INTRODUCTION

The Northern Inuit Dog is a hybrid breed with a debated origin, but most agree that the Husky, Malamute and German Shepherd are part of its ancestry. Other theories include Samoyeds and Canadian Eskimo dogs. Although their origin is a mixture, they are now only bred with other northern Eskimo dogs by breeders seeking to secure purebred status for this hybrid. Despite the “wolf dog” nickname and appearance, there is no actual wolf in their recent ancestry. Although they have been popular for decades, especially among people who want dogs that look like wolves, their popularity skyrocketed with their involvement in the HBO television series Game of Thrones as orphaned wolves.Unfortunately, not everyone who buys Northern Inuit dogs ends up keeping them, and they end up in shelters and rescues. Although Northern Inuit dogs resemble wolves, their temperament is very different. They tend to be excellent family dogs and do not show aggression towards their fellows. The flip side of their intense loyalty is that they can suffer from separation anxiety, so they fit best in an environment where there is someone at home most of the time or with another canine companion. They have a stubborn streak and can be difficult to train, so these dogs would be best for experienced pet parents. Because they are so active, they would also prefer a house with a yard.

HIGHLIGHTS

Northern Inuit dogs are hybrid dogs. Currently they do not have purebred status with the American Kennel Club.Northern Inuit Dogs come in a variety of colours, including white, black, grey, sable, and apricot, and can be a mix of those colours, as well.Northern Inuit Dogs shed a decent amount, especially when transitioning between seasons. Their coat should be brushed two or three times a week. Northern Inuit dogs do not do well when left alone for long periods of time and can suffer from separation anxiety, so they are best kept in homes where someone is home most of the day or where they have a canine companion. They need a long walk or two shorter walks each day. Northern Inuit dogs tend to get along very well with children. Northern Inuit dogs get along well with other dogs, and are lonely if left alone for long periods of time, so a canine companion may be a good idea. However, their strong prey drive may not be a good choice for households with small pets, such as cats.

HISTORY

There are two stories about the origin of the Northern Inuit dog, and both may be true. Despite the exact location and mix in each story, the modern Northern Inuit Dog is its own distinct breed, and the Northern Inuit Society (NIS) claims to breed them only with dogs of the same hybrid breed, rather than mixing the original parent breeds, which makes the modern Northern Inuit quite distinctive.although they are not yet recognised as their own pure breed with the American Kennel Club, this is something the NIS has been working on. It is interesting to note that most other mixed breeds are still bred from their purebred parents – occasionally with other equal mixes, but this is not the norm – which makes the Northern Inuit Dog an unusual case.Aligned with the heyday of mixed breeds, in the 1970s and 1980s, the Northern Inuit Dog was the answer to people wanting a domesticated dog that was as wolf-like as possible. Although their appearance may be similar to that of wolves, their temperament is very different. But that has not diminished their popularity, which has only increased, especially since their appearance as “direwolves” in the HBO series Game of Thrones; in fact, their loyal and friendly nature makes them much more suited to family life in the home than their wolf-like cousins.