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Alaskan Malamute sled team pulling at their harness.
otsphoto/Shutterstock

With winter comes the cold. But some dogs don’t hate the cold; in fact, several breeds absolutely love it! (Note: Just because these dogs were bred to withstand cold temperatures does not mean it is safe to leave them outdoors for long on cold days. They, too, can get frostbite and hypothermia.)

Here are seven cold-weather dog breeds that may enjoy some time in the chilly weather.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute howling outdoors in winter.
©ekim - stock.adobe.com

The Alaskan Malamute is the oldest and largest of the Arctic sled dogs, having been used for freighting in the Arctic. They have a thick, coarse coat that keeps them warm.

Keeshond

Keeshond playing in the snow.
Ryhor Bruyeu (Grisha Bruev) via Getty Images

The breed’s Arctic origins make it well-suited for cold climates. The Keeshond has a very thick coat that kept it warm when it served as a watchdog on riverboats in Holland.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland at the AKC National Championship.
Photo by HOTdog

The Newfoundland has a heavy coat that protected it from the icy waters it was originally bred to work in, making it ideal for colder weather.

Norwegian Elkhound

Norwegian Elkhound standing outdoors.
monicorem/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

An ancient breed from Scandinavia with Nordic traits, the Norwegian Elkhound is used to hunting in the cold climate it came from. These traits have stayed with the breed and it makes a great cold-weather companion.

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff standing outdoors in the snow.
©Kuzya - stock.adobe.com

Tibetan Mastiffs developed in the cold of the Himalayan Mountains and have an immense double coat that keeps them insulated.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky standing outdoors in the winter.
©Sergey Bogdanov - stock.adobe.com

Another breed that does well in colder temperatures is the Siberian Husky. The Husky originated in the cold climate of Northeast Asia and was also bred to be a sled dog. They have a thicker coat than most other dog breeds, made up of a dense cashmere-like undercoat and a longer, coarse top coat.

Saint Bernard

©Grigorita Ko - stock.adobe.com

The Saint Bernard comes from the Swiss Alps and was originally used to locate freezing and helpless travelers during snowstorms, so this breed is used to being in cold and snowy regions.

Related article: Hypothermia in Dogs: How Cold Is Too Cold?
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