Ranking · 20 breeds
Cold-hardy dog breeds for outdoors and the yard
In short Cold-hardy breeds with a dense double coat thrive outdoors and in cold climates — ideal for a house with a yard.
How we rated
The higher the “Weather” score, the higher the position. We factored in cold tolerance and suitability for outdoor life.
All breeds in this ranking have the same score on the main axis, so the order was decided by the additional ones:
Energy · Shedding
1
East Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
2
Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound)
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
3
Russo-European Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
4
West Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
5
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.5 ↓
5.0
6
Greenland Dog
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.5 ↓
5.0
7
Halden Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
8
Hygen Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
9
Schillerstövare
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
10
Styrian Coarse-haired Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
11
Lapponian Herder (Lapinporokoira)
Energy 4.5
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
12
Norrbottenspets
Energy 4.5
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
13
Black Norwegian Elkhound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
14
Savoy Shepherd
Energy 4.0
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
15
Swedish Lapphund
Energy 4.0
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
16
American Tundra Shepherd
Energy 4.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
17
Finnish Lapphund
Energy 4.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
18
Kuchi Dog (Afghan Shepherd)
Energy 3.0
Shedding 3.0 ↓
5.0
19
Akbash Dog
Energy 3.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
20
Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Karabash)
Energy 3.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
East Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
2
Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound)
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
3
Russo-European Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
4
West Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
5
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.5 ↓
5.0
6
Greenland Dog
Energy 5.0
Shedding 4.5 ↓
5.0
7
Halden Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
8
Hygen Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
9
Schillerstövare
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
10
Styrian Coarse-haired Hound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 2.5 ↓
5.0
11
Lapponian Herder (Lapinporokoira)
Energy 4.5
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
12
Norrbottenspets
Energy 4.5
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
13
Black Norwegian Elkhound
Energy 4.5
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
14
Savoy Shepherd
Energy 4.0
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
15
Swedish Lapphund
Energy 4.0
Shedding 3.5 ↓
5.0
16
American Tundra Shepherd
Energy 4.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
17
Finnish Lapphund
Energy 4.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
18
Kuchi Dog (Afghan Shepherd)
Energy 3.0
Shedding 3.0 ↓
5.0
19
Akbash Dog
Energy 3.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
20
Anatolian Shepherd Dog (Karabash)
Energy 3.0
Shedding 4.0 ↓
5.0
How the ranking is built
order: Weather → Energy → Shedding → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
Which breeds handle frost best?
Northern spitz and shepherd breeds: Husky, Malamute, Samoyed, Elkhound, Pyrenean and Caucasian dogs — they have a dense double coat.
Can such a dog be kept outdoors in winter?
Cold-hardy breeds withstand the cold but still need an insulated kennel, dry bedding and non-freezing water.
And do they cope with heat?
Poorly — the dense coat overheats; in summer they need shade, water and cool spots.