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Sled dogs -- or "sledge" dogs as its written in Greenland -- are not pets. But they are another "p" word, pretty p-l-e-n-t-i-f-u-l ! Visitors are warned the dogs are not domesticated; that in temperament they are closer to wolves than to household pets. Do not attempt to play with them. They are wild creatures, born and bred to work. But there's no work in the summer when snow is gone from towns and roads are clear. So they're on vacation, sort of. |
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 Dogs are fed twice a day. And about 15 minutes before that big event, they begin to howl...and keep it up until they've gotten their portion of raw meat, dried fish, or other scraps. |
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| The dogs live large groups, some groups are hundreds of dogs, but they're tied so that no more than two or three can reach each other and interact. In a town like Ilulissat, that has 5,000 people, there are nearly 4000 dogs. Dogs take up so much space that their land is even marked on local maps. | ||
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The dogs are never turned loose. They are never
exercised during the short summer.
Do they get fat and flabby and lazy? According to the Greenlanders, no. They get angry ... and ready to run! |
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