Canadian Eskimo Dog and Greenland Dog
Dog SleddingSled dogs is a common term for any dogs that were used to pull sleds through ice and snow. They also had the legendary ability to withstand the cold. From observation of their skeletons, they weighed up to 80 pounds and had thick necks and deep chests but short strong legs. By the 1860s these dogs were described by early Euro-American explorers as having bushy tails, erect ears, and intelligent expression. Called Sled Dogs, these dogs would 'dance with excitement and raise their voices with melodious strains' as soon as a sled appeared.
In this section first we shall consider the Esquimaux Dog, which arguably is the historical Spitz Dog from which many of today's Sled Dogs descended. This section then elaborates on the Canadian Eskimo Dog and he Greenland Dog, two of the rarer pure breeds of Sled dogs that evolved from their unique ability to pull sleds.
The Esquimaux Dog
Esquimaux Dogs (c1850)
The Esquimaux Dog is believed to date back the to the 'Neolithic' period (3,000 BC) ago. The accompanying picture was published in 'The Quadrupeds of North America' by John James Audubon and John Bachman (1845 - 1848).
Today many sled dogs, especially the Canadian Eskimo Dog has a distinctive howl rather than a bark. When produced by a group of sled dogs, this sound has been named 'one of the most thrilling sounds of the Arctic'.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo is is a powerfully built, tough, hard-working, moderately sized Spitz dog. It has also has been described as a gentle, rather quiet, primitive type of dog. However, it is inclined to adopt a dominant or subordinate role when raised in the company of either numbers of dogs, or numbers of humans. This tendency to dominate is the reason a why a Canadian Eskimo dog is not recommended as a family pet. In an attempt to dominate, like any other dog in that position, this dog will bite!
Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is significantly larger than the Greenland Dog. This dog measures 58-70 cm (23 to 27.5 ins) and the bitch 50-60 cm (19.5 to 23.5 ins). Although we do not have a weight for the Greenland Dog, the Canadian Eskimo Dog weighs 30-40 kg (66-88 lb) and the bitch weighs 18-30 kg (40-66 lb). However, the double coat is very similar in texture and the various colours of the coat are clearly enunciated in the Breed Standard.
The skull is described as being massive, but wedge-shaped and well-proportioned. The muzzle is tapered but of medium length. The small widely spaced eyes are place obliquely in the skull. The short, thick erect ears have rounded tips and are covered with short, thick hair. The powerful jaws have large teeth that close in a normal scissors bite.
The neck is short, thick and very muscular. Below the broad, obliquely set muscular shoulders are straight legs that can give he appearance of being bowed because of the muscling on the forearm. The feet are large and round, with well-arched toes and thick pads with plenty of fur between them. The well muscled body accentuates the over-all power and endurance of he dog through the deep, wide well-muscled chest to the well-developed loin. The hindquarters are very muscular and stifles well bent and he hind feet similar to the front, but slightly longer. The tail is large and bushy, and generally carried up or curled over the back. The powerful brisk trot with the rear legs moving in line with the front legs is a well-balanced efficient stride suitable for heavy pulling day after day.
Greenland Dog
Greenland Dogs
A Greenland Dog is a large tireless sled dog measuring at least 60 cm (23.5 in) and above for males and at least 55 cm (21.6 in) for females. Their double coat has a soft, dense undercoat and a straight, coarse outer coat of dense, coarse straight hair of any colour, either solid or parti-coloured, except albino or merle.Their skull is broad and slightly arched, broad between the ears ending in a definite stop. The nose is large and dark, corresponding to the coat colour but may turn pink during winter. The muzzle is broad, the lips thin and tight housing very powerful strong teeth that close in a normal scissors bite. The eyes are preferably dark and slope slightly and have tight-fitting rims. The ears are rather small, with rounded tips ans are carried erect.
The neck is very powerful and the body is strong and rather compact, but the dog is slightly longer than its height at withers. The topline is level or slight sloping but the back is straight. The chest is broad and deep and the ribs well sprung. The forelegs are perfectly straight with powerful muscles and heavy bone. The pasterns are strong and slope slightly, giving elasticity. the forefeet are rather big and powerful, with strong nails and pads. The underline has just a slight tuck up. The hindquarters are very strong, with moderate angulation. The hock joint is broad and strong, below which are rather big, powerful feet with strong nails and pads. At a trot, the gait should be efficient, harmonious, fluent and tireless essential for a sled dog [2].
References and Further Reading
[2] Greenland Dog: FCI-Standard N° 274
[1] Canadian Eskimo Dog:https://www.dogsaustralia.org.au/members/Breed/Detail/107