As the Olympics in Sochi start today, we’ve been imagining what the Winter games would be like if dogs were the athletes! Below are our top six picks for canine competitors and the sports they would excel most at.

Alaskan Malamute –  Dog Skijoring
A native of America, this dog was bred by the Mahlemut tribe of western Alaska. Malamute’s are known for their endurance and ability to haul large amounts of freight. Because of their endurance skills and strength, Alaskan Malamute’s would excel at Dog Skijoring, a sport that combines animal and human athletic prowess.  In Dog Skijoring, a dog pulls a cross-country skier through a snow course without the aid of reins or signaling devices which would allow the human to guide the dog.

Bernese Mountain Dog – Speed Riding
This Swiss dog was bred to be a working dog, used on farms to move dairy cows up a mountain into alpine pastures. Bernese Mountain Dogs, with their mountaineering skills, would excel at Speed Riding, a winter sport that uses parachutes to fly quickly down steep mountain terrain.

German Shepherd – Curling
Bred to herd and tend to flocks of sheep, German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, obedience, trainability and strength. German Shepherds would take the gold for curling, a sport that requires great skill to slide a heavy granite stone across ice to a target.

Keeshond – Ski Jumping
This breed, originally bred in the Netherlands, has a friendly disposition and a big, bright smile. With a small size, snappy reflexes and great jumping agility, we think Keeshond’s would medal in Ski Jumping with their aerodynamic shape.

Newfoundland – Ice Hockey
These gentle giants are known best as rescue dogs. Bred in Canada to be working dogs for fishermen, Newfoundland’s excel at tasks that require their strength and intelligence combined.  The Newfoundland would take the gold in Ice Hockey by dominating the rink with their large size and utilizing a winning strategy!

Siberian Husky – Snowshoeing
Siberian Huskies were bred to pull heavy loads across long distances through harsh and snowy weather. Huskies have an amazing ability to retain their strength and resilience during long working days. These skills would take the top podium for snowshoeing, a sport that requires competitors to cover long distances as fast as possible!