Northern Inuit Dog

According to legend, the Inuits of North America and Canada are said to have crossed dogs with wolves in order to obtain a pet capable of working long hours. Several of these dogs of undetermined origin were imported to Great Britain in the early 1980s. They were crossed with Siberian Huskies and Malamutes as well as German Shepherds. The dogs used for these crosses were selected not only on physical criteria but also on their temperament, the goal being to obtain a domestic, friendly and affectionate animal that could integrate into family life. Since the creation of the breed, Northern Inuits have only been crossed with dogs of the same breed, with no other mixing. Until 2014, Northern Inuit breeding facilities were only found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but they now exist in South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. Northern Inuits are not yet recognized by the Kennel Club or the FCI.

Northern Inuits are intelligent dogs and very stubborn, which makes them more difficult to train than other breeds. It is advisable to base their education on reward. They are kind to children, but are turbulent while young and therefore cannot be left alone with them. They are very loyal and form a close bond with their owner and family, recreating the spirit of a pack. The Northern Inuit is a non-aggressive dog that seeks to avoid conflict. Like all large dogs, they can be affected by hip or shoulder dysplasia. Because of their pack dog temperament, they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long and therefore be very destructive. It appears that training from an early age or the company of another dog may help modify this character trait.