Canadian Eskimo Dogs

Breed Type: Arctic breed of dog

Weight: Males: 30-40 kg (66-88 lb); Females: 18-30 kg (40-66 lb)

Height: Males: 58-70 cm (23-28 in); Females: 50-60 cm (19 ½ -23 ½ in)

Coat Type: Double coat, with coarse guard hairs

 

Canadian Eskimo Dog breed is known for its versatile nature and was initially used for the purpose of packing and hauling sleds. Apart from this, these dogs were also used for the purpose of hunting and also served as a protector to keep certain breeds of animals like the polar bear at bay. The Canadian Eskimos were particularly used by the Thule Inuit people who migrated to the Arctic region of the country. The peculiar characteristic of this breed is that it is able to survive the harshest of the terrains in the world. It was this that led to the gradual popularization and usage for expedition purpose during the late 1800s and the early part of the 1900s.

 

Canadian Eskimo dog first appeared during the years 1100-1200 A.D. and was originally called the “Qimmiq”. It is estimated that during the 1950s, there were around 20,000 Canadian Eskimo Dogs in the northern zone of Canada. However, there was a drastic drop in their number during the 1960s when the snowmobile gained popularity among the masses. The number further declined due to cross breeding and exposure to illness particularly when other breeds of dogs were introduced in these parts. In fact, the breed was almost on the verge of extinction during the 1970s with only an estimated number of 200 in the North. Finally during the year 1972, William Carpenter and John McGrath with assistance from the Canadian Kennel Club and the Canadian Government started a project which led to the foundation of the Canadian Eskimo Dog Research Foundation Kennel Club.

 

Powerful, athletic and strong – these are the words that get registered in one’s mind while looking at the Canadian Eskimo Dog. The structural framework of the dog sends a clear message that the breed is build for hard work and not for speed or agility. Females have a leaner and finer bone structure as compared to the males who are more masculine. They have erect, triangular ears with a tail that is heavily feathered all along its length. The breed has a thick and dense overcoat with a soft coat underneath. A mane of thick fur gives the false impression of added size, much smaller in the females though.

 

An intelligent, loyal, alert and tough breed; the Canadian Eskimo Dog's have been a favorite among the masses since a long time. The animal is also known for its loyal nature and develops a strong connection with its owner. They prefer cold weather conditions and often like to sleep outdoor during cold weather. The breed is also quite vocal in nature. The Canadian Eskimo dog is very active breed and prefers high intensity exercise and outdoor training. This inherent desire to work makes them very suitable for dog sports like skijoring and carting. Moreover, their high levels of intelligence and submissive nature makes it very easy to train them.

 

Taking care of the breed is a fairly easy task and all it requires to keep their coats well maintained is to brush it at least once or twice a week. However, during the shedding season the dog requires regular grooming.