Northern Inuit Wolf Dog Information and Care

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Posted Oct 27, 2024

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Brown and White Siberian Husky
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The Northern Inuit Wolf Dog is a unique breed that requires special care and attention. They are a hybrid breed, created by crossing a German Shepherd with a Siberian Husky and an Alaskan Malamute.

They are highly energetic dogs that need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. This means daily walks, playtime, and possibly even a run or two.

A Northern Inuit Wolf Dog's diet should be high in protein and fat to match their high energy needs. This can be achieved through a balanced commercial dog food or a homemade diet with ingredients like chicken, beef, and fish.

They are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training. Consistency and patience are key when training a Northern Inuit Wolf Dog.

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Breed Information

The Northern Inuit Wolf Dog is a unique breed, and understanding its breed group can help you better connect with its origins.

If you're curious about your dog's ancestry, you can check out Wisdom Panel's DNA tests, which can help you discover if your dog is indeed a Northern Inuit Dog.

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Credit: youtube.com, Northern Inuit Dog - Facts and Information

The breed group is a key aspect of understanding your dog's characteristics and traits.

The Northern Inuit Wolf Dog is a breed that can be identified through DNA testing, which can provide valuable insights into its ancestry.

If you're interested in learning more about your dog's breed group, consider taking a DNA test to uncover its secrets.

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Physical Characteristics

The Northern Inuit wolf dog has a unique set of physical characteristics that set it apart from other breeds. Their skulls are slightly domed, with strong muzzles and flat cheeks.

Their ears are triangular-shaped and relatively wide apart, standing erect rather than flopping forwards. Oval eyes come in a variety of colors, including yellow, amber, brown, and blue.

The Northern Inuit's coat is a thick, double layer that's perfect for withstanding harsh weather conditions. It's around 3-5 centimeters long on the body and longer on the ruff and breeches.

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Size

Northern Inuit Dogs are considered medium-to-large, with males being significantly larger than females. Males can reach a height of 23 to 32 inches and weigh between 79 to 110 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, with a height of 23 to 28 inches and a weight of 55 to 84 pounds. Some dogs may be smaller or larger than average for their breed.

Appearance

Credit: youtube.com, PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The Northern Inuit Dog's appearance is quite impressive. They are a medium to large-sized dog, with females reaching heights of 59-71cms and males standing noticeably taller at around 64-81cms.

Their athletic build is a testament to their origins as a working dog. Their coat is plush and thick, measuring about 4cms in length, and is a weather-proof double coat that's perfect for cooler temperatures.

Their head is well-proportioned, with their muzzle the same length as their skull. Their ears are erect and relatively wide apart, adding to their distinctive look.

Their oval eyes come in various colors, including yellow, amber, brown, and blue. Their tails are bushy and straight, never curly like a Malamute or Spitz.

They should be slightly taller than they are long, and their weights range from 25-38kgs for females and 36-48kgs for males. Their coat color varies and may be pure white, sable, grey, apricot, black, or varying shades in between.

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Health and Care

Credit: youtube.com, All About Northern Inuit Dogs: How are these puppies?

Northern Inuit wolf dogs are generally healthy animals with a long lifespan for their size. They can live up to 12 to 15 years with proper care.

Hip or elbow dysplasia is a condition that can affect Northern Inuit dogs, causing discomfort and reduced mobility. Regular veterinary checkups can help identify this issue early on.

Northern Inuit dogs require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition. They should be brushed several times a week to prevent matting and tangling.

To maintain good dental health, Northern Inuit dogs need their teeth brushed a few times a week. This can help prevent dental problems and keep their breath fresh.

Northern Inuit dogs are high-energy animals that require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They need at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily, including long walks and playtime.

Health

Northern Inuit Dogs are generally healthy animals with a long life span for their size, typically living between 12 to 15 years.

Adultybrown and White Siberian Husky
Credit: pexels.com, Adultybrown and White Siberian Husky

Hip or Elbow Dysplasia is a common condition that can cause discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility due to abnormal development of the hip or elbow joints.

Regular veterinary checkups are crucial to maintain good care and catch any potential health issues early on.

Cryptorchidism, or retained testicles, is a condition that can be reduced through responsible breeding practices.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder that can cause hind limb weakness and eventual paralysis, and some Northern Inuit Dogs may be carriers of this debilitating disease.

Hip scoring and elbow scoring, as well as eye testing, are mandatory parts of the Northern Inuit Society's breeding program, which is a great example of responsible breeding practices.

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Care

Northern Inuit Dogs require regular veterinary checkups to monitor their health and catch any potential issues early on.

Their life span can range from 12 to 15 years, making them a long-lived breed.

Hip or Elbow Dysplasia is a common condition that can cause discomfort, pain, and reduced mobility in Northern Inuit Dogs.

Wolf
Credit: pexels.com, Wolf

Cryptorchidism, or retained testicles, is another condition that can occur in this breed.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder that can lead to hind limb weakness and eventual paralysis.

Northern Inuit Dogs need regular nail trims, which can range from once to twice a month, to prevent pain and potential problems.

Their ears should be checked weekly for redness or irritation.

Brushing their teeth a few times a week is essential for promoting good dental health.

Northern Inuit Dogs have very high energy levels and require at least 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily.

They benefit from one-on-one bonding with their owners, which can keep them happy and healthy.

Their double coat is dense, coarse, and waterproof, but they don't need to be bathed often unless they get dirty.

Their fur should be brushed two to three times a week to prevent shedding.

Northern Inuit Dogs are best suited for cooler temperatures and can tolerate warm temperatures up to the low 70s Fahrenheit.

Their fur has a natural oil that helps it stay waterproof, but they may shed more than average dogs.

Nutrition

Gray and White Wolf
Credit: pexels.com, Gray and White Wolf

Northern Inuit Dogs are prone to sensitive stomachs, so it's essential to find a high-quality food that agrees with them.

A good starting point is to consult with your veterinarian, as they can help you determine the best diet for your individual dog's needs.

They thrive on a high-quality food formulated for their life stage, whether that's puppy, adult, or senior.

To avoid overfeeding, it's crucial to measure portions carefully, as Northern Inuits can be prone to weight issues if they eat too much.

Limiting treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories is also a good rule of thumb to keep them at a healthy weight.

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Character and Temperament

Northern Inuit Dogs are very friendly and loyal, and they're much more likely to make friends with strangers than to be good guard dogs.

They're great family pets, especially if you can train and socialize them early, but they do require a strong pack leader to establish house rules and keep them in check.

Credit: youtube.com, THE NORTHERN INUIT - THE WOLF WITHOUT WOLF - Game of Thrones Direwolf

Northern Inuit Dogs have a tendency to howl more than bark, which can be addressed with early training, and they're very intelligent, intuitive, and active, so they thrive with lots of time outside.

They need daily walks and playtime, and as long as they're getting enough exercise, they'll also be happy relaxing with family indoors.

These dogs are playful and social creatures, so the more interaction for them, the better, but they don't do well when left alone long periods of time, and they may suffer separation anxiety.

Crate training can be a helpful tool to keep your dog calm and safe when home alone, and regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for early detection and treatment of any potential health issues.

Northern Inuit Dogs are prone to separation anxiety, and they may turn to destructive behaviors if left by themselves for long periods, so it's essential to provide them with plenty of attention and interaction.

They have a great respect for the 'alpha' or more dominant owner, and they form strong bonds early on in the relationship, but they're generally overly-trusting of people they don't know, making them substandard guard dogs.

Interactions with children should always be supervised due to their size and strength, and howling is an instinctive behavior within this breed, so it's essential to consider this before acquiring a Northern Inuit Dog, especially if you have neighbors nearby.

Training and Exercise

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Northern Inuit wolf dogs are highly intelligent and independent thinkers that require consistent and firm training techniques. They can become bored and impatient easily, so short and varied training activities are best.

They need a patient and understanding owner who is willing to put in the time to bring them to their full potential. This breed is strong-willed and has a mind of their own.

Daily exercise is a must for Northern Inuit wolf dogs, and they seem to enjoy long walks and hikes with their people. They also do well in dog sports like agility, rally, and competitive obedience.

A large, secure outdoor space is essential for this breed, where they can roam and get the physical and mental stimulation they need. Failure to provide adequate exercise will likely result in nuisance behaviors.

Early socialization is key to helping your pup grow into a well-mannered adult dog. This breed can be overly sensitive, so gentle and consistent training is a must.

Trainers must work hard to keep training sessions fresh and fun, as these dogs can easily become distracted and are not likely to follow instructions when not interested.

History and Rescue

Credit: youtube.com, Marcus Rescue Northern Inuit looking for a new home

The Northern Inuit Dog is a relatively new breed, developed in the 1970s and 80s by breeders who wanted to create a dog that resembled a wolf but had a friendly temperament.

The breed was created by crossing dogs of unknown origin with breeds such as the Malamute, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd.

In the 1980s, breeders imported several dogs from North America to Britain with the goal of creating a wolf-like dog that was also a family pet.

The Northern Inuit Society has its own rescue set up, and you may also try Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue, which rehoms "wolfdogs", including Northern Inuit Dogs and other wolf-like pups.

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About and History

The Northern Inuit Dog is a relatively new breed, developed in the 1970s and 80s to resemble a wolf but with a domesticated temperament.

They were bred by crossing various dog breeds, including the Malamute, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd, with the goal of creating a loyal and friendly family pet.

Brown Wolf
Credit: pexels.com, Brown Wolf

The Northern Inuit Dog's exact origin is a subject of debate, with two prevailing stories suggesting they were developed by Eddie Harrison in the 1980s or by breeding Canadian Eskimo Dogs and Labrador Huskies in the 1970s.

Despite their wolf-like appearance, Northern Inuit Dogs do not possess any wolf DNA.

The breed was popularized after appearing as "direwolves" in the TV series Game of Thrones, and their loyal nature has made them a sought-after pet.

Today, Northern Inuit breeders can be found in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, the United States, and Switzerland, with the breed recognized by its own independent kennel clubs, the Northern Inuit Society and the Northern Inuit Society of America.

Rescue Groups

If you're looking to adopt a Northern Inuit Dog, there are rescue groups that can help. The Northern Inuit Society has its own rescue set up to rehome Northern Inuit Dogs.

Unfortunately, some Northern Inuit Dogs end up in shelters due to their unique challenges. Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue is one such organization that specializes in rehoming "wolfdogs", including Northern Inuit Dogs and other wolf-like pups.

Famous

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The Northern Inuit Dog has a fascinating claim to fame. Members of the breed were selected by the Northern Inuit Society to play both the puppy and adult Direwolves in the TV series Game of Thrones.

Their popularity increased significantly after the show aired, with many people seeking out their own personal Direwolves.

Overview

The Northern Inuit Wolf Dog is a breed that's hard to ignore with its striking wolf-like appearance. They have a thick double coat, erect ears, and a bushy tail that makes them a standout in any pack.

Their origins are fascinating, as they were developed in the United Kingdom by crossing various northern dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and German Shepherd. This deliberate breeding aimed to create a dog that resembles a wolf while maintaining a gentle and trainable temperament.

These dogs are known for being friendly, loyal, and sociable, making them well-suited as companions and family pets. They're also highly intelligent and responsive to training, which makes them adaptable to various roles.

Credit: youtube.com, Pawfect Facts About The Northern Inuit Dog Kids Will Love

One thing to keep in mind is that Northern Inuit Wolf Dogs have strong pack instincts and thrive on companionship. They may not do well when left alone for extended periods, so it's essential to provide them with ample attention and companionship from their owners.

Here are some key characteristics of the Northern Inuit Wolf Dog breed:

  • Wolf-like appearance with a thick double coat, erect ears, and a bushy tail
  • Intelligent and responsive to training
  • Friendly, loyal, and sociable
  • Good with children and other pets when properly socialized
  • Strong pack instincts and require companionship

Frequently Asked Questions

Is northern inuit dog part wolf?

No, Northern Inuit Dogs are not part wolf, but were bred to resemble wolves with a mix of Malamute, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd ancestry

Do northern inuit dog bark?

Northern Inuit dogs rarely bark, instead making howl-like noises to communicate with their owners. Their friendly nature makes barking less necessary for them.

Robin Morissette

Writer

Robin Morissette is a versatile and engaging writer with a passion for crafting compelling content. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, Robin brings a unique perspective to their writing. Their portfolio showcases a range of topics, from in-depth explorations of the Havanese breed, to informative articles on canine origins.

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