The Northern Inuit is a breed originally from Great Britain that was bred with the aim of obtaining a dog with the appearance of a wolf but with the character of domestic dogs. Despite not being an officially recognized breed by the International Cinological Federation, its popularity is increasing, which is largely due to its appearance in the famous “Game of Thrones” series.
Do you want to know more about the Northern Inuit dog? If so, don't miss the next file on our site in which we will talk about the most important peculiarities of this dog breed.
Origin of the Northern Inuit dog
The Northern Inuit dog breed has its origin, as its name suggests, in the Inuit population that inhabits the arctic regions of North America. The Inuit crossed dogs and wolves with the aim of obtaining a breed of dog with the resistance of wolves but that could adapt to family life.
In the 1980s, these wolfdog crossbreeds were imported into the UK, where a breeding program was developed in which they were crossed with carefully selected breeds, such as Siberian Huskies, Malamutes and German Shepherds, to finally give rise to what is now known as the Northern Inuit.
In this way, a breed was obtained with an appearance very similar to that of the wolf, but with the character of dogs domestic and the ability to be trained for different tasks. It is worth mentioning that, although crosses with wolves originally occurred, today the dilution has been such that no genetic trace of this ancestor exists in the northern Inuit.
Characteristics of the Northern Inuit
The Northern Inuit is not a breed recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), although clubs and societies of this breed are working to obtain this recognition.
Within the Northern Inuit racial standard, the following characteristics stand out:
- They are dogs large in size, athletic but not too vigorous: males weigh between 36 and 48 kg and are 64 tall to 76 cm, while females weigh between 25 and 38 kg and measure from 59 to 71 cm.
- They have a head not too wide: with a black nose and lips. The eyes, which can be any color, are oval and set slightly oblique. The ears are medium in size, set high and always upright.
- The strong, muscular neck continues with a well-proportioned body.
- The tail is usually held in position: or sickle-like, but never arched.
- The fur is made up of a double layer: dense and waterproof, which allows it to withstand low ambient temperatures. On the body, the length of the hair is about 3-5 cm, being slightly longer on the neck and hind limbs.
Colors of the Northern Inuit
As for the color of the coat, you can find specimens with a pure white coat, to mixtures with black, gray, sable or cream tones Except for the completely white specimens, the rest have a mask on the faceof any of the keys mentioned.
Northern Inuit dog character
Regarding its temperament, the Northern Inuit is a dog with a friendly, calm, trusting and secure character, which stands out for create very strong emotional bonds with their family. Sometimes their dependency is such that they suffer from separation anxiety when separated from their caregivers, so it is It is recommended that they be in homes where they are accompanied most of the day.
While they can be somewhat stubborn or stubborn, they are a gentle breed who rarely show signs of aggressiveness and that is perfectly suited to families with children. However, are not a good choice for households with small pets (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, etc.) as they may display a strong hunting instinct.
It should be mentioned that, as good relatives of wolves, they love to howl. This behavior can be annoying for some people, so it is recommended that they live in spacious areas, with large lots and few neighbors around.
If you are curious to know Why do dogs howl? See the next article on our site.
Northern Inuit Care
In addition to the basic care of any breed, guardians of Northern Inuit dogs must take into account a series of important considerations:
- Food: This breed has a more sensitive digestive system than usual. For this reason, it is especially important to provide them with a high quality and highly digestible diet, with proteins of high biological value.
- Exercise: Unlike other large breeds, the Northern Inuit does not require excessive exercise, as it is considered an animal with a medium activity level. Three walks a day, or even two if they are longer, may be enough to meet the needs of the Inuit, but this does not mean that they do not enjoy longer walks from time to time.
- Training: although they are not dogs that need a high level of exercise, they do require great dedication from their handlers through games and training. When they don't get the proper stimulation, they can get bored and impatient. That is why it is important to dedicate time to them through fun, interesting and varied training and games.
- Hygiene: Like the rest of the Nordic dogs, Northern Inuit shed twice a year (in spring and autumn). These changes are quite scandalous, since all the hair from the previous season is replaced. For this reason, it is important to brush regularly and conscientiously (2-3 times a week during the moulting season), to remove all the dead hair and help the new coat look prettier and he althier.
- Temperatura: Due to their origin, they are dogs that tolerate high temperatures with difficulty. For this reason, in summer it is important to protect them from the sun, especially during the central hours of the day.
Northern Inuit Dog Education
Like any other breed, training and socialization of the Northern Inuit should begin at an early age.
The northern Inuit are very intelligent dogs and with a great capacity for learning. So much so, that they have begun to be used as therapy or assistance dogs and have begun to participate in disciplines such as agility or canicross. However, they are also characterized by being somewhat stubborn and independent, which can affect their learning. For this reason, is not a recommended breed for inexperienced keepers, but those guardians who have the aptitude, patience and firmness necessary for their training are preferable.
Learning should always be based on positive reinforcement, and it is recommended to carry out short training sessions, varied and not very repetitive, to avoid loss of concentration.
To learn more about dog socialization, don't hesitate to read this article.
Northern Inuit He alth
Like other breeds, the Northern Inuit is predisposed to suffer some pathologies, among which are:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Elbow dysplasia.
- Inherited eye diseases: such as glaucoma.
- Chondrodysplasia.
- Cryptorchidism.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
- Epilepsy.
- Addison's disease or hypoadrenocorticism.
Therefore, it is important to carry out regular veterinary check-ups (twice a year) to be able to detect these or other pathologies in their early stages and establish early treatment.
Where to adopt a Northern Inuit
If you are thinking of including a Northern Inuit in the family, you can start by search the Animal Protection Centers that are near you from your home, since this way you can go to the place and personally meet the dogs that are waiting for a welcome.
However, it can be difficult to find a Northern Inuit as it is not a very common breed. Therefore, as an alternative, you can choose search on the websites of shelters or shelters of animals.
In any case, remember that the most important thing when including a new member in the family is not that they meet any racial standard, but that you can welcome them into your home and adapt to your needs and lifestyle.
