Canadian Eskimo Dog

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a powerfully built, moderately sized dog with a thick neck and chest and medium length legs. Typical of the spitz family of dogs he has a wedge shaped head held high with erect ears. The eyes are obliquely set giving a serious appearance. The dog has a bushy tail carried up or curled over the back. Of almost equal height at the hips as at the withers, medium to large boned and well muscled the dog displays a majestic and powerful physique giving the impression that he is not built for speed but rather for hard work. During the winter the body is thickly clothed with an outer coat of straight or erect hair, below is dense undercoat which enables the animal to easily to withstand the rigours of high latitudes. A mane like growth of longer hair over the neck and shoulders will appear on male specimens. The whole conformation of the Canadian Eskimo Dog should be one of strength, power and endurance balanced with agility, alertness and boldness. The female of the breed will usually have a shorter coat than the male and will always be significantly smaller than the males. As young bitches, they will be finer boned giving among other things a narrower head which tends to produce a friendlier looking face than with the males.
Sizes: Dogs Height at withers (shoulders): Weight 30-40 kg: Bitches Height at withers 50-60 cm: Weight 18-30 kg
CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT
Both males and females of the breed are known to have a rapid growth rate reaching working size around seven months. However, the maturing process extends to at least three years of age giving them a very majestic appearance. Puppies have often been described as miniature adults, with erect ears and a curly tail at the young ages between three to five weeks.  The natural voice is a howl, not a bark. When in a group the dogs often give voice in a chorus of strangely woven tones and it is one of the thrilling sounds of the Arctic. 
The temperament of the Canadian Eskimo Dog should reflect the tough hard-working breed that he is. He is not to be viewed as a domestic pet but rather as a primitive dog originally domesticated by Inuit for specific tasks in a harsh arctic environment. In general disposition, the mature Canadian Eskimo Dog is gentle and affectionate with the average individual, enjoying attention. Even with total strangers the dogs are rarely standoffish. Usually they will exhibit a rather quiet friendliness and harmless curiosity or become completely distant. Compared to modern domestic breeds, the Canadian Eskimo Dog has almost over response to any stimulus whether it be food, work, fighting or play. For this reason, the dog should be a companion for adults and is not to be considered a child’s pet.