Discussion split from NI and Utonagan owners thread Discussions

1) firstly NIs are gorgeous dogs, and you all of beautiful fur babies

They are... but they are so different.. there is no consistency.

2) do NIs like to live with other dogs like huskys n mals seem to do? (i ask this because you all have more than one ) i mean do they do better with another companion than on their own?

My two keep each other occupied.. as in playing rough etc. They tend to leave my little dog alone.. but i would never leave all three together alone.. just in case. Sadly mine HATE other dogs.. so walking near anyone else is impossible.

3) im guessing that NIs arent for a novice owner? correct me if im wrong..

They are strong, clingy.. lots have separation issues.. and can be very destructive (especially in the garden).. so experience of owning easier dogs is a good start.

4) The NI arent KC reg but will they be in the future? how long does it take for a breed to be recognised?

I do not believe this will ever happen.. the KC have already stated.. the record keeping is abysmal (we all know how many pedigrees have been fabricated) and the level of inbreeding is dire.. which has led to many inherited health problems.. such as epilepsy, addisons disease, von willibrands, HD and many young dogs dying for no apparent reason.The KC have also stated that they will not even look at the possibility in the future until all the clubs/societies pull together and move forward.. we all know that aint ever going to happen.

5) how are they to look after maintence wise? are the a particularly healthy breed? do they shed alot or "blow coats" as at the minute im guessing they are similar to other northern breeds?(again correct me if im wrong)

Mine shed 24/7 365 a year... but it`s far worse in early summer and early winter. Regarding health issues.. see above.

6) how are they with other animals, e.g. small animals cats, rabbits etc. and livestock?

Mine would chase and kill in an instant.. especially cats :-(

7) how long have the NI been around, i can remember hearing about them years ago, because my uncle first saw one and said he wanted one and i must of only been littlish

The earlier ones were called wolf hybrids.. i`ve seen pedigrees issued by Julie Kelham under the guise of the Wolf Hybrid Society from the early 90's.. which later went on to be the The Northern Inuit Society.. after legal implications arose due to the legality of owning wolf hybrids.

As i`ve said there is no consistency.. in look, temperament or behaviour.. mine both went to puppy classes.. were socialized vigorously as pups.. but still have behavioural issues. I know mine are not isolated incidents either.

Gosh Janie you've certainly got your hands full there!
I seem to remember reading in the NI breed standard a few years back when we were researching that they should be submissive and sociable, or words to that effect. Or am I mistaken and confusing it with the Ute breed standard?

No that is what is said.

I have got this off the BS, just now:

'Temperament: Friendly and placid, never aggressive or showing any guarding tendencies. Will submit when challenged.'

I think alot probably do, but then alot certainly don't. One of mine certainly will not, that being said as a younger dog things were different. Ref placid, I wouldn't mind clarification on that.

thats the laughable bit imo :-(

Will submit when challenged

My pair do as have most the ones i've met. There has only been a couple of stud dogs that dont and that was to another dog at shows when the pissing contest was in full flow.

Ela once growled at Cassie over a bone which led to a spat but this was after Cassie had been away for a few days and Ela was due in season. Other then that they hit the deck when challenged even by my nans little dog.

All mine are totally different. All are very friendly towards people. Placid would not describe any of them. I would say they are the opposite.

Torin has a lovely personality. He has never been challenged, so I cannot comment on whether he would submit, but I have never even seen him snarl.

Liadan is very submissive towards Sacha, but can be aggressive towards other dogs when on lead. She does not have a problem off lead with other dogs.

Sacha can be a problem. She is extremely dominant. She most certainly would not back down if challenged. Whilst she does get on well with other dogs aslong as they allow her to lead and get the ball etc, I cannot trust her to leave her alone with my 9 month old pup. She can be aggressive and all would guard.

'Temperament: Friendly and placid, never aggressive or showing any guarding tendencies. Will submit when challenged.'

To other dogs? Never, in my experience (with males).

To people? Yes - ish - but usually accompanied with a lot of mumblings and grumblings, curl tossing and flouncing!

...its based on what people want not what they are ;-)

Sounds like Loki!

Yes I'm sure!! Hal was very like this, and so is his son, Ben. Tai is much more acquiescent, compliant and unchallenging - with humans. But with other dogs, if they attack him, or challenge him, he will defend himself, without causing any injury.

Well they are very popular round my way, haven't met a single one yet (barring one a few years back now) that submitted when challenged, or were placid, or okay with other dogs, or infact sociable! Have been growled out on walks when going past by NIs/Utes/British Timber Dogs whatever the latest name is from that, had one LUNGE at my face when it was on lead and I strolled past with my dogs, had a friend had a BC savaged in a way I've never witnessed before in my life when out on a walk by a pair of N.I (breeding pair too as the owner so proudly touted after her dogs had ragged friend BC at either end like a toy), just haven't met one which is anything like what anyone says! All very manic too, none very good off the lead, and met a woman a few months ago who got an NI pup when I got Florrie, so upcoming six years ago, she is on her FOURTH N.I in that time; first was pts due to complications from epilepsy, second dropped down dead at nine months old, third was pts for biting her grandson severely enough to hospitalise him, and the fourth one is hectic and barks at everyone and everything.
IMO from an outsider the breeds in a poor POOR situation, I know this is a thread for owners so have clearly spoke out of turn but I do feel it very uncomfortable that these dogs are being bred in such vast numbers with such severe health problems becoming more and more and more of an occurance, and with temperaments which don't fit any home and are NOTHING like what the "sales pitch" to owners states!

My dog isn't good with other dogs (hardly surprising, given the number of times he was/is set upon by other dogs) but is good with people/children.

I gather you're not keen then Luke!!

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners and bad breeders and it sounds like you've got plenty of those wherever you are! As has been mentioned by various people here these dogs, having the northern breed content, need a competent owner who knows what they're doing. Unfortunately for the dogs and for the people who have to be around them, many are not placed in suitable homes, probably down to unscrupulous breeders.

My boy is friendly, placid, completely over-socialised will play with any dog big or small, and will submit to other dogs if he has to, though is quite happy not to if he doesn't have to! He will /always/ submit to people. I'd be the first to admit that his recall is not acceptable at the moment. It used to be, but he's regressed as he's maturing so we are going through all the baby steps again and we will get there eventually.

.... i dont like the 'northern breed' get out clause used alot...where do u think the 'non guarding' bit in the so called breed standard came from!

Blimey, if that's the contact you've had so far it's no wonder you feel the way you do!
My Ute's are dog friendly, thank goodness. The biggest problem I have is that one of mine will sometimes torment other dogs in order to get a chase. Anything for a chase They are also very people orientated. They do bark in the garden but don't guard food or toys.
I'm glad people are airing their experiences, good & bad

Sounds similar to mine, except for the placid bit! Also still maturing at 5.5yrs old.

My boy doesn't guard so I don't know anything about that. Maybe from observation of the earlier NIs? But surely having true bred Northern Breeds yourself you wouldn't trust their ownership or even guardianship to just anyone, say if you were going away on holiday or bred a litter (I know you wouldn't, not implying your would and I certainly wont be) or something?

For me it's not a get-out clause. It's a fact. Kiba has those breeds somewhere waaaay back in his ancestry and they will always influence his behaviours. That's something he and I will have to work on together for the whole of his life but not something I would use as an excuse for my sometimes ineffective training. It is merely the fact that I have as yet, not found the most reliable way to gain his attention.

your boy doesnt guard because of his northern heritage,
yes of course kiba has them in his ancestry and am kinda confused why you think waaayyy back :?
that and gsd,collie and whatever other breeds that were thrown in way back and not even recorded or not known.i see the northern breeds blamed alot in n.i's but by people who haven't actually lived with them(not meaning u btw),why wouldn't the da be contributed to the gsd,collie,or unknown breeds? its like there's a 'myth' surrounding northern breeds..but again by peeps who don't own them...im not digging at u Kalasin at all

id say that bout any dog i owned ;-)

Well he doesn't have the original founding dogs within the last 4 generations of his pedigree so the original breeds in the mix are way back for him? I guess that's how I see it. It may only be a few years to us, but it's a few generations to them?

Lol it's okay you can dig if you like since I've never owned a Mal or Husky or NAID or any of those types before. I've just looked after a couple and am therefore in not much of a position to argue about how they may or may not be to train and live with! Same as if you say he doesn't guard because of his northern heritage, I'll take your word for that because I have no idea.

Of course you would. There are very very few people I would trust to look after any dog I've owned. Even less who I'd allow to look after Kiba for anything more than /hours/ because of his issues. He managed to piss my dad off within 10 minutes because he's not exactly like my English Setter in temperament and obedience. Though I think he forgot that Cally was an absolute pain in the backside for the first 2 years of her life and had even worse recall than Kiba.