century, there was an effort to eradicate the Canadian Eskimo Dog population. Luckily, they’ve made a comeback in recent years! This rare breed is incredibly brave and loyal to its family members. They also have very strong prey drives and prefer life in cold climates. Today, the Canadian Inuit Dog is the official animal symbol of the Nunavut territory under the name Qimmiq, the Inuktitut word for this unique breed.
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4. Chinook
- Height: 22-26 inches
- Weight: 50-90 pounds
- Personality: Intelligent, loving, confident
- Coat: Medium length, smooth
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Pronounced “shuh-nook,” the Chinook is the official state dog of New Hampshire. They are people-, kid- and dog-friendly pets ideal for outdoorsy families eager to bring their pup along on the trail or through the woods. Chinooks are also very rare (they almost went extinct in the 1960s)! Initially bred in New Hampshire in the early 1900s to be strong sled dogs, today Chinooks are sweet souls who thrive on companionship. Train them early and get the whole family involved in teaching commands and tricks.
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5. Greenland Dog
- Height: 20-26 inches
- Weight: 50-105 pounds
- Personality: Vocal, determined, good-natured
- Coat: Double, dense, long on body and tail
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Greenland Travel calls the Greenland Dog one of the most isolated and purest bred dogs in the world. These dogs prefer cold climates and are very strong-willed. Unlike some of the sled dogs on our list, Greenland Dogs aren’t automatically friendly with other dogs. They require lots of firm training, especially if they’ll be living in a home with kiddos. Purina says this breed’s closest relative is the Canadian Eskimo dog (they may even be the same breed).
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6. Greyster
- Height: 25-30 inches
- Weight: 65-90 pounds
- Personality: Obedient, strong
- Coat: Short
- Life Expectancy: N/A, probably 10-12 years
We don’t know much about Greysters, but what we do know is intriguing. This breed is often used in sled racing and skijoring, where a dog (or two) pulls you on skis. Some sources say Greysters are combinations of Greyhounds and Alaskan Huskies, while others say they’re a mix of German Shorthair Pointers and Greyhounds. Either way, these are fast, strong dogs. One skijoring enthusiast described a Greyster as “a couch potato at home that runs like the wind on a ski trail,” according to The Spokesman-Review.
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7. Mackenzie River Husky
- Height: 27-32 inches
- Weight: 70-100 pounds
- Personality: Social, strong
- Coat: Double, long
- Life Expectancy: N/A
If you ask the folks at National Purebred Dog Day or Sled Dog Central, they’ll tell you Mackenzie River Huskies aren’t really a distinct breed. They’re more like regional sled dogs, developed over time to perform well in specific areas of Northern Canada. These are big dogs with long legs and lots of strength. This could be because Mackenzie River Huskies are said to descend from Eskimo dog-wolf cross breeds. What little we know about them indicates they enjoy social groups but have independent natures that make training tricky.
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8. Samoyed
- Height: 19-24 inches
- Weight: 35-65 pounds
- Personality: Adaptable, gentle, social
- Coat: Double, long
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Another excellent family pet is the Samoyed! These smiling dogs are bright white balls of fluff with adaptable, gentle souls. An ancient breed originally from Siberia, this sled dog’s instinct to cuddle up to his humans after a long day is still very much alive. The Samoyed Club of America says these pups are playful even as seniors, so don’t expect life to be boring with a Samoyed!
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9. Seppala Siberian Sled Dog
- Height: 22-23 inches
- Weight: 40-50 pounds
- Personality: Willful, dedicated
- Coat: Medium length, dense
- Life Expectancy: 12-16 years
Though strong-willed, the Seppala Siberian Sled Dog trains well and can learn commands easily. Cold Mountain Siberians says these dogs are closely linked to Siberian Huskies, but tend to be slightly leaner. Seppalas are known as serious dogs who bond well with their people but may not be interested in strangers.
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10. Siberian Husky
- Height: 20-24 inches
- Weight: 35-60 pounds
- Personality: Affectionate, vocal, mischievous
- Coat: Double, medium length
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Though Siberian Huskies look a lot like Alaskan Malamutes, they are much smaller in scale and unlike the Malamute’s spitz tail, Huskies typically have straight tails. Siberian Huskies are also known more for their speed when it comes to sledding. Originally bred by the Chukchi people in Russia, these pups first made their way to the U.S. in 1909 to compete in the 408-mile All Alaska Sweepstakes race. The team of small sled dogs came in third, surprising everyone and paving the way for the breed to steal the hearts of Americans. The Siberian Husky Club of America says these dogs love agility training and are incredibly affectionate.
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11. Tamaskan Dog
- Height: 25-29 inches
- Weight: 50-100 pounds
- Personality: Intelligent, friendly
- Coat: Double, medium length, coarse
- Life Expectancy: 14-15 years
Like many other breeds on this list, Tamaskan Dogs are super smart but can be stubborn. They resemble wolves, according to the Tamaskan Dog Register, but are not aggressive or possessive. These big dogs enjoy learning skills and participating in family activities. They are friendly once they get to know you, and may even become so attached that they develop separation anxiety if you’re gone for long stretches.
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12. Yakutian Laika
- Height: 21-23 inches
- Weight: 40-55 pounds
- Personality: Protective, loving, adaptable
- Coat: Double, medium length, high shedding factor
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
The Sakha people of Siberia used Yakutian Laika dogs for just about everything including hunting, companionship and of course, sledding. In fact, the Yakutian Laika Club of America says the Sakha were the very first people to use sled dogs roughly 7,000 years ago. Today, these dogs do well with other canines, though their high prey drive may make them rowdy around smaller pets. Yakutian Laikas are loving companions who work well with kids when properly socialized.
Who Are Some Famous Sled Dogs?
Perhaps the two most famous sled dogs are Togo and Balto. In January of 1925, the town of Nome, Alaska was on the brink of a diphtheria epidemic. Children were getting sick and the disease, which basically suffocates its patients to death, was highly contagious. Due to whiteout snow conditions and high winds, trains could only carry the serum from Anchorage as far as Nenana, almost 700 miles east of Nome.
Togo and Balto each led a team of sled dogs on separate legs of this trip over the course of just six days, thwarting the spread of diphtheria. While the 1995 animated movie “Balto” celebrates the dog leading the team that arrived in Nome and officially delivered the serum, Disney’s 2019 “Togo” tells the story of the dog who led a team on the longest, riskiest stretch of tundra through Alaska to save the day. The Anchorage Daily News says “Togo” gets many details of this story right, including a dog sled team crossing the treacherous Norton Sound as a shortcut.
Balto is now believed to have been a hearty mix of many different breeds, though he looked a lot like a Siberian Husky. Togo is recorded as being a husky. Both dogs’ bodies were preserved and have been on display in museums across the country to honor their dedication and determination.
What Breeds Make the Best Sled Dogs?
The American Kennel Club says the breeds most known for their work as sled dogs are Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies and Chinooks. You’ll notice some breeds on our list aren’t officially recognized by kennel clubs, but are regional sled dogs who have developed over centuries to thrive in particular areas based on what their people needed.
Can a Sled Dog Be a Pet?
Yes, sled dogs can be pets—in the right hands. These dogs are not for first-time dog owners due to their strong-willed personalities and high energy needs. While some are suitable for families with young kids, others are best living with adults or older children. Many sled dogs also have strong prey drives, so households with cats, crawling babies, birds or other small animals should introduce a sled dog to the family in puppyhood. They need to know who and what is off limits.
Before getting a sled dog as a pet, it’s imperative you know exactly how you’ll provide lots of outdoor time in big spaces for your dog. Running is a fact of life for these cold-weather canines. Large, fenced-in yards are ideal, but don’t assume that will be enough! Many of the breeds on our list need fresh adventure. Think about hiking, agility training, hunting, tricks and more.
