Canadian Eskimo Dog

The Canadian Eskimo Dog remains a rare breed, even in the U.S. and Canada. It was developed by the Inuit hunters of Canada and called “Qimmig” or “Kingmik.” They were bred to work hard, pulling sleds for hunters and fending off predators like polar bears. When the Siberian Husky was introduced—and the snowmobile—the dog breed tumbled, getting down to perhaps 200 dogs somewhere around 1970. 

There’s a laundry list of requirements for a Canadian Eskimo Dog to be happy: freezing cold temperatures, access to large swaths of land, someone willing to put up with Spitz-like behavior such as extreme independence. You’ll also have to bathe the dog and keep its mind active with plenty of mental exercise, especially if they are not traditionally working. You will be rewarded, though, with a fun, outgoing breed perfect for an active family located somewhere cold.

Get ready to get active: the Canadian Eskimo Dog needs two hours a day of rigorous exercise at a minimum. They will also need lots of training, problem-solving, games, and puzzles. Those living in cold conditions where sled dogs are common are best suited to meet this dog’s needs. If not, you’ll need to provide plenty of exercise during cooler hours and have lots of space for them to run free.

It’s less about a huge house and more about providing a pack for the Canadian Eskimo Dog. They love the companionship of their own breed, and multiple energetic snowballs take up space. Grab a lint roller because this is a heavy-shedding breed. Your house should have an extremely large and well-secured yard, with access to walks that offer a lot of variety for this independent and curious dog. If they are not traditionally working, it’s preferable they have access to a sporting club where they can participate in doggie activities like sledding and running.

The majestic coat of the Canadian Eskimo Dog comes with some maintenance as these are high-shedding pups. Their warm, weatherproof coats have a thick undercoat with a longer topcoat. Males have a lion-like mane around their necks and shoulders. They need brushing about twice a week, and daily when the coat sheds heavily, so be prepared to vacuum a lot.

Independent thinkers and strong-willed, this highly specialized breed blends together an agile mind and powerful body. They require training, not only to help them do the right thing but to prevent them from bad habits. They love to run and could run forever unless physically stopped, so recall should be taught, although it shouldn’t be the only training gone. They love to socialize with their pack but could do poorly around other animals or pets.

These artful Arctic pups can do well with a family if trained and exercised properly and love life with other Canadian Eskimo Dogs. However, due to the amount of shedding and the time commitment needed to have them mentally and physically fulfilled, they don’t do particularly well with families that can’t devote a lot of time to them. Small children or other pets are likely too much of a conflict of interest as far as time and energy go. They also do not like being left at home alone, even if they have walkers or are in daycare. They are super friendly and outgoing and need company, and a lonely or bored Eskimo Dog can be destructive and noisy.

The cost of a Canadian Eskimo Dog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.