Canadian Eskimo Dog breed

Registration: KC, AKC, FCI
Country of Origin: Canada
Size: Large
Coat: Long
Colours: Various, including a range of solid colours and uneven mantling
Temperament: Loyal, alert, independent, intelligent, affectionate, courageous

History

It is believed that the Canadian Eskimo Dog breed has been around for thousands of years, working alongside the Inuit or Eskimo people. They were initially bred to be working dogs, not as family pets or canine companions. One of their main tasks was to pull sleds and help their owners hunt prey in challenging environments and sub-zero temperatures. They have even been known to defend tribes from polar bears and hunt them for their warm fur.

These spitz-type dogs have aided fearless explorers on their expeditions to both the North and South Poles. Until the early 90s, Canadian Eskimo Dogs were utilised by the Australians at their Antarctic station.

There were around 20,000 Canadian Eskimo Dogs in Northern Canada back in the 1920s. But with the introduction of snowmobiles and their ever-increasing popularity, numbers of these dogs fell dangerously low, and there were less than 200 dogs left by the 70s. But through the efforts of William Carpenter and the Canadian Kennel Club, these hardworking dogs were successfully saved from extinction. They set up a breeding programme true to the breed.

While these handsome, hardworking dogs gained recognition in the United Kingdom in 2000, their numbers stayed low. Surprisingly, these dogs have actually been in the UK for a lot longer than people think. For example, they were used as attractions at several zoological gardens since 1828. But, as pets, they have been slower to gain recognition, despite their loving, courageous natures. Saying that, they are gaining popularity in the show ring and with race owners. They are thought to be a challenge to own, but they are certainly worth the effort if you know how to handle these strong, hard-working canines.

Appearance

Canadian Eskimo Dogs are similar in appearance to Huskies, with typical spitz-type characteristics. They have a proud and powerful look with a very muscular physique that makes them ideal for working over difficult terrains and in harsh Arctic weather conditions.

Their heads are large, wedge-shaped, broad, and well-proportioned. Their muzzles taper to the nose and are moderate in length. Male dogs have broader skulls than females. These dogs have expressive eyes that are placed wide apart and oblique on the face. They are usually dark in colour, but some dogs have hazel and yellow eyes, which is accepted under the breed standard. Blue eyes are not permissible.

Their ears are triangular, thick and short, with rounded tips. They are well-covered in dense, short hair both on the inside and the outside. Moreover, they are carried erect and face to the front. Their jaws are strong with a perfect scissor bite. Their straight necks are short, thick, and exceptionally well-muscled. These dogs have broad, well-muscled, and nicely laid-back shoulders. Their front legs are straight and well-developed. Some dogs have dewclaws while others may not.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs have powerful-looking bodies with wide, well-developed, and deep chests. Their ribs are fairly well-sprung and their loins are well-developed. They have level and well-muscled backs, and their bellies are slightly tucked up. These dogs have strong hindquarters and their back legs are well-muscled. Their well-arched feet are almost round in shape, with thick hair in between their pads and toes. Their bushy tails are large and set moderately high, which they carry high or over their backs.

These impressive-looking dogs boast a thick and very dense undercoat with hard, stiff guard hairs. Male Canadian Eskimo Dogs have more hair around their necks, forming a mane, while their female counterparts have much shorter hair all over the body.

All coat colours are accepted under the UK breed standard, as is a ‘snow nose’.

Personality

Having been bred to work alongside their owners, Canadian Eskimo Dogs are very workmanlike in their attitude to life. Their need to carry out a job is innate and very strong. So, they are best suited to active owners who have the time and knowledge to dedicate to the unique needs of these dogs. They are not suitable for novice dog owners or families with young children. And because they were originally bred to hunt, Canadian Eskimo Dogs have high prey drives. Puppies tend to be strong-willed and a little rowdy, but as they mature, they calm down, as long as they have been appropriately trained. These dogs need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. If they get this, they become highly affectionate and social with people. A well-raised Canadian Eskimo dog is curious, playful, and a joy to have around.

As mentioned, Canadian Eskimo Dogs are very pack oriented. With that said, they do not do well when they are kept as solitary pets because they thrive in the company of other dogs. These handsome dogs are vigilant about everything that goes on in their surroundings, which makes them good watchdogs. These canines are true working dogs that enjoy working alongside their owners. So, they are best suited to homes where someone is around for most of the day.

These dogs must know their place in the pack and know who the alpha is so they can look for guidance and direction. If they don’t, they can become dominant which can be challenging to correct.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs are known to like the sound of their own voices. So, expect to hear them howling when the mood strikes them. Also, note that this breed has a need to establish a hierarchy within a pack. So, extra care must be taken when these dogs are together in one environment.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs form deep bonds with their human companions, but they do have an independent streak. They tend to be a little wary and reserved towards strangers but rarely exhibit any sort of aggressive behaviour.

Trainability

Because of their intelligence, Canadian Eskimo Dogs are fast learners. However, for the same reason, they can easily pick up bad habits if not trained correctly. They need to be well-socialised from a young age as well as continuous training and education. Their training and education must be consistent and fair throughout their life for them to understand what is expected of them. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are a good choice for those who want to participate in sledding-type competitions and other canine pulling activities because they love nothing more than to work.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs excel in many canine sports because they thrive on the attention given during their training and the one-to-one contact when they are competing with their handlers. To successfully train an Inuit Dog, make sure to keep their training and education as interesting as possible and avoid too much repetition. Moreover, keep their training session short to help them stay more focused.

These gentle dogs do not respond well to harsh correction or any heavy-handed methods of training. Use positive reinforcement such as food rewards, praises, and treats to bring out the best in the Canadian Eskimo Dog.

Coat & Care

These beautiful dogs have a dense double coat that consists of a harsh outer coat and a soft, fluffy undercoat. Their coats give them a tremendous amount of protection against the cold, harsh weather conditions of their natural environment. While their coats are dense and thick, this breed is relatively low maintenance in the grooming department. Once or twice a week brushing is all it takes to keep the coat clean and in good physical condition. However, make sure you use a long-bristle brush that reaches right down into the undercoat to prevent matting.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs shed throughout the year and blow out their coats twice a year during Spring and again in Autumn. So, expect to need to brush them more often during these times to keep on top of shedding.

Canadian Eskimo Dog’s ears must be checked frequently to make sure they are kept dry and free of any dirt or wax build-up. You can use a clean cotton ball or cloth moistened with a vet-approved pet ear cleaner to wipe the outer ears roughly once a week. Ear infections are common in dogs so it’s useful to know the warning signs. These include redness, excessive wax build-up, swelling, head shaking, and repeated ear scratching. Speak to your vet as soon as possible if you see these signs so treatment can start immediately.

A daily dental routine is important to avoid tooth and gum disease and bad breath. However, twice a week brushing is enough to prevent any tartar or bacteria from building up. Ask for advice from your veterinarian about dog products that work effectively to keep their mouth, gums, teeth, and tongue clean.

Their nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from growing very long as this can be very unpleasant and even painful for your dog. As you carefully clean and trim their nails, check their paw pads are dirt and wound-free.

Moreover, check their whole body as you clean them to see if there are any wounds, sore areas, or any other signs that your Canadian Eskimo Dog may be suffering from an infection or other health problem. Check their eyes as well to ensure they are healthy without any irritation or discharge.

Health

The Canadian Eskimo Dog’s average life expectancy is between 10-15 years, provided they are correctly cared for, and consuming premium dog food that suits their age and unique requirements. You also need to make sure they receive daily mental and physical stimulation as well as regular vet checkups. Only buy puppies from licensed breeders to ensure they have been socialised and raised correctly and that welfare standards remain high. A reputable breeder will also conduct DNA tests on your pup to detect any underlying health conditions.

These robust canines are known to be a healthy breed, but Canadian Eskimo Dogs may have some of the health issues listed below:

Hip Dysplasia - A deformity of the hip joint that develops during growth. Initial symptoms include lethargy, a reluctance to exercise, and stiffness of the hip joint.
Gastric Torsion - Also known as bloat. This is a disorder where the stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted or rotated. This is classed as an emergency because it can be fatal. So, if you see your dog retching with a distended stomach, get them to a vet asap.
Cataracts - This condition develops when the lens of the eye clouds over, caused by changes in the water balance of the lens of the eyes or changes to the proteins within the lens. If this happens, light can’t reach the retina, causing blindness. This usually affects older dogs, but Canadian Eskimo Dogs seem to be predisposed to early-onset cataracts that can also affect younger dogs.
Heat Intolerance - This can range from mild heat exhaustion to severe heatstroke. Remember that Canadian Eskimo Dogs are used to colder climates so do not cope well with the heat.
Arthritis - An inflammation of the joints that can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort.

Children & Other Pets

Despite their amazing characters and endearing natures, this breed is not the best choice for young families. They need constant attention, exercise, and mental stimulation so you must ensure you have the time to devote to these robust dogs. Moreover, because of their large size, they are not best suited to homes with young children that can easily be knocked over and injured. Supervision is essential between any child and a Canadian Eskimo Dog to ensure no one gets hurt.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs need to be socialised and trained from a very young age as they tend to be a little “off” with other dogs. They also tend to want to dominate other dogs they encounter, even the dogs they live with. Furthermore, you need to be extra cautious with these dogs around smaller animals because they have a strong prey drive.