My friend is getting one of these dogs but I had never heard of them, does anyone know anything about this breed as they look like Huskies and make terrible guard dogs is all I know so far lol
My friend has been wanting one for years so thought I would help by getting some info on here :)

Anyone know the breed and the pro's and con's?

I personally dont know, but if you google northern inuit society, you should find and be able to get hold of a lot of information on that website!

Hope that helps in some way :)

Cheers babe :)

Im really looking for hands on expierance from people who have owned the breed or bred them etc.
My friend knows the breed arent guard dogs or anything like that and thats not what shes looking for, just wanted some info on their general temperament, what their like to live with, honest views from real people you know? lol :)

Yeh i see what you mean, but on the website what i meant is you can probably contact some breeders and people that have them, that has a list of breeders on it, so you could contact them if needed! :)

Just a thought anyway!!

Hope you find some answers! They are a lovely breed by the looks of them! Not seen many about though to be honest, quite few and far between...well around here they are anyway lol

xx

They seem to keep changing the names for them -Inuit, Utonagan, what's the third name they've used again.......? Yet another designer crossbreed, just a bit older than the rest.

They are not a KC recognised breed Rachael

Not a KC recognised breed?.....not even in America?
So how do breeders have many of them all looking the same if their crossbreeds? Surely they would vary from each one or something wouldnt they as they look too well established to be a Crossbreed if you know what I mean?They look like a established breed?

so do Jack Russells, but they are not a KC recognised breed either ;-)

No.. the AKC do not recognise them as a breed either...

I've never seen 2 look the same -we used to have several come to our club, they looked nothing like each other, even from the same breeder. All just mongrels -not even the coat types were the same.

so do Jack Russells, but they are not a KC recognised breed either

I always forget their not a KC breed, why is that again as they have the Parsons Terrier which looks an awful lot like the JR? And as theres so many why arent the JR recognised?

I will tell my friend they are just mongrels, from the pics she sent me I would have sworn they are a recognised breed as they do look similiar and its a full going kennel which breeds them, you learn something every day dont you!

When you read the breed sites on these dogs they make them sound like the ideal family pet, trouble is you have approx 3 different breeds in that mix, you can never guarantee which one will be the more dominant, and even using just the GSD part (the only one I've worked with) look how varying GSD character's are, yes they have breed traits but here we have 3 breed traits together, it would be a little like pot luck, same with looks too.

Huskeys and Malamutes are not easy breeds for the novice, GSD's too, all difficult breeds, I hope that your friend is not buying on looks Rach and I really think she should become familiar with all 3 breeds before even contemplating an Inuit as all these breed traits are in there somewhere. :-)

Rach85
Unfortunately there are several establishments breeding these dogs, that are puppy mills.  To give one example, a woman in Scotland was convicted of puppy farming (this breed!) and she moved her "business" down to England because a legal loophole still allows her to "breed" in England and Wales.  So I would be very very wary with buying one of these dogs.  Remember how fake websites can be, and several have fronted scams over the years.

I would insist on a pup from hipscored parents as they don't look good on the BVA site!  Only met one, owner couldn't cope and she was down the road within 2 months, shame because she was a lovely pup!

An Inuit is basically a cross between a GSD, Husky and Malumute.  I really don't agree with people breeding so called 'Inuits' but a good friend of mine has one and her litter sister also came to my training classes.  Someone also came along with a male 'Inuit' puppy and eventually gave him away because of his energy levels and they said they couldn't manage him.

I have never seen 2 litter sisters look so different to each other, their characters were also very different!  My friends dog has a lovely temperament but is more like a GSD is ways whereas the litter sister is not very dog friendly and doesn't listen whatsoever.  I would say the joints on both these dogs that I have had close contact with are not good.  One has spent £3000 + at the vets before the dogs 2nd birthday and the main reason being is because of her body structure.  My friends Inuit is also at showing signs of having bad hips.

The one's I have come across are very lively and need alot of work.  I have to admit my friend has done wonders and is a first time dog owner but she has been extremely dedicated for the last 2 yrs.

But not to forget they are a cross breed and the KC has no intention of recognising them in anywhere in the near future.

This is all bad bad news :(
I wasnt aware of the breed being a crossbreed as they are very good looking for a mongrel but then Ive never seen one up close!

This shocked me.....

Huskeys and Malamutes are not easy breeds for the novice

Someone has honestly bred these 2 breeds together with a GSD???
Thats like the craziest and most challenging of crossing I have ever heard of

The very idea of them coming from puppy farmers is more then enough to make me put her right off too.

Im so so glad I asked on here as I am gonna tell her NO NO NO to getting one of these as she is a first time dog owner and this is way too much for her!!!

You should direct her towards rescue,they will have plenty of wolfy looking crossbreeds.A good rescue will match her with a suitable dog for her circumstances :)

I believe the puppy farmer was mentioned in Our Dogs newspaper if you want proof for your friend.  It would have been a month or two ago or thereabouts.  You may be able to phone up the newspaper and ask for all articles relating to Utanogan and Inuits?

Epilepsy is an issue in some of these dogs too ............... very very political - multiple breed clubs and they all hate each other, some are trying to do things properly now, but sadly the vast majority of this dogs are horrifically inbred ......

Parents should be hip socred and eye tested at a very minimum ..... any issue GSD, Mal or Sibe can have has cropped up in this mix as well as some that do not generally happen in the 3 breeds ............

THey are no more a breed that labradoodles, they just have fancy names.

I think the Northern Inuit are actually a separate 'breed' from the Utonagan.

I have met a few NIs - not many, one or two lovely but the majority (of the small number :-D ) quite nervy.

http://www.theutonagansociety.com/info/standard

http://www.the-northern-inuit-society.com/breedstandard.htm

http://bidc.co.uk/5.html

http://www.tamaskan-dog.com/The%20Standard/standard.htm

As far as I am aware, none of them are officially recognised breeds.

http://www.bva.co.uk/public/documents/Breed_Mean_Scores_-2008.pdf

And if you look under F - Breeds not recognised by the Kennel Club - you will find the hip score results for both Inuit and Utonagan....

The 'breed' was created in England during the late 1980's. Although Northern Inuits are touted as Malamute X Husky X GSD, there is evidence to suggest that the foundinf dogs were indeed mongrels that had been strays and were imported by an individual because they looked a bit 'wolfy'.  Mal, Husky & GSD may have been added later.  KC recognition was applied for a few years ago but was turned down.

There is a lot of contraversy going on in the breed as more and more health problems seem to be cropping up.  Until recently, breeding stock didn't have to be hip scored..ludicrous considering the alleged component breeds.  It would also now appear that dogs known to carry epilepsy were bred from and Addisons and vWD are starting to crop up in some lines.

Rach, I am going to PM you with a couple of links to pass on to your friend.  She may change her mind once she has seen them, or at least be in a better position to make an informed decision.

>I think the Northern Inuit are actually a separate 'breed' from the Utonagan.

They are now but they all originate from exactly the same dogs.  At some point, a split in the ranks occurred and one faction remained as NIs and the other formed the Utonagan.  So, dogs that were an NI one day, suddenly became a Utonagan the next ;-)  Then more factions split off so now there are NIs, Utonagans, British Inuits, Chimayo Inuits, Tamaskan Dogs (and goodness knows how many others)....all of which can be traced back to the same (alleged) founding dogs.

not to mention that the original faction - northern innuit - has split into 2 opposing clubs: NIS and TIDA (in the UK)

and all these factions hate each other

all very confusing

Was the breed created for any specific reason?

>Was the breed created for any specific reason?

Depends which faction you ask ;-)  It seems to have been developed simply to look like the wolf.  Some refute this and say that it was developed to have the look of the Northern Breeds but with the trainability of the GSD so they can be let off lead etc.  However, as you'd expect from a crossbreed, reports on their trainabilty varies from dog to dog with some seeming to be very obedient (at least one has been trained for search & rescue as far as I know) and others resorting to the use of e-collars because of their high prey drive.

I see.I think I'd still go to a good rescue and find a wolfy looking cross with a good temperement and match to my lifestyle if that's all I wanted  ;)

Me too :-)  Recues are coming down with Husky crosses etc that would perform exactly the same function.

And look the same too ... They seem to look like hairy fat huskies or starved mals from the links above ....have you seen the prices they charge ?????? They are good looking dogs but not that good looking that they can demand a higher price than the breeds they are derived from . (don't know much about the german shep's but know if i liked them and wanted one these do not come close )I pity any new dog owner that may get one of these pup's as they will be told they can let off lead then one day the drive sets in and shebang ... no more dog ...or even the naughty streak the pup's have  (huskyness) that new dog owners can't see past ...

Given the fact that within 20 years the "breed" has split several times (Northern Inuit, British Inuit, Utonagan, Tamascan etc etc) and that there are at least half a dozen Breed Clubs for a set of "breeds" that are still numerically tiny; and, given the fact that the largest club is headed up by "the founder breeder" who has animal cruelty convictions; and, given the fact that pedigrees have been shown to be at the very least inaccurate and at worst completely made up; and given the fact that serious health problems are showing up in the "breed," I would say that it is something to avoid like the plague.

The Inuit is not a breed, and given the conflict between the  clubs, they will never get their act together enough to achieve recantation

[url=]Given the fact that within 20 years the "breed" has split several times (Northern Inuit, British Inuit, Utonagan, Tamascan etc etc) and that there are at least half a dozen Breed Clubs for a set of "breeds" that are still numerically tiny; and, given the fact that the largest club is headed up by "the founder breeder" who has animal cruelty convictions; and, given the fact that pedigrees have been shown to be at the very least inaccurate and at worst completely made up; and given the fact that serious health problems are showing up in the "breed," I would say that it is something to avoid like the plague[/url]

Couldn't agree more, so much secrecy , infighting,  between these clubs, it makes your head spin.

Pay particular attention to the health problems and in breeding in these dogs....never mind the inaccuracy of the pedigrees...

The phrase buyer beware is never more true , when looking into this Xbreed

I always forget their not a KC breed, why is that again as they have the Parsons Terrier which looks an awful lot like the JR? And as theres so many why arent the JR recognised?


The Parson Russell is a recognized breed because it breeds to type, and has breed records...

The JRT  is not a recognized breed because they dont bred to type, no records, most are farm bred, with a bit of this and that in them... 

Bred for working ability ,  thats why you get some smooth coated, some rough, some long legs, some short, some with queen Anne legs.... it will all depend on what has gone into them.

> some with queen Anne legs

What on earth are Queen Anne legs?

>What on earth are Queen Anne legs?

Short and bowed, like the legs on Queen Anne furniture.

Ah... thanks JG. I just call them bow legs. :-D

> but the majority (of the small number :-D ) quite nervy.

> munrogirl76

I have to agree, I've seen a few and had a few refered to me for nervous aggression problems.
It would seem that the GSD type of choice for these breeders is the nervy, lip smacking, eye darting 'english' type, which mixed with A.Mute is a big problem. A large, powererful scared dog...just about the worst senario

Well it seems I am gonna have to re-think my friendship with this person

I told her eveything on here (Thanks for the links :) ) and she said 'Oh I know their crosses' which shocked me but I thought OK people like crosses, so warned her of the few kennels and some are very dodgy indeed and some breeders have been done for animal cruelty etc and she said she didnt mind she just wants a Inuit!!! I said that they have alot of problems which were mentioned here and again she shrugged them off and is adamant she wants one, comparing them to her dads border collies she used to walk

I dont think I will be calling her a friend again anytime soon :(

Alternatively there are plenty of purebred Spitz breeds with varying traits that are far more predictable.  Some are easier as Pets than others, which are best in working or experienced homes.

Will she not consider a husky cross from rescue if she wants something similar looking - rescues do sometimes get puppies in - she could try breed rescue as they sometimes take crosses of the breed as well - depends on the rescue and how much space they have.

Thanks for the suggestions guys but Ive reccommend Rescue dogs or even a KC breed which looks like a wolf (Not Huskies as I believe they are very specialised pet in terms of exercise and activeness and should be sought not reccommended!) as she is claerly going on just cosmetic, but she is 100% adamant she wants an Inuit puppy and it must be a puppy, cant believe what shes saying and preaching to me about the Inuit being same as Collies as she seemed to be level headed!

I can only take the horse to water, I can not make it drink ;)

What a puzzle, can't be she wants one because of it's looks they all look different most like rather poor bred GSDs, have seen a few that are attractive but when buying a pup you will have know idea what it will look like when adult - still none so stupid and stupid folks.

I went to an Inuit show a couple of weeks ago and thought the dogs were lovely. Temperaments on the whole were extremely good with the exception of a couple of hot headed 'teenage' males. From what I could gather, a number of them were rescues which came with problems, but with the dedication of the Inuit devotees and a lot of work they have turned into great dogs.
I can certainly see the attraction, but as with most large breeds, I would not see them as a dog for the novice owner. One thing that did strike me among the owners was that the owners were happy for whoever won and applauded all winners and they are very passionate about their dogs. 

Aren't we all?

can't be she wants one because of it's looks they all look different most like rather poor bred GSDs

I think she is looking just for looks to be honest :(
Ive tried to drive some sense into her about everything thats been said but she wont listen, just have to pray she doesnt get one from a puppy farm, Ive told her what to look out for :(

I would imagine you can't really get further away from collies really! If she is expecting them to behave like collies i would imagine she's in for a shock!

> If she is expecting them to behave like collies i would imagine she's in for a shock!

And rescue may be in for a puppy. :-(

Although I largely agree with everything said on here. I did meet Jerry Lee (I think that's his name) at Discover Dogs, he is a Northern Inuit and is a beautiful dog to look at and in character. Having said that, I would never be tempted to have one, as I think they may be a very difficult breed.

I know everyone gets hot under the collar about crossbreeds and so on, but isn't this how all breeds were initially developed? Not agreeing it should be done, just an observation. A whole different issue is why you would 'create' a particular breed.

Kat

I know everyone gets hot under the collar about crossbreeds and so on, but isn't this how all breeds were initially developed?

Yes and no. All breeds were developed long ago, most well over 100 years ago or more, and they were all developed for a REASON. Golden Retrievers for example were developed when huntsmen got access to better guns (i.e. when better guns had been invented!) and were suddenly able to shoot birds from a greater distance, so they needed a dog that could run out and retrieve the shot game for them. Breeds were NOT developed because somebody thought it was a good idea to have a dog that looked like a wolf, or any other way. The exception being the toy breeds that largely were looks and size -but even they had their uses. Toy Spaniels (later became King Charlas  Sp and Cavalier KCS) were used by ladies to attract fleas off the human body onto the dog........ ;)

Also many developed from existing types that had existed for centuries, and were refined regionally or based on a use that they excelled in.

> the largest club is headed up by "the founder breeder" who has animal cruelty convictions

Is that this one?

http://www.dogworld.co.uk/News/39-appeal-wwithdrawn