The History of the Canadian Eskimo Dog

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is one of the five indigenous dogs that Canada is proud to call their own. About 2000 years ago, the Arctic regions of Canada became home to the Thule culture of Inuit people. The first Canadian Eskimo Dogs were called “Qimmiq” (which simply means dog) by the Inuit.

The land was cohabited by the Inuit and their dogs. The dogs were an important and vital part of life. These dogs were extremely versatile, used for transportation, hauling sleds and packing. They also assist in hunting. They were capable of locating seal breathing holes. They served as a protector by attacking and holding musk ox and polar bears at bay. The dogs were a vital part in everyday survival of the Inuit people and their families. 

This breed has survived in the harshest terrain in the world. A Canadian Eskimo Dog can pull twice its weight through the harshest weather and terrain with very little nourishment. This is why this dog was in high demand in the early 1900’s as the dog of choice for expedition use. These dutiful dogs have stood at both north and south poles, serving nearly all the famous explorers of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. With such a rich and proud history, they have been commemorated by appearing on postage stamps and coins.

In the 1950’s it was estimated that 20,000 Canadian Eskimo Dogs lived in Canada’s North. Later, the introduction of new inventions like the snowmobile gained popularity, Canadian Eskimo Dogs quickly started to vanish. Other breeds of dogs came to Canada’s north, carrying many diseases and illnesses.  The Canadian Eskimo Dog had never been exposed to these diseases. Many died and many crossbred with other breeds.

 

In 1970, the Canadian Eskimo Dog was on the verge of extinction with an estimated 200 pure dogs left in the North. In 1972, a project was initiated to try to save the breed and re-establish its numbers. William Carpenter and John McGrath with assistance from the Canadian Kennel Club and the Canadian Government began the Canadian Eskimo Dog Research Foundation Kennel Club. In 1986, the first dogs from this project were registered with the Canadian Kennel Club. The collaborated efforts were instrumental in creating the foundation stock of the registered breed. Unfortunately, the number of pure Canadian Eskimo Dogs in existence is still dangerously low. There are only 279 registered Canadian Eskimo Dogs in existence today.

Information courtesy of http://www.canadianeskimodog.com/history.htm