| The Canadian Eskimo Dog, otherwise known as | | | | breeds, as well as intelligent. The Canadian |
| the Qimmiq (Inuit for "dog") or what is | | | | Eskimo Dog is best kept in a cold climate, |
| considered to be the more politically correct | | | | and is prone to heatstroke. Its coat is |
| Canadian Inuit Dog, is a larger breed of | | | | fairly easy to care for most times of the |
| Arctic dog commonly found pulling sleds for | | | | year, needing brushing only one or two times |
| their Inuit counterparts. However, as | | | | a week. However when it sheds (which happens |
| snowmobiles tend to be faster and more | | | | once a year) it will need grooming every day. |
| efficient, the Canadian Eskimo Dog is now a | | | | |
| rare breed. | | | | History |
| | | | |
| Appearance | | | | The Canadian Eskimo Dog is generally |
| | | | considered to be a very old dog breed, |
| The Canadian Eskimo Dog should always be | | | | possibly as old as over 1,000 years. It was |
| powerfully built, athletic, and imposing in | | | | first bred by the Thule people. Therefore it |
| appearance. It should be of "powerful | | | | is related to the Greenland Dog, so much so |
| physique giving the impression that he is not | | | | that some authorities consider them the same |
| built for speed but rather for hard work" | | | | breed. It was, and still is (to a very |
| [1]. As is typical of spitz breeds, it has | | | | limited extent), used by the Canadian Inuit |
| erect, triangular ears, and a heavily | | | | as multi-purpose dogs, often put to work |
| feathered tail that is carried over its back. | | | | hunting seals and other arctic game, and |
| Males should be distinctly more masculine | | | | hauling supplies and people. |
| than females, who are finer boned, smaller, | | | | |
| and often have a slightly shorter coat. | | | | In the 1800s and early 1900s this breed was |
| | | | in demand for polar expeditions. When |
| Coat and colour | | | | snowmobiles came into use the population |
| | | | numbers started rapidly declining, because |
| The coat is very thick and dense, with a | | | | snowmobiles are faster and need less care. In |
| slightly soft undercoat, and stiff, hard | | | | the 1950s there were approximately 20,000 |
| guard hairs. It has a mane of fur around its | | | | dogs living in the Canadian Arctic, and had |
| neck, which is smaller in females. They can | | | | been accepted for showing by both the AKC and |
| be almost any colour, except brindle, solid | | | | CKC, however in 1959 the AKC dropped the |
| fawn, or only black. White with patches of | | | | breed from its registry because of extremely |
| another colour on the head is the most common | | | | low numbers. By 1963 there was supposedly |
| colour. Its coat may be pure white, but | | | | only one dog registered with the CKC, and |
| cannot be albino. | | | | when this dog died there were still no others |
| | | | registered. |
| Temperament | | | | |
| | | | It probably would have gone extinct if not |
| The Canadian Eskimo Dog's temperament | | | | for the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation |
| reflects its original work and environment. | | | | (EDRF). The EDRF was founded in 1972 by |
| It is tough, intelligent, and alert. It is | | | | William Carpenter and John McGrath and was |
| affectionate and gentle, and developes a deep | | | | largely funded by the Canadian Government and |
| bond with its owner and is intensely loyal. | | | | the Northwest Territories, with some support |
| Canadian Eskimo Dogs are best suited as | | | | from the CKC. The EDRF purchased dogs from |
| companions for adults, rather than children, | | | | the small (about 200 dogs) population |
| as it can be over-excitable. Owing to their | | | | remaining in the Canadian arctic from remote |
| original environment, they take pure delight | | | | Inuit camps on Baffin Island, Boothia |
| in cold weather, often preferring to sleep | | | | Peninsula, and Melville Peninsula. The EDRF |
| outside in cold climates. Like most spitz | | | | then began breeding dogs in order to increase |
| breeds they can be very vocal. | | | | numbers. |
| | | | |
| Care | | | | The Canadian Eskimo Dog is still very rare, |
| | | | however it is becoming more popular in arctic |
| Canadian Eskimo Dogs need a very large amount | | | | tourism, with an increasing number of sled |
| of exercise. They cannot just be walked, they | | | | dog teams that serve tourists. This newfound |
| need higher intensity work, requiring more | | | | popularity is because tourists often enjoy |
| exercise than many dog owners can give. This | | | | seeing the dogs in their natural environment |
| need for work and stimulation also makes them | | | | doing what they are meant for. In 2001 the |
| well suited for dog sports, such as carting, | | | | Canadian Eskimo Dog became the official |
| mushing, and skijoring. They are very | | | | provincial dog for Nunavut. |
| trainable and submissive, unlike many spitz | | | | |