Ask Dr. Jenn: What Kind of Dog Does Santa Have?

Santa is pretty secretive about his home life. All we really know about him is that he lives at the North Pole and makes toys for children. He is a homebody and only ventures out of the arctic once a year. But a kind-hearted soul like Santa must have a dog to keep him company when he is snowshoeing, chopping firewood, feeding the reindeer, and all the other outdoor activities he does in the off-season.

Santa needs a dog that loves the outdoors, can run through the snow, and can keep warm even on the coldest of days. Many of the dogs in the Spitz category fit this description. Spitz dogs have a thick double coat, a pointed nose, and a tail that curls upward.

A Norwegian Elkhound would be a good breed for Santa. As the name implies, the Norwegian Elkhound hails from Norway and has been described as “the dog of the Vikings”. They have a dense double coat to keep them warm even in the coldest weather. They have a lot of stamina to hike through the deep snow. Their strength and loud bark are useful to scare away any lost polar bears that Santa may encounter.

If Santa wants to use a dog sled to help him travel through the snow, an Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky would be a good choice. Both breeds have thick double coats and a lot of energy. They are very strong and work well as individuals or as a team to pull a sled through the snow. These breeds were often used by mail carriers to make deliveries in the remote areas of the north. Alaskan Malamutes are bigger, with a weight range of 75-85 pounds, whereas huskies are often smaller weighing 35-60 pounds. Santa should be warned, both of these breeds need a lot of attention and exercise. If left alone, they will often howl.

He may have a Samoyed. These dogs have a fluffy white coat that makes them look like a moving snowball. Samoyeds originated in Russia where they were used as sled dogs. They can handle the cold and are very strong but also very friendly.

An American Eskimo dog is similar to the Samoyed, with the appearance of a white cloud of fur. This breed comes in a range of sizes – toy, miniature, and Standard – and has a weight range of 6-40 pounds. They are very agile and have a lot of energy, but don’t have the strength to pull a sled so they are more of companion dogs and not workers.

If Santa wants a smaller dog, he should consider an Alaskan Klei Kai. The Klei Kai looks like a miniature version of the Siberian Husky. However, the Klei Kai is under 25 pounds and may struggle through the deep snow.

The Akita and Chow Chow are also well suited for cold climates, but I would not recommend them for Santa. These dogs require a lot of socialization and training. They are loyal to their people but do not do well with strangers. They can be aggressive and unpredictable if not well trained. Although they make excellent watch dogs, they would struggle to adjust to new Elves at the workshop and may scare the postal workers carrying your letter to Santa. We wouldn’t want Santa to have a dog that has the temperament to get on the naughty list.

While Santa probably has a very active, outdoor dog, I think Mrs. Claus would prefer a much smaller and less active dog. I picture her with a Shih Tzu, Bichon Freise, Poodle, or a small mixed breed dog sleeping quietly at her feet while she makes cookies for the elves. She and Santa sit by the fire at night. He checks his list, and she knits sweaters to keep her little dog warm and looking festive. Although Santa may not want to admit it, he loves her little lap dog just as much as his big strong sled dog.