As the temperatures fall outside and winter weather rolls in, some dogs dread it while other dogs rejoice. Some dog breeds originated in cold weather and wintry conditions, so their bodies and fur are built to handle it. For these dogs, winter weather and cold temperatures are the perfect conditions. Here are a few dog breeds that love winter:

1. Akita

The Akita originated in Japan where it gets very cold and snowy during the winter, especially in the northern regions of the country. This dog breed has a thick undercoat and a tough outer coat that insulates against the cold and keeps them warm. Some facts about Akitas are that they are a symbol of good luck in Japanese culture and are fantastic companions that love winter.

2. Alaskan Malamute

Tough, strong, and so, so fluffy, the Alaskan Malamute was bred to live, work, and thrive in some of the harshest and coldest climates. They are the largest of the Arctic sled dogs. As one of the classic snow dog breeds, they have a dense double coat that keeps them warm when the temperatures fall.

3. American Eskimo Dog

Although the American Eskimo Dog is a small dog breed, they tend to enjoy cold weather. They are a Spitz-type dog breed with a dense double coat that keeps them warm. Some facts about American Eskimo Dogs are that they originated in Germany and are known for their fun-loving nature that makes them a great family companion.

4. Bernese Mountain Dog

One of the facts about Bernese Mountain Dogs is that they are a classic winter dog breed. The Berner originated in Switzerland where they were bred to serve as a drafting and driving dog. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a strong, sturdy dog with a loving, affectionate demeanor and a thick coat that keeps them warm in cold weather.

5. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a medium-sized dog that originated in China. Known for their black tongues and powerful character, the Chow Chow’s thick, warm coat makes them a good fit for colder weather.

Cold temperatures don’t bother them much and they tend to love playing in the snow! These are just a few facts about Chow Chows that make them one of the dog breeds that love winter.

6. Great Pyrenees

This large dog breed originated in the mountains of France where they were used to herd and guard livestock in harsh conditions. The Great Pyrenees is known for its calm elegance and gentle nature. They have a dense, thick double coat that protects them from the cold. They tend to love winter and you can often find them lying, rolling around, or romping in the snow.

7. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is affectionately referred to as a Swissy. They originated in Switzerland where they were used as working dogs. They were even referred to as a “poor man’s horse” because they could be found pulling carts to the market among several other tasks. These dogs were bred to work in cold wintry conditions and their double coat insulates them well when the temperatures drop.

8. Keeshond

The Keeshond is a medium-sized fluffball that originated in Germany. They are known for their friendly nature, high intelligence, and high energy. Plus, they have a double coat with a downy undercoat covered in thick fur that keeps them warm when temperatures start falling. This makes the Keeshond a dog breed that tends to love winter.

9. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a giant dog breed that is built for cold weather. They were originally bred to assist fishermen in icy Canadian waters. Their thick, heavy coat with a water-resistant undercoat insulates them well and keeps them warm when winter sets in. Newfies usually enjoy hanging out in the snow and enjoying some time in the cold.

10. Norwegian Elkhound

This medium-sized dog breed originated in the region that is now Norway. They were bred in a cold climate where they were used for hunting. They have a smooth outer coat, but their wooly undercoat is what insulates them against the cold. The Norwegian Elkhound is a high-energy dog breed that is always ready for adventure, especially in the snow!

11. Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog originated in the United Kingdom and has a super thick, voluminous coat. It takes a lot of care and maintenance, but it also keeps the OE Sheepdog warm in the winter. They can overheat quickly due to their dense coat, so lying around in the snow for a little bit could be a relief. They certainly won’t mind romping around outside for a bit when the temperatures start to fall.

12. Saint Bernard

The classic image of a Saint Bernard is one with a small barrel on their collar plowing through the snow to help find, retrieve, and reinvigorate a lost or trapped traveler. This giant dog breed originated in Switzerland and was commonly used as a working dog as well as a mountain rescue dog.

Some facts about Saint Bernards are that their strength, loyalty, and intelligence plus their thick, insulating coat made them the perfect dog for navigating cold, rugged terrain. Whether working or just playing around in the snow for fun, the Saint Bernard tends to love winter.

13. Samoyed

The Samoyed is a medium-sized dog breed that originated in Siberia. Much like the Siberian Husky, these dogs were bred for hauling heavy loads across the frozen tundra. They are known for their thick, all-white fluffy coat and their “Sammy smile”.

One of the facts about Samoyeds is that their dense, double-layer coat protects them against extreme cold and serves them well during the winter. A Samoyed is likely to enjoy spending time outside in the snow. Depending on how they feel, you may end up waiting a while before they are ready to come back inside!

14. Shiba Inu

One of the facts about Shiba Inu is that they are small dogs that originated in Japan. They are known for their confidence, loyalty, and spirit.

They also have a thick double coat that protects them in the winter. During the cold winter months, you can often find a Shiba Inu playing happily outside whether they are romping around, rolling, or digging in the snow.

15. Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a classic dog breed that loves winter. These sled dog descendants hail from Siberia where they were bred to pull large heavy loads through harsh winter conditions. This dog’s thick, dense coat keeps them warm in arctic conditions. They love playing in the snow – you may even have trouble getting them to come back inside!

16. Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is a large lion-like dog that originated in the Himalayas. Their immense double coat keeps them warm in the winter.

One of the facts about Tibetan Mastiffs is that they love colder weather. Their playful nature often comes out full-force when they get a chance to play in the snow and you may have to bribe them to get them to come back inside.

17. Tibetan Terrier

Also hailing from the mountainous region of Tibet is the Tibetan Terrier. These small dogs were bred to be working dogs and were also highly prized companions that were honored by monks.

One of the facts about Tibetan Terriers is that, although they are small, these dogs are built to withstand harsh, wintry conditions. They even have large, round, and flat feet that act like snowshoes to give them traction in heavy snow. This dog, too, often enjoys spending time romping around or just relaxing in the snow.

There are many dog breeds that love winter and also originated in cold winter climates. As such, they are truly built to withstand and enjoy cold weather and snow. Even though these dog breeds love winter, it’s important to make sure you’re keeping an eye on your dog to make sure they are happy and healthy when they are out playing in the snow and to bring them back inside when they’re ready.