Fetch FinderThe best dogs for cold winters have a thick double coat: a dense, woolly undercoat under longer guard hairs. Northern breeds like the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed were bred for Arctic weather and often prefer snow to summer.
Breeds rated 5/5 for cold tolerance
Large · 50–90 lb👪 Good family dogGerman ShepherdSmart, loyal and protective. German Shepherds thrive with an experienced owner who gives them a job, training and lots of exercise.
Small · 17–23 lbBetter with adults or older kidsShiba InuClean, confident and independent, with a thick coat built for cold. Shibas fit apartments well but are stubborn and hard to train.
Medium · 35–60 lb👪 Good family dogSiberian HuskyBuilt for snow and endless running. Huskies are friendly and striking, but need a lot of exercise and a secure yard.
Large · 70–115 lb👪 Great family dogBernese Mountain DogA gentle giant that loves families and cold weather. Berners are calm and affectionate, but their large size and shorter lifespan matter.
Medium · 35–65 lb👪 Great family dogSamoyedA fluffy white snow dog with a famous smile. Samoyeds are friendly with everyone and love cold weather.
Medium · 35–45 lb👪 Great family dogKeeshondA friendly, fluffy companion that loves people. Keeshonden are easy to train and very good with kids.
Medium · 45–70 lbBetter with adults or older kidsChow ChowDignified, independent and cat-like. Chows are quiet and clean, but aloof with strangers and best with experienced owners.
Large · 85–100+ lb👪 Good family dogGreat PyreneesA calm, patient guardian bred to protect flocks in the mountains. Pyrs are gentle with family but independent and loud at night.
Large · 75–85 lbBetter with adults or older kidsAlaskan MalamuteA powerful Arctic sled dog that's friendly, playful and strong-willed. Malamutes love snow and hard work.
Large · 100–150 lb👪 Great family dogNewfoundlandA sweet, patient giant famous for water rescue and gentleness with kids. Newfies are calm but very big and very hairy.
Large · 120–180 lb👪 Good family dogSaint BernardA famously gentle mountain rescue dog. Saints are calm and loving, but their size, drool and cost are serious commitments.
Large · 55–80 lbBetter with adults or older kidsChesapeake Bay RetrieverA tough, water-loving retriever with an oily, waterproof coat. Chessies are loyal and more protective than Labs.
Medium · 35–50 lb👪 Good family dogNova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverThe smallest retriever, with a fox-red coat and a high-pitched "toller scream." Smart, busy and athletic.
Large · 80–115 lb👪 Good family dogOtterhoundA big, shaggy, amiable scent hound bred to hunt otters. Rare, boisterous and loves water.
Medium · 48–55 lb👪 Good family dogNorwegian ElkhoundA bold, sturdy spitz that hunted moose in Norway. Friendly, confident and made for cold.
Large · 80–130 lbBetter with adults or older kidsBlack Russian TerrierA huge, black working dog bred by the Soviet army as a guardian. Calm, confident and protective.
Medium · 20–33 lb👪 Good family dogFinnish SpitzFinland's national dog: a fox-red spitz famous for its loud, frequent bark. Lively and friendly.
Medium · 6–35 lb👪 Good family dogAmerican Eskimo DogA fluffy white spitz that comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes. Smart, playful and easy to train.
Large · 70–130 lbBetter with adults or older kidsAkitaA powerful, dignified Japanese guardian. Loyal and affectionate with family, wary of strangers and other dogs.
Large · 70–115 lbBetter with adults or older kidsKuvaszA large, white Hungarian guardian. Loyal and protective, independent and wary of strangers.
Large · 80–100+ lbBetter with adults or older kidsKomondorThe famous "mop dog," with a corded white coat. A serious flock guardian that protects its family.
Medium · 25–35 lb👪 Good family dogPuliA small Hungarian herding dog with a corded coat. Smart, agile and devoted.
Large · 90–170 lb👪 Great family dogLeonbergerA huge, lion-maned gentle giant from Germany. Calm, friendly and great with kids.
Large · 80–150 lbBetter with adults or older kidsAnatolian ShepherdA rugged Turkish livestock guardian. Calm, independent and fiercely protective.
Large · 70–150 lbBetter with adults or older kidsTibetan MastiffAn ancient Himalayan guardian with a lion-like mane. Aloof, independent and very protective.Large · 55–90 lb👪 Great family dogChinookNew Hampshire's state dog, a rare sled dog that's gentle, calm and family-friendly.
Large · 60–100 lb👪 Great family dogOld English SheepdogA big, shaggy, bear-like herding dog with a clownish, gentle nature. Wonderful with kids.
Large · 70–110 lb👪 Good family dogBouvier des FlandresA rugged Belgian cattle dog with a shaggy coat and beard. Calm, loyal and protective.
Medium · 30–50 lb👪 Good family dogPolish Lowland SheepdogA shaggy, sturdy herding dog from Poland. Confident, clever and devoted.
Medium · 26–40 lb👪 Good family dogNorwegian BuhundA cheerful, curly-tailed farm dog from Norway. Energetic, friendly and easy to train.
Medium · 25–30 lb👪 Great family dogIcelandic SheepdogIceland's only native breed: a cheerful, curly-tailed spitz that loves people. Friendly and playful.
Medium · 33–53 lb👪 Great family dogFinnish LapphundA fluffy reindeer-herding dog from Lapland. Gentle, friendly and calm.
Large · 57–84 lb👪 Good family dogBergamasco SheepdogAn Italian flock dog with a unique felted coat. Calm, patient and independent.What makes a dog good in the cold
- Double coat: traps warm air close to the skin.
- Size: bigger dogs hold heat better than tiny ones.
- Furry, tough feet: many northern breeds have fur between their toes.
- Breed history: dogs bred for sledding, herding or guarding in cold climates handle winter best.
Cold-weather breeds aren't right for everyone
Many of the best cold-weather dogs also shed heavily and struggle in hot, humid summers. Huskies and Malamutes also need a lot of exercise. Check each breed's full guide, or take the breed quiz to balance cold tolerance against your space and schedule.
Keeping any dog safe in winter
- Wipe paws after walks. Road salt and de-icers can irritate paws and upset stomachs if licked off.
- Watch for ice balls between toes; trimming paw fur helps.
- Shorten walks on subzero days, especially for small, short-haired or older dogs.
- Use a coat and boots for breeds with thin coats, like Whippets, Dobermans and French Bulldogs.
- Keep antifreeze out of reach. It tastes sweet and is highly poisonous to dogs.
- Know the signs of trouble: shivering, whining, slowing down, or holding up paws mean it's time to head inside.