Canadian Eskimo
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is an Arctic breed of working dog (Canis lupus familiaris), which is often considered to be one of North America's oldest and rarest remaining purebred indigenous domestic canines. Other names include qimmiq or qimmit[7] (Inuit language word for "dog"). Although once used as the preferred method of transportation by Inuit in the Canadian Arctic, traditional working dog teams became increasingly rare in the North after the 1960s. This is often cited a result of snowmobiles becoming more popular, however it may also be the result of the alleged organized and systematic mass slaughter of Inuit sled dogs in the Eastern Arctic between 1950 and 1970 by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Appearance
The Canadian Eskimo Dog should always be powerfully built, athletic, and imposing in appearance. It should be of "powerful physique giving the impression that he is not built for speed but rather for hard work." As is typical of spitz breeds, it has erect, triangular ears, and a heavily feathered tail that is carried over its back. Males should be distinctly more masculine than females, who are finer boned, smaller, and often have a slightly shorter coat. Its superficial similarity to wolves was often noted by explorers during the Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822. They noted that the ears of the Eskimo dogs they encountered were similar to those of American wolves, and their forelegs lacked the black mark above the wrist characteristic of European wolves. The most sure way to distinguish the two species was said to be through the length and posture of the tail, which was shorter and more curved in the dog.
Coat and colour
The coat is very thick and dense, with a soft undercoat and stiff, coarse guard hairs. The Eskimo Dog has a mane of thick fur around its neck, which is quite impressive in the males and adds an illusion of additional size. This mane is smaller in females. Eskimo Dogs can be almost any colour, and no one colour or colour pattern should dominate. Solid white dogs are often seen, as well as white dogs with patches of another colour on the head or both body and head. Solid silver or black coloured dogs are common as well. Many of the solid coloured dogs have white mask-like markings on the face, sometimes with spots over the eyes. Others might have white socks and nose stripes with no eye spots or mask.
Appearance
The Canadian Eskimo Dog should always be powerfully built, athletic, and imposing in appearance. It should be of "powerful physique giving the impression that he is not built for speed but rather for hard work." As is typical of spitz breeds, it has erect, triangular ears, and a heavily feathered tail that is carried over its back. Males should be distinctly more masculine than females, who are finer boned, smaller, and often have a slightly shorter coat. Its superficial similarity to wolves was often noted by explorers during the Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822. They noted that the ears of the Eskimo dogs they encountered were similar to those of American wolves, and their forelegs lacked the black mark above the wrist characteristic of European wolves. The most sure way to distinguish the two species was said to be through the length and posture of the tail, which was shorter and more curved in the dog.
Coat and colour
The coat is very thick and dense, with a soft undercoat and stiff, coarse guard hairs. The Eskimo Dog has a mane of thick fur around its neck, which is quite impressive in the males and adds an illusion of additional size. This mane is smaller in females. Eskimo Dogs can be almost any colour, and no one colour or colour pattern should dominate. Solid white dogs are often seen, as well as white dogs with patches of another colour on the head or both body and head. Solid silver or black coloured dogs are common as well. Many of the solid coloured dogs have white mask-like markings on the face, sometimes with spots over the eyes. Others might have white socks and nose stripes with no eye spots or mask.
Temperament
The Canadian Eskimo Dog's temperament reflects its original work and environment. It is loyal, tough, brave, intelligent, and alert. It is affectionate and gentle, and develops a deep bond with its owner and is intensely loyal. When used as sled dogs, they were often required to forage and hunt for their own food. Consequently, many Canadian Eskimo Dogs have stronger prey drive than some other breeds. Owing to their original environment, they take pure delight in cold weather, often preferring to sleep outside in cold climates. Like most spitz breeds they can be very vocal. Care and training Canadian Eskimo Dogs need a very large amount of exercise. They cannot just be walked, they need higher intensity work, requiring more exercise than many dog owners can give. This need for work and stimulation also makes them well suited for dog sports, such as carting, mushing, and skijoring. They are very trainable and submissive, unlike many spitz breeds, as well as intelligent. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is best kept in a cold climate, and is prone to heatstroke. Its coat is fairly easy to care for most times of the year, needing brushing only one or two times a week. However when it sheds (which happens once a year) it will need grooming every day. Historically, Inuit would put their dogs to the harness as soon as they could walk, and would acquire the habit of pulling sledges in their attempts to break free. At the age of two months, the pups would be placed with adult dogs. Sometimes, ten pups would be put under the lead of an older animal, coupled with frequent beatings from their masters, which would educate the pups. History The Canadian Eskimo Dog is known to have been resident in the Arctic for at least 4,000 years. The Canadian Eskimo Dog was first bred by the Thule people, while research has shown that it is related to the Greenland Dog, with very little significant genetic differences. It is sometimes considered the same breed by authorities, although the Greenland Dog can be criticized for lacking any proper breeding program, questioning its validity as a pure breed. Inuit never considered the dog as part of the animal kingdom (uumajuit), but merely as a tool for human existence. It was, and still is (to a very limited extent), used by the Canadian Inuit as multi-purpose dogs, often put to work hunting seals and other Arctic game, and hauling supplies and people. Explorers noted that the dogs were capable of tracking a seal hole from a great distance, and were occasionally used to hunt polar bears. The dogs were reported to be so enthusiastic in hunting bears that, sometimes, their handlers shouted "nanuq" (Inuktitut name for the bear) to encourage them when pulling sledges. The dogs however would not pursue wolves, and would howl fearfully at their approach. Frozen dog urine was used by Inuit as a medicine, and their fur was more prized than that of wolves, due to its greater resistance to wear. In times of famine, the dogs would be used as an emergency food source. Though once assumed to be a tamed wolf or wolf-dog hybrid by explorers, including Charles Darwin due to similarities in appearance and vocalisations, genetic testing has shown that the Eskimo dog has no recent wolf ancestry. Exercise Canadian Eskimo Dogs extremely agile and athletic dog with high amounts of energy, thus requiring a considerable amount of exercise. They are ideal outdoor companions for those inclined to enjoy outdoor winter activities. Barking Canadian Eskimo dogs can be a somewhat vocal breed and some have a natural propensity to barking if left isolated and unattended and to release pent up energy and tension. Other Health Concerns Being a large deep chested breed, Canadian Eskimo dogs are also susceptible to bloat, also known Gastric Torsion or Gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV). This is a condition that occurs in large deep chested breeds and is caused by the twisting or stretching of the stomach due excessive gas content. It is a painful and often fatal condition. It is a medical emergency and immediate veterinary medical care is required. |
Housing
Given their arctic heritage, the Canadian Eskimo Dog adapts well to living outdoors as long as adequate shelter is provided. They are also adaptable to living indoors as a house dog, provided they have plenty of outdoor time as well. Their dense coats and arctic heritage make them less suitable for year round hot climates. Given their heritage of running, a fence yard is a must to revent roaming, however, behavioral problems can occur such as digging and barking if they are left isolated and alone in the back yard.
Given their arctic heritage, the Canadian Eskimo Dog adapts well to living outdoors as long as adequate shelter is provided. They are also adaptable to living indoors as a house dog, provided they have plenty of outdoor time as well. Their dense coats and arctic heritage make them less suitable for year round hot climates. Given their heritage of running, a fence yard is a must to revent roaming, however, behavioral problems can occur such as digging and barking if they are left isolated and alone in the back yard.
Other names - Canadian Inuit Dog, Qimmiq, Esquimaux Dog, Exquimaux Husky, Kingmik
Country of origin - Canada
Weight - Male 30–40 kg (66–88 lb), Female 18–30 kg (40–66 lb)
Height - Male 58–70 cm (23–28 in), Female 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
Coat - thick and dense, soft undercoat, stiff guard hairs, mane of thicker fur around the neck
Colour - about any colour, with or without special markings
Country of origin - Canada
Weight - Male 30–40 kg (66–88 lb), Female 18–30 kg (40–66 lb)
Height - Male 58–70 cm (23–28 in), Female 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
Coat - thick and dense, soft undercoat, stiff guard hairs, mane of thicker fur around the neck
Colour - about any colour, with or without special markings