The Inuit Sled Dogs of Canada's North

The Inuit Sled Dogs of Canada's North are incredibly resilient animals, built to withstand the harsh Arctic climate. They have a thick double coat that keeps them warm in temperatures as low as -50°C.

The Inuit people of Canada's North have relied on these dogs for centuries to help them navigate the treacherous terrain and transport goods. They're an essential part of Inuit culture and way of life.

Inuit Sled Dogs are bred specifically for their strength, endurance, and intelligence. They're capable of pulling heavy loads over long distances, often in challenging conditions.

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The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a powerful and athletic breed, built for hard work rather than speed. It has a distinctive appearance, with erect, triangular ears and a heavily feathered tail.

Males are distinctly more masculine than females, with a more powerful physique and a thicker mane of fur around their neck. Females, on the other hand, are finer boned and smaller.

The breed's size varies by sex, with males weighing 30-40 kg (66-88 lb) and standing 58-70 cm (23-28 in) at the shoulder. Females are smaller, weighing 18-30 kg (40-66 lb) and standing 50-60 cm (20-24 in).

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The lineage of dogs in the Americas is a fascinating topic. The first dogs arrived in the Americas 12,000 years ago.

However, it wasn't until the arrival of the Paleo-Eskimo people 4,500 years ago and the Thule people 1,000 years ago that people and their dogs settled in the Arctic. These two groups brought dogs with them from Siberia.

A 2015 study found that the Inuit dogs from Canada and Greenland, also known as the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog, descended from dogs associated with the Thule people. They were relied upon for transportation from Siberia.

The maternal mitochondrial DNA sequences of the Inuit dogs were classified as haplotype A31, indicating a common female ancestor. This haplotype could not be found in other modern dogs.

A 2018 study revealed that all indigenous dogs originally brought by the first wave of human migration into the Americas, termed the "pre-contact dog" (PCD) clade, are now extinct.

A different take: Canadian Eskimo Dog

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a powerful and athletic breed. It should always appear robust and built for hard work, not speed.

Its ears are erect and triangular, a characteristic typical of spitz breeds. This distinctive feature was noted by explorers during the Coppermine Expedition of 1819-1822.

The breed's heavily feathered tail is carried over its back, adding to its impressive appearance. Males are distinctly more masculine than females, who are finer boned and often have a slightly shorter coat.

The coat is very thick and dense, with a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs. This unique coat helps the breed thrive in cold climates.

The Eskimo Dog's mane of thick fur around its neck is quite impressive, especially in males. It adds an illusion of additional size and is smaller in females.

The breed can be almost any color, with no one color or pattern dominating. Solid white dogs, as well as white dogs with patches of another color, are common.

Expand your knowledge: Canadian Eskimo Dog Puppies

When it comes to size, Canadian Eskimo dogs come in a range of weights and heights. Males typically weigh between 30-40 kg (66-88 lb).

The height of males also varies, standing between 58-70 cm (23-28 in) at the shoulder.

Females, on the other hand, are generally smaller, weighing between 18-30 kg (40-66 lb).

Their height also differs from males, with females standing between 50-60 cm (20-24 in) at the shoulder.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog's temperament is a reflection of its original work and environment. It's a loyal and tough breed that's brave and intelligent, with an alert nature that makes it perfect for sled work.

They're affectionate and gentle, developing a deep bond with their owner and being intensely loyal. This loyalty is a result of their history of foraging and hunting for their own food.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs take pure delight in cold weather, often preferring to sleep outside in winter. Some individuals even have a stronger prey drive than other breeds, making them natural hunters.

Like many spitz breeds, they can be very vocal, so be prepared for some noise. But with their loving and gentle nature, it's well worth it.

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Canadian Eskimo Dogs need a lot of exercise, so they're best suited for active owners who can provide them with high-intensity physical activity.

They thrive in cold climates and can't tolerate heat, so it's essential to keep them cool, especially in warmer temperatures.

Their coat is relatively easy to care for, requiring only one or two brushings per week, but be prepared for daily grooming during shedding season.

Historically, Inuit would put their puppies to work at a very young age, even as early as two months old, to help them develop the habit of pulling sleds.

This early socialization and training is crucial for their development and helps them become well-behaved and obedient dogs.

The RCMP dog killings, also known as the qimmiijaqtauniq, were a dark period in Inuit history. Between 1950 and 1970, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police slaughtered Inuit sled dogs, with estimates ranging from 1,200 to 20,000 dogs killed.

The RCMP claimed the killings were for public health purposes, to remove sick, dangerous, and suffering animals. However, their internal investigation in 2005 acknowledged that they rarely followed ordinances and didn't always explain the justification for killings to the Inuit.

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association was not satisfied with the RCMP's report, calling it "biased, flawed and incomplete." They later commissioned their own report, which criticized the RCMP's actions heavily.

In 2019, Canadian Minister Carolyn Bennett apologized to the Inuit of Baffin Island for the slaughter and forced decline of Inuit dogs, as part of a series of apologies for historic abuse and mistreatment. The apology came with a CA$20 million donation to the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.