The Canadian Eskimo Dog is an Artic sled dog that originates from Canada.  They are an older breed, and could possibly be over 1,000 years old.  Originally bred by the Thule people they were, and still are, used by the native Inuit.  The Inuit use the
Canadian Eskimo Dog for hunting artic game and as sled dogs to haul both supplies and people.

    Canadian Eskimo Dogs are powerful and athletic.  They are a member of the Spitz family; therefore they have erect ears and heavily feathered tails.  Their coats are thick and dense, with an undercoat.  Colors can vary and can be almost any pattern, except brindle, solid fawn or black.  White patches are common on the head and face, and pure white Canadian Eskimo Dogs do exist.

      In the 1800s and 1900s the Canadian Eskimo Dog was highly in demand for polar expeditions.  As the modern snowmobiles came into use the breed was slowly replaced, the machines being faster and needing less care.  In the 1950s there were 20,000 of these dogs living in the Canadian Artic, and at the time both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognized the dog.  In 1959 the breed was dropped by the AKC because of the loss in numbers and in 1963 only one dog was still registered with the CKC.  This would have been the extinction of the breed if not for the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation (EDRF).  The EDRF, along with support from the CKC purchased about 200 dogs from remote Inuit camps, these dogs became the breeding stock for the Canadian Eskimo Dog, although they are still a rare breed today.   

    The Canadian Eskimo Dog bonds strongly with its owner and is very loyal.  They are best suited as pets for adults and in their original working environments.