Northern Inuit puppies are a rare and unique breed, originating from the 1980s in the UK. They were developed by crossing the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Shepherd.
Their large size and muscular build make them a sturdy and athletic breed. They typically weigh between 55-90 pounds and stand between 24-28 inches tall.
Northern Inuit puppies are intelligent and easy to train, but they can be strong-willed at times. Consistent and positive reinforcement training is recommended to bring out their best qualities.
Their thick double coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
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Quick Facts
Northern Inuit puppies are a joy to have around, and here are some quick facts to get you started:
The Northern Inuit Dog originated in the United Kingdom, which is a great place to start when researching this breed.
Males typically stand between 23-32 inches tall, while females are slightly shorter, ranging from 23-28 inches.
You can expect your Northern Inuit puppy to weigh between 79-110 pounds as an adult, depending on their sex.
Their coat is a thick double coat with a slightly coarse texture, which requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
These puppies come in a variety of colors, including white, black, grey, sable, apricot, and mixes of those colors.
Their intelligence and strong will make training a challenge, but with patience and consistency, they'll thrive.
With a high activity level, Northern Inuit puppies need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy.
On average, you can expect your Northern Inuit puppy to live for 10-13 years with proper care.
Here's a quick rundown of the breed's characteristics:
Breed Characteristics
The Northern Inuit Dog is a breed that's all about balance and proportion. Their height is quite specific, with bitches ranging from 23 to 28 inches (59 to 71 cm) and dogs from 25 to 30 inches (64 to 76 cm).
Their head is not too broad, with a slightly domed skull and a muzzle that's equal in length to the skull. The muzzle is strong and gently tapering, with a flat cheek and a black nose. A 'snow nose' is also permitted.
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Their ears are fairly wide apart but not low set, carried erect and not too large. Their eyes are oval and set at a slightly oblique angle, with any color permitted.
A strong and muscular neck is essential for this breed, with a well-defined nape. Their forequarters are well-structured, with flat shoulders and moderately angulated upper arms. Their elbows fit close to the chest, which should not be too broad or drop below the elbow.
Their body is level-topped, with long ribs that give the breed its overall proportions of height to length as 10-9. Their loin is short and deep, with no exaggerated tuck up. Their croup is broad and fairly short, but not steep.
Their hindquarters are well-angulated, with broad, muscular thighs that carry the strength through to the second thigh. Their hocks are short and perpendicular to the ground, upright when viewed from the rear.
The Northern Inuit Dog has a dense, waterproof double coat that's slightly coarse in texture. Their body coat is 3-5 cm long, longer on the ruff and breechings. Their tail is bushy and a smooth continuation of the croup.
Their gait is far-reaching, covering the ground with an easy stride. Overall balance is more important than size, but the breed does have specific height ranges for bitches and dogs.
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Care and Feeding
Northern Inuit puppies require regular nail trimming, which can be done as often as once to twice a month. It's essential to check their ears for redness or irritation about once a week to prevent any issues.
Brushing their teeth a few times a week is also crucial for promoting good dental health. Your veterinarian can show you how to do this properly.
Northern Inuit puppies are high-energy dogs that need at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily, which can include one long walk or two shorter walks. Additional playtime and activities like agility training are also recommended to stimulate their minds and bodies.
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Health Needs
Northern Inuit Dogs are generally healthy animals, but they can be prone to a few medical issues. Regular veterinary checkups are crucial to maintaining their good health.
Their lifespan is rather long for their size, which is a wonderful thing. However, this doesn't mean they're completely immune to health problems.
Some Northern Inuit Dogs may encounter Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, which causes discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility. This is a condition where the hip or elbow joints develop abnormally.
Cryptorchidism, also known as Retained Testicles, is another potential issue, where one or both testicles don't descend into the scrotum. Breeders actively work to reduce this trait through responsible breeding.
Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder that can cause hind limb weakness and eventual paralysis. It's essential to be aware of these potential health issues to provide the best care for your Northern Inuit Dog.
Feeding
An ideal Northern Inuit Dog diet should be formulated for a medium- to large-sized breed with high energy.
Their dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations about your Northern Inuit Dog's diet.
You should be aware that Northern Inuit Dogs can be prone to sensitive stomachs, so you'll want to choose a diet that's gentle on their tummies.
Northern Inuit Dogs may also benefit from taking a swim every so often, if at all possible.
Training and Behavior
Northern Inuit puppies are highly intelligent and active, so they thrive with lots of time outside, including walks and playtime every day.
They're also very intuitive, which means they pick up on authority and boundaries quickly, especially if they're trained and socialized early.
As long as they're getting enough exercise, they'll be happy relaxing with family indoors, but they do need plenty of interaction and attention to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
Northern Inuit Dogs can be prone to howling, but this can be addressed with early training.
Characteristics & Training
Northern Inuit Dogs are very intelligent and intuitive, making them a joy to train with the right approach. They thrive with lots of time outside, including walks and playtime every day.
They're not recommended for first-time dog parents due to the higher challenge of training them, but with early socialization and training, they can learn to respect authority and become loyal companions.
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Early training is key to addressing their tendency to howl more than bark, and to helping them develop good manners. With consistent training, they can learn to be well-behaved and obedient.
Northern Inuit Dogs need regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. As long as they're getting enough physical activity, they'll also be happy relaxing with family indoors.
They're social creatures that do best in households where someone is home most of the day or where they have a canine companion to keep them company. Leaving them alone for long periods of time can lead to separation anxiety and other behavioral issues.
Children and Pets
Northern Inuit Dogs are great family dogs, loyal, friendly, and playful. They usually get along very well with children.
Supervision is recommended with young kids because Northern Inuit Dogs have high energy and are on the larger side. It's also essential for children to learn how to interact properly with their dogs.
Northern Inuit Dogs can get lonely if left by themselves for a long time, so getting a canine pal might be a great idea.
History and Rescue
The Northern Inuit Dog has a unique history that sets it apart from other breeds. It's a hybrid breed, created by crossing different breeds to achieve a wolf-like appearance.
The Northern Inuit Society (NIS) is working towards getting the breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, but for now, they're bred only with other Northern Inuit Dogs, making them quite distinctive.
The breed's popularity has risen significantly, especially after its appearance in HBO's Game of Thrones as "direwolves".
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History
The Northern Inuit Dog has a unique history, with two possible origin stories that may be true. The breed was developed to be as wolf-like as possible, which was a popular desire in the 1970s and 80s.
The Northern Inuit Society claims to breed them only with dogs of the same hybrid breed, making the modern Northern Inuit distinct. They're working towards recognition as a purebred breed with the American Kennel Club.
Most other mixed breeds are still bred from their purebred parents, but not the Northern Inuit Dog. This makes them an unusual case in the world of dog breeding.
Their wolf-like appearance has made them a popular choice, especially since their appearance in HBO's Game of Thrones as "direwolves". Their loyal and friendly nature makes them well-suited for family home life.
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Rescue Groups
If you're considering adopting a Northern Inuit Dog, it's essential to be aware of the challenges they can bring. Some dogs may end up in shelters and rescues due to this lack of understanding.
The Northern Inuit Society has its own rescue set up for Northern Inuit Dogs. They're a great resource if you're looking to adopt.
Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue is another option to consider. They have a mission to rehome "wolfdogs", including Northern Inuit Dogs and other wolf-like pups.
General Information
The Northern Inuit Dog is a striking breed known for its wolf-like appearance.
Originally developed in the United Kingdom during the late 20th century, the Northern Inuit Dog was created by crossing various northern dog breeds.
This breed typically has a thick double coat, erect ears, and a bushy tail, all contributing to its wolf-like appearance.
They are often good with children and other pets when properly socialized from an early age.
Due to their strong pack instincts, these dogs thrive on companionship and may not do well when left alone for extended periods.
The Northern Inuit Dog is intelligent, responsive to training, and enjoys being part of a pack or family.
Their versatility is showcased in various roles, including therapy work, search and rescue, and as loving family pets for those who can provide the time and attention these intelligent and loyal dogs require.
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Sources
- Northern Inuit Society (nisociety.com)
- Northern Inuit Dogs (dogzone.com)
- rescue (nisociety.com)
- Northern Inuit Society (nisociety.com)
- Northern Inuit Breed Standard | mtnmyst (mountainmystnortherninuits.com)
- Characteristics & Training - Northern Inuits (northerninuitbreed.com)
- Honiahaka Northern Inuits (honiahaka-northern-inuits.com)
- Northern Inuit Dog (petguide.com)
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