Best Dog Breeds for Cold Weather

Guide overview

Explore dog breeds that are often better suited to colder climates, with attention to coat, origin, and outdoor tolerance.

These picks favor breeds associated with colder regions or heavier weather-ready coats, while still comparing practical daily fit.

Who this guide helps

Use this page when these are the tradeoffs you care about most.

What to compare before you choose

• Cold-weather ability does not automatically mean easy living; many of these breeds also bring stronger exercise needs or heavier shedding.
• Compare coat maintenance, climate fit, and whether you want a winter-tolerant companion or a truly cold-built working breed.
• Even snow-ready breeds still need shelter, conditioning, and sensible limits in extreme weather.

Featured breeds

Siberian Husky

Working • Russia • Large size

35–60 lbs • 12–15 years

Alaskan Malamute

working • United States • Giant size

75–85 lbs • 10–12 years

Samoyed

Working • Russia • Medium size

35–65 lbs • 12–14 years

Saint Bernard

Working • Switzerland • Giant size

120–180 lbs • 8–10 years

Newfoundland

Working • Canada • Giant size

100–150 lbs • 8–10 years

Norwegian Elkhound

hound • Norway • Medium size

48–55 lbs • 12–14 years

Finnish Lapphund

herding • Finland • Medium size

33–53 lbs • 12–15 years

Icelandic Sheepdog

herding • Iceland • Medium size

25–30 lbs • 12–14 years

Bernese Mountain Dog

Working • Switzerland • Giant size

70–115 lbs • 7–10 years

Leonberger

working • Germany • Giant size

90–140 lbs • 8–10 years

Appenzeller

Working • Switzerland • Medium size

48–70 lbs • 12–14 years

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

sporting • Canada • Medium size

35–50 lbs • 12–14 years

Finnish Spitz

non-sporting • Finland • Medium size

20–33 lbs • 13–15 years

Labrador Retriever

Sporting • Canada • Large size

55–80 lbs • 10–12 years

Norwegian Lundehund

working • Norway • Small size

13–16 lbs • 12–15 years

Tamaskan Dog

working • Finland • Large size

55–88 lbs • 14–15 years

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

working • Switzerland • Giant size

85–140 lbs • 8–11 years

Entlebucher

Herding • Switzerland • Medium size

45–65 lbs • 11–13 years

References

Reference links below include the breed pages featured here, along with kennel-club directories and standards where available.

1. American Kennel Club breed directory
   American Kennel Club
2. Royal Kennel Club breeds A-Z
   The Royal Kennel Club
3. Royal Kennel Club breed standards
   The Royal Kennel Club
4. Siberian Husky — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
5. Siberian Husky — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
6. Siberian Husky — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
7. Alaskan Malamute — American Kennel Club breed profile
   American Kennel Club
8. Alaskan Malamute — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
   The Royal Kennel Club
9. Alaskan Malamute — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
   The Royal Kennel Club
10. Samoyed — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club
11. Samoyed — Royal Kennel Club breed profile
    The Royal Kennel Club
12. Samoyed — Royal Kennel Club breed standard
    The Royal Kennel Club
13. Saint Bernard — American Kennel Club breed profile
    American Kennel Club

Frequently asked questions