While friendly to people, the Canadian Eskimo dog can be aggressive and challenging. Given its pack behavior, it does not interact well with other dogs.
With the advent of the snowmobile, the Canadian Eskimo breed declined in the late 1960s, nearly disappearing.
Size:
Weight Range:
Male: 65-105 lbs.
Female: 60-95 lbs.
Height at Withers:
Male: 37 in.
Female: 24 in.
Features:
Upright ears (naturally)
Expectations:
Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Very energetic
Longevity Range: 10-15 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: Moderate
Tendency to Dig: Moderate Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Bred For:
Pulling sleds and hunting
Coat:
Length: Medium
Characteristics: Double coat, straight
Colors: Any color or combination
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
Club Recognition:
UKC Classification: Northern Breeds
Prevalence: Rare
The Canadian Eskimo dog (or also known as the Canadian Inuit dog) is large, weighing between 66 and 95 pounds (30 to 43 kilograms).
The dog is built like a large husky or malamute. The head is wedge-shaped with small, pricked ears. The eyes are almond-shaped and the color is dark brown to amber. Blue eyes indicate an impurity. The tail curls over the back in typical husky fashion. Canadian Eskimo dogs generally mature at three years, although they reach their full size around a year.
The Canadian Eskimo dogs' coat is harsh and double-coated. It comes in a variety of colors including white, brown and white, gray, gray and white, red and white and black and white. Canadian Eskimo dogs shed or blow coat, twice a year.
Personality:
Canadian Eskimo dogs are working dogs, highly pack oriented and will challenge their guardians. They are friendly to people but are aggressive to dogs outside their pack and may fight, especially if not worked. They are high-energy dogs.
Canadian Eskimo dogs are destructive chewers and diggers. They pull on a leash owing to their working heritage.
Living With:
Canadian Eskimo dogs require human interaction and the ability to work. They do not do well with dogs outside their pack. Other pets, such as cats, rodents, birds and reptiles, should be kept away from them as the dogs see them as prey.
Canadian Eskimo dogs are vocal and howl. They can do well in a kennel setting provided there are other Canadian Eskimo dogs around to provide companionship. These dogs will fight among themselves for dominance, and should be kept separated from each other to minimize fighting and injuries.
Feed your Canadian Eskimo dog a high-protein dog food. If working or otherwise active, consider supplementing with meat, bonemeal and fat. Canadian Eskimo dogs have difficulty digesting certain grains other than corn and rice.
Canadian Eskimo dogs are ideal for guardians who want a large, intelligent, active dog for sledding and backpacking activities. They make poor watchdogs and poor guard dogs.
Canadian Eskimo dogs typically live from 10 to 15 years.
History:
The Canadian Eskimo dog dates back as far as 4,000 years ago to the Inuit or Eskimo people. These dogs were bred for pulling sleds and helping the Inuits hunt.
Explorers to both the North and South poles, including both Peary and Amundson, used Canadian Eskimo dogs extensively. Until 1992, the dogs were used at an Australian Antarctic station. These dogs, descendants of the original exploration dogs, now reside in Minnesota.
The Canadian Eskimo dog is a recognized United Kennel Club breed. Some dogs still live with their native people, but with the advent of the snowmobile, the dog began to decline. In the late 1960s, the breed almost disappeared. The breed is making a comeback in Greenland and other areas because of the Inuits' renewed interest in their cultural heritage.
