Dogs of Canada
All of the dog breeds from Canada are working dogs, or at least were originally used as such. From retrievers to sled dogs, the breeds of Canada all had abilities designed to help their masters.
The Canadian Eskimo Dog and Mackenzie River Husky are the sled dogs of the arctic north. The Canadian Eskimo Dog was originally kept by the native Inuit people, and to them it was known as the Qimmiq. Used for pulling people and freight it was indispensable in the villages. The Mackenzie River Husky is a type of dog, rather then a breed. Once used for transportation in the north these dogs were lost to the snowmobile. A small amount survives in Alaska, where dedicated breeders strive to save the Canadian breed.
The Tahltan Bear Dog was also kept by the Canadian natives. Kept by the Tahitians of the north they were multi-purposed dogs, but they were most often used for hunting. It is now believed that this dog is extinct, it was said that although small it had the courage to take on a bear. Some believe the Tahltan Bear Dog may still exist in remote areas of Canada, but there is no evidence to support this.
The now famous Labrador Retriever and Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever are both gundogs from Canada. Once simply used for hunting the Labrador Retriever is now kept by many as simply a family pet throughout North America and Europe. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever excels at enticing waterfowl to come out near the hunter and is uniquely suited to this task. They are used mostly for hunting in Canada.
Canada is also the homeland of the Newfoundland and the Landseer. The Landseer is seen as a separate breed by some and as a variant of the Newfoundland by others. The later is the more widely accepted opinion. Newfoundlands were often used for various tasks related to the water. They pulled fishnets in from the waters, accompanied sailors on voyages, and rescued drowning men. Even today the Newfoundland is used a rescue dog both in and outside Canada.
