What Dogs Are the Best for Cold Weather?

Dogs that thrive in cold weather tend to be large and have thick coats meant for withstanding harsh temperatures and adverse conditions. Many of these breeds can be found in the American Kennel Club's "working dog" group because they have their roots in outdoor work, such as herding, guarding animals and property, pulling sleds or carts, doing farm work and performing rescues.

  1. Arctic Breeds

    • Sled dog teams have long been used as one of the main methods of transportation in Arctic regions, pulling mail, cargo and people. To be part of one of these tough canine gangs, a dog must have endurance and strength to battle through winter weather and challenging terrain. But dog sleds haven't always just been used for work. Dog sled races are still popular today. The Iditarod race is a famous test of strength and strategy as dog sled teams race more than 1,000 miles over frozen rivers, barren tundra and through dense snowy forests each year in Alaska. The most common breeds used in dog sleds of all types are Huskies, Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimo Dogs and Chinooks. These breeds are strong and tough, with coats built for frigid temperatures. Other breeds are used as well, but these are some of the more familiar ones.

    Global Breeds

    • Many of the rest of the cold weather breeds make up a United Nations of dogs. They include the Norwegian Elkhound, Irish Wolfhound, Bouvier des Flandres (from Belgium), Old English Sheepdog, Bernese Mountain dog, Newfoundland, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Black Russian Terrier, Chow Chows (which originated in Mongolia) and the Akita, national dog of Japan. Hallmarks of all of these dogs, in addition to their physical characteristics of a muscular body and woolly coat, is that they tend to be independent, intensely devoted and intelligent. Some are more sociable than others. Some tend to be more task-oriented. All of these dogs are happiest when they get a lot of exercise in cold weather.

    Familiar Breeds

    • Several breeds that are more commonly known can also withstand cool climates. The St. Bernard, a longtime Alpine rescuer, is a big, loving dog that thrives in the snow. The Bearded Collie, which looks like a classic shaggy Disney dog, is affectionate and smart, but the beautiful long coat of hair requires lots of grooming. And German Shepherds have been used for outdoor work as messenger dogs and guard dogs since World War I. There are a few other breeds of dogs that can withstand cold weather, but don't forget that you might find a mutt that will be happy in the cold, too, depending on your needs, your preferences and your location. Remember that no matter what the breed, no dog should be left outside for long periods of time in freezing weather. All breeds need shelter from extreme elements.