My friend may be getting one of these soon. I tried to look them up but there isn't much information on them and rather than look like an idiot can anyone fill me in quick?
I hope your friend likes a very busy life!!!! Lovely dogs if you keep them entertained - very very high energy needs, can be very noisy and destructive - come in a massive variety of colours attractive dogs I love sled dogs but I couldn't live with a CED!!!!
The history of the Canadian Eskimo Dog in the UK is a bit confused as until fairly recently they were lumped in with Greenland Dogs as one breed - The Eskimo Dog. The KC separated the two and they are now recognised as similar but separate breeds. The issues of keeping Siberian Huskies are well known - high prey drive, no-off lead etc - with Canadian Eskimos you can multiply these problems a few times. Not an easy dog to live with unless you are really well prepared and ready to cope with anything....... This is from a CED website: .. Canadian Eskimo Dog The Canadian Eskimo Dog is the dog used by the Inuit as an all-purpose haulage dog and is smaller than the heavyweight Alaskan Malamute but not as light as the quick Sled Dog, the Siberian Husky. It is thought they arrived in Canada from Greenland approximately 1,000 years ago. The Eskimo dog was crucial to the survival of the Inuit; they were used as sledge dogs and helped with hunting by locating seal breathing holes and were sufficiently courageous to hold polar bears at bay. It was the Eskimo Dog that proved itself on Polar expeditions; on one trip a six dog team hauled a fully laden sled 750 miles in two weeks. There is a considerable variance in size between dogs and bitches - dogs at up to 68cm and 105lbs can weigh half as much again as the bitches. He has a dense double coat offering weather protection and excellent insulation; the undercoat is exceptionally thick with the coarse outer coat longest on the neck and shoulders with distinct breeches and a plumed tail. All colours and combinations are acceptable. They were never domesticated whilst working as sledge dogs and were partly self-sufficient, being encouraged to hunt their own prey. These instincts to kill remain so they must be treated with great caution around livestock and other pets. Secure fencing is essential. They are good-natured and affectionate but distinctly independent, as would be expected from a breed who was accustomed to fending for himself. Early socialisation is essential as they are wary by nature. They are not trainable in the usual way, and for those who choose to welcome one into their home immense patience is vital; they are also extremely energetic and will take all the exercise that is offered. As pack dogs they have a real need for company, whether human or canine. Not the easiest of breeds, the Eskimo Dog will not suit everyone and thorough research should be undertaken before taking one on. Hope that's of some use Mick
Mick, That's a helpful post. I do admire these dogs (and have a painting of Greenland Dogs working in Scorsby Sound, Greenland in the sitting room...the artist regularly spends time in Greenland studying wildlife). However, from what i understand they would be very tricky to train as you mentioned and do have the extreme prey drive - making life with neighbours cats and small dogs a little tricky, I would imagine. Do you think it may be possible to work them in a rig or with a scooter as sibes and mals are, to give them a working outlet? Mary
Thanks for that guys. I am sure she knows what she is doing, she has already had Sibs and Mals in the past, she is familiar with husky type dogs and she does do some racing with them as well, but as a hobby not for competition. She took me once, but its far too scary for my tastes, and I only had one dog, she had 4.
I think if she has owned Sibes and Mals in the past she should at least have a fighting chance with an Eskimo Dog (LOL). I would be certainly a lot more worried if your friend had no experience at all of northern breed dogs. Mick
Just out of curiosity does anyone know the difference between a Greenland Dog and a Canadian Eskimo Dog or why the breeds were seperated?
Bit out of season at the moment..but if you google Snopeak wesbite..Ewan has a fixture list check it out there may be some near you
Here's something I thought you might like to see Think we'll stick to harnessing our sibes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEFLZJBWIdQ Jan.
The CED and the greenlands are very similar. One of the differences between the breeds are that (afriend of mine in canada described the CED up to the Grl dog - she has both) the CED is a tougher dog, harder tempered, and a bit heavier. They move a bit differently when working. But all in all its much the same. Over the years I've experienced greenlands of different lines and types. And one thing is clear - there are greenlands aswell who can be closely describes as a CED in temper, and also in buildt. The relations between the breeds origins from the west coast of greenland. Where the grld dogs are heavier and more furry, bigger. And then there is a type from east greenland who are lighter buildt. Both types has adapted to its climate over the centuries since there are rockier and more to the coastline in the east. I have a male myself imported directly from Sisimiut in west greenland, and his height is 69 cm and weighs about 40 kg. 3 others of my dogs are 50 % import from Illulissat(west) and Sisimiut. And one of the females is about 66 cm in height and weighs about 36 kg. and so on. They have a minimum 5 cm lairs of coat and otherwise has the same type of coat as the CED. BUT these are dogs of mild temper, easy to handle if you are familiar with polar breeds, but they definately need a firm hand! Shortly about the greenland opposed to the Ced:=) Workwise they have the same needs as the CED, but have the ability to slow down and sleep through the whole summetime, and demand little excercise then. Only småll walk or activity. The greenland can as the CED become very destructive if not stimulated enough workwise. But there are great individual differences ther aswell as in any other ways.
I'm a spitz person and I would be hard put to sort one from the other. Have not gone through the standard word for word but from the ring side I would find it difficult to separate them. For those who are very interested or have time to spare the standard of both breeds will be on the KC web site. As a starter the CED is supposed to be an 1" larger, not a lot of good as it is not likely that they or the Greenland are bred to standard.
Read this.. http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=32913 Stuart owns many fabulous greenlands..(but Grit is my fave!)
"As a starter the CED is supposed to be an 1" larger, not a lot of good as it is not likely that they or the Greenland are bred to standard" Pita: I don't know if I understand this correctly. But are you saying that it is not likely neither the greenlands or CED are bred up to standard?!
