Text: Anders Stenbakken
Destination East Greenland
Coming to Ammassalik, be it summer or winter you’ll find the presence of dogs everywhere. The dogs have for several thousand years played a crucial role in hunting communities in Greenland - and continues to play an important part for hunters in Ammassalik today. However, dogs are not used exclusively for hunting and fishing, in the spring several hunters supply their income by working for hotels and tour operators in the area. Dogsledding is a popular activity for many tourists, simply because it is one of the best ways to experience the magnificent landscape and nature of Ammassalik.The Greenlandic dogs are very patient animals and not dangerous or aggressive toward humans. You can quite safely pet a Greenlandic dog. However, if a dog has small cups or looks ill, we advise you to keep a little distance, as you might stress the dog. Don’t hand feed a dog, as he may not know the difference between you hand and what’s on it.
Origin
The roots of the Greenlandic dog date back 4,000 years, possibly more. Along with the Inuit people, this breed survived the harsh conditions of the Arctic.
The dog originates from the Asian continent, possibly in the region of present day Mongolia. The Inuit’s, accompanied by their dogs crossed the Bering Straits in continuous waves of migration between 900 and 1100 AD. They spread out to the south and east, until they reached Greenland and could go no further, the people not having boats to carry them over the ocean. The dog found in Greenland today is believed to be one of the most isolated and pure dog breeds in the world and no interbreeding with other breeds of dogs is allowed.
Physical description
A working mature male will weigh 40-43kg and a female 30-35kg. A typical male stands 68cm at the withers, while a female reaches 60cm. A female is capable of having puppies twice a year. Typically 4 – 8 pups. Pregnancy: 61 days. The puppy grows rapidly and is of a fair size by the time it reaches one year.
The Greenlandic dog has a broad, wedge-shaped, well-proportioned head. He comes in a variety of coat colours: all white, all black, brown/red, grey and a lot of in-betweens. They typically have a bushy tail, which curls over the back and down one side. Often the tip is white, though some rare dogs have a black tip - a throwback from their ancestor, the wolf. The ears are small, straight and rounded, and planted on the sides of the head. When attentive, the ears are slightly forward. The lips are brown or black and curl downwards at the back of the mouth giving the dog a decidedly disdainful air.
His eyes are almond-shaped, wide-spaced, small and slanted. It gives him a wild and sly appearance, yet he is neither. The eyes are dark brown to amber in colour. He has a straight neck, which is both thick and muscled. His chest is also well muscled. The shoulders are broad and obliquely set, and seen from front or rear, the dog stands on straight, not unduly-long, legs.
The dog's paws are large and almost round, with thick pads heavily furred between the toes. A well-developed loin and strong thigh muscles make up the rear of the body. The spine is prominent and can easily be felt even in properly nourished animals.
The Inuit Sled Dog is a true northern breed, with a close affinity to his ancestor the wolf. He does not bark, but howls plaintively, which can sometimes be very disturbing to neighbours.
Temperament
Fundamentally, the Greenlandic dog is a worker. He’s neither a racer nor a pet. He’s incredibly tough and a primitive dog with simple interests: Food, pulling, mating, sleeping, fighting and food. One of his main attributes is his ability to pull one and a half times his own weight over great distances. The Greenlandic dog has a strong pack mentality, and respects its hierarchy, that is unless he feels there is an opening for advancement. He’s very friendly and great company but not overwhelmingly loyal. If you’re looking into a pair of fists and some serious beating, don’t expect any help from him - what so ever. You feed him so he works for you. That’s basically how deep the feelings go.
Food
The sled dog has completely adapted to the Arctic conditions, and is, as far as we know, the only dog capable of surviving entirely on snow and frozen meat.
Menu card: Anything. However when their owners are to decide, the food is based on: Seal meat, all kind of fish, dog food, and leftovers from the family dinner.
Dogs in Ammassalik.
When a puppy reaches the age of 6 months, it has to be chained due to regulations given by the home rule government. In Tasiilaq most of the dogs are kept in special dog areas in the outskirt of the city, but you’ll also find several dog teams chained within the city.
In wintertime the dogs has a thick, clean and beautiful fur. In the summertime the very thick winter fur is being replaced with the cooler summer fur and since they are not combed, this fur falls of in quite large tufts. The dog looks quite shabby, and summertime the dog’s appearance is misjudged as mistreatment.
It’s important to stress the following: The Greenlandic dog is a working animal and is treated like that by their owner. This means they sleep out all year; they are not taken out for a walk when they are chained during summertime, and when they’re to old to work, normally around the age of 8 - 9 they’re shot. It can seem hard, and it properly is - but this is the life of the Greenlandic sled dog, not mistreatment. The hunter has an obvious interest in the well being of his dogs, as he depends on their strength to pull the sled. Mistreatment occurs, but this has the awareness of the authorities in Greenland. A person who mistreats his dogs risks having the whole team confiscated; he also looses respect in the eyes of other hunters.
