The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a large breed of Arctic dog, which is considered to be North America's oldest purebred indigenous dog. Other names include Qimmiq (Inuit for "dog") or what is considered to be the more politically correct Canadian Inuit Dog. The name Eskimo translates to 'Flesh Eater', in Canada and Greenland the term 'Eskimo' has fallen out of favour as it is considered insulting. It has been replaced by the term Inuit. However, while Inuit describes all of the Eskimo people in Canada and Greenland, that is not true in Alaska and Siberia who retain the Eskimo name. Although once used as the preferred method of transportation by Inuit people in the Canadian Arctic, traditional working dog teams became increasingly rare in the North after the 1960's, as snowmobiles became more popular, and tended to be faster and more efficient. Today many Inuit prefer to run the faster, though less hardy, mixed-breed Alaskan Huskies, limiting the popularity and indeed the probable survival of the increasingly rare Canadian Eskimo Dog.
There are only 40 or so registered Eskimo Dogs in the UK, there are 3 shows that offer Canadian Eskimo Dog classes and they are on the rare breed register at present. They are not dogs for the novice owner nor should they be kept purely as pets. They have a natural working drive and are strong, powerful dogs described as freight dogs rather than fast sprinters such as the husky. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is known to have been resident in the Arctic for at least 4000 years. The Canadian Eskimo Dog was first bred by the Thule People. The people of the Thule originally resided in Alaska in 500AD, and later Nunavut, Canada. It was, and still is (to a very limited extent), used by the Canadian Inuit people as multi-purpose dogs, often put to work hunting seals and other Arctic game, and hauling supplies and people. In the 1800s and early 1900s this breed was in demand for polar expeditions. When snowmobiles came into use, the population numbers started rapidly declining, because snowmobiles are faster and need less care.
In the 1920s there were approximately 20,000 dogs living in the Canadian Arctic, and the breed was accepted for showing by both the AKC and CKC; however, in 1959 the AKC dropped the breed from its registry because of extremely low numbers. It probably would have gone extinct if not for the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation (EDRF). The EDRF was founded in 1972 by William Carpenter and John McGrath. The EDRF purchased dogs from the small (about 200 dogs) population remaining in the Canadian Arctic then began breeding dogs in order to increase numbers. It is also suggested that many of these dogs were slaughtered by the Candian Police to reduce movement by the Inuit people which certainly doesnt help with trying to keep the numbers of these dogs on the up!
Above "Shepherdways Red Delight & Shepherdsway Volcanic Dust" racing on a rig at an organised sled rally.
These dogs are owned by Ann Allen, Shepherdsway Kennel
Below "Shepherdsway Silver Sleigh" with Brandon a junior handler after a day out at a companion dog show.
