The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a working dog that looks a bit like a husky. This Spitz-type dog is an ancient sled dog that was used in the Canadian arctic regions. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is strong with lots of stamina allowing them to handle long distance work. This is a rare dog breed that is intelligent, affectionate but best for working environments rather than as a family pet. The Canadian Eskimo Dog looks proud and powerful with thick, dense hair that protects them from the cold.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a Spitz-type dog that is built to withstand harsh arctic conditions and work in challenging terrains. There are a number of similarities between the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Husky. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a well-proportioned dog with a large, wedge-shaped head, a long muzzle and dark, round eyes that are wide apart. This breed has short, triangular ears that have rounded tips and are always carried erect and facing forward.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog looks powerful with a deep chest, well-muscled backs and strong legs. Their feet are arched, round in shape and covered with thick fur. The tail of the Canadian Eskimo Dog is also large and thick, it is carried high or over the dog’s back although older females carry their tails down.
The coat of the Canadian Eskimo Dog is thick and dense. The males have more of a mane than the females, who have a noticeably shorter coat. The Canadian Eskimo Dog’s coat can be black and white, grey and white, red and white, sable and white, white and grey, white and red, white or grey sable.
How big do Canadian Eskimo Dogs get?
Height - Males: 58 - 70cm, Females: 50 - 60cm
Weight - Males: 30 - 40kg, Females: 30 - 40kg
Canadian Eskimo Dogs are bred to work in packs so they are very pack orientated and have a strong need to work. The Canadian Eskimo Dog has a huge amount of energy so needs to spend most of the day outside walking, training and participating in activities such as canine sports. As these dogs are highly intelligent, they learn quickly but they need an experienced owner as they can pick up bad habits just as quickly as they pick up good ones. Younger Canadian Eskimo Dogs are boisterous and playful but as they get older they become calmer and more affectionate.
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs intelligent? Yes
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs affectionate? Yes, more so as they mature
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy levels
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs loyal? Yes
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs playful? Yes, particularly when they are younger
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs aggressive? No
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs easy to train? Yes
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs good guard dogs? No
As pack dogs, the Canadian Eskimo Dog is social and gets on with other dogs. However, if this breed has not been properly socialised from a young age they can be a bit aloof and even dominant with dogs they don’t know. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are not well suited to a home environment as they would rather be working, this means they aren’t a good choice for families with kids or other pets. The high prey drive of the Canadian Eskimo Dog means they won’t think twice about chasing smaller animals. When it comes to strangers, the Canadian Eskimo Dog is aloof but never aggressive.
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs get along with other pets? No
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs get along with other dogs? Sometimes, they can be a bit off with other dogs
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs good with kids? No
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs good with strangers? Yes, although they can be wary at first
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is not a suitable breed for first time owners, these working dogs have specific needs when it comes to training and handling. The reality is the Canadian Eskimo Dogs are happiest when they are pulling sleds or hunting alongside their pack and owners, they don’t suit an indoor life and can certainly never live in an apartment. Canadian Eskimo Dogs need lots of space and would prefer to be around other dogs, they hate to be on their own so can’t be an only dog or kept in a home where everyone is out at work during the day. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are well adapted to cold weather so they don’t handle hot temperatures well.
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs good for first-time owners? No
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs hypoallergenic? No
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs prone to drooling? No
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs a good breed for apartment living? No
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs shed a lot? Yes, with increased shedding twice a year
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs bark a lot? Sometimes, but this can be stopped with training
Can Canadian Eskimo Dogs be left alone at home? No
Can Canadian Eskimo Dogs handle the heat? No
Can Canadian Eskimo Dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs sensitive to loud noises? No
The average life expectancy of a Canadian Eskimo Dog is 12 - 14 years. The Canadian Eskimo Dog is one of the healthiest dog breeds, they are incredibly robust and are not known to suffer from any of the hereditary conditions that impact most other breeds. The downside to the Canadian Eskimo Dog is that their gene pool is small so a lot of care has to be taken when breeding to ensure they remain strong. This means it is vital you buy your Canadian Eskimo Dog from a responsible and experienced breeder.
How long do Canadian Eskimo Dogs live? 12 - 14 years
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a high energy dog that needs at least an hour of exercise per day. Rather than intense exercise, a long but leisurely walk is best suited to the Canadian Eskimo Dog. They are built for stamina rather than speed. The Canadian Eskimo Dog needs to spend as much time off lead as possible but it is important to only let them off in safe, secure areas away from other dogs and other animals. You cannot let a Canadian Eskimo Dog off lead in a busy park, they may try to chase other animals or assert dominance over other dogs. Calm, countryside walks are best for this breed.
How much exercise does a Canadian Eskimo Dog dog need? At least 1 hour per day
Do Canadian Eskimo Dogs like water play? Not usually
The natural diet of a Canadian Eskimo Dog is mostly meat and fish. The breed can do well on high quality commercial foods if they use animal-based proteins or they thrive on homemade food. Canadian Eskimo Dogs need foods that are more meat-based than vegetable-based as they struggle to digest and get nutrition from vegetables.
The amount you feed your Canadian Eskimo Dog is going to depend on the food type you offer them. As every dog is different it is important to have a personal dietary plan made so you know your dog is getting the right amount of food for their age, weight, health and activity level.
Are Canadian Eskimo Dogs prone to weight gain? No
How much should I feed a Canadian Eskimo Dog puppy? As these dogs do well on meat-based, homemade food it is difficult to advise how much to feed them. It is best to consult a vet.
How much should I feed an adult Canadian Eskimo Dog? Contact your vet about how much to feed your Canadian Eskimo Dog, they do best on a high-quality meat-based diet so the amount will vary depend on the food being offered
Grooming: The dense double coat of the Canadian Eskimo Dog needs to be brushed weekly to keep it in good condition. More frequent brushing will be needed when the Canadian Eskimo Dog is shedding heavily but overall they are quite low maintenance. Check their ears and their teeth regularly and clean them when needed. It’s also important to trim their nails as needed too.
Emotional Care: The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a working dog that needs to be busy in order to be happy. If the Canadian Eskimo Dog is not in a working environment then they need to be exercised regularly and should be involved in dog sports etc. to help keep them busy and give them purpose. A Canadian Eskimo Dog is best suited to living with other dogs, if they are left alone or don’t get enough mental or physical stimulation then they may become bored and destructive.
History of the Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is thought to have been around for more than 4,000 years working alongside inuit tribes in Northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland. Canadian Eskimo Dogs are believed to be related to the Greenland Dog and the two breeds have often been mistaken for each other.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog has lived and worked in harsh landscapes with inuit people. Canadian Eskimo Dogs would pull sleds, pack and hunt. In the beginning of the 20th century the introduction of the Siberian Husky meant the Canadian Eskimo Dog population decreased. This was further worsened by the introduction of the snowmobile in the 1960s.
The breed has been kept going by the Canadian Kennel Club and breed enthusiasts but their numbers are still low. In 2000, the Canadian Eskimo Dog gained recognition in the UK but there are very few of these dogs in the UK as they are better suited to working environments than as family pets.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is one of Canada’s indigineous dog breeds
There was only 300 purebred Canadian Eskimo Dogs alive in 2008
Canadian Eskimo Dogs were traditionally used for pulling sleds and hunting
This ancient breed is believed to date back 4,000 years
Explorers used Canadian Eskimo Dogs to explore the North and South poles
Bringing a puppy into your home is exciting but is a huge commitment. We’ve created a buying guide with advice on how to safely buy a puppy while avoiding scams and bad breeding practices. All breeders on Puppies have been vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at our Canadian Eskimo Dog page to find puppies available in your area.
How much does a Canadian Eskimo Dog cost to buy? £750 - £1500
How much does a Canadian Eskimo Dog cost to feed? £60 per month
How much does insurance for a Canadian Eskimo Dog cost? £40 per month
As there are very few Canadian Eskimo Dogs in the UK, you may be waiting a long time for a puppy. An alternative option is to adopt a Canadian Eskimo Dog. Talk to your local dog rescue centre or contact the associations below about adoption:
Rehome a Canadian Eskimo Dog with the Dogs Trust
Speak to The Canadian Eskimo Dog Club of Great Britain about adopting one of these dogs
