Inuit Sled Dog International
Copyright ISDI, 1997, 2012
Preserving the pure Inuit dog

WELCOME to the Inuit Sled Dog International (ISDI)

The Inuit Sled Dog International organization has for its goal the preservation of the Inuit dog in its purest form as a working dog. The ISDI concentrates its effort on restoring the Inuit dog to its native habitat and disseminating information about this ancient breed. 
For your interest, there is another site about Canadian Inuit Dogs. Follow the link to Facebook and meet people who have different ideas and motivations, but are all lovers of the one and only qimmiq, whether it is called Inuit Dog or Eskimo Dog. Of course, in my opinion it should only have the one name the Inuit themselvves chose, i.e. Canadian Inuit Dog.

Return of the qimmiq, Nunavik

THIS AND THAT NEWS

Toadhall Spitzweg

Ivvakak Race in progress
632 km sarting at Kuujjuaraapik March 18.

A thumbnail history of The Canadian Eskimo Dog Research Foundation and Bill Carpenter
Extract from The Canadian Inuit Dog: Canada's Heritage by Genevieve Montcombroux

In 1972, government biologist William (Bill Carpenter) and John McGrath, an economic developmentn officer for the Northwest Territories government, initiated the "Eskimo Dog Project", which Bill implemented with the creation of The Canadian Eskimo Dog Research Foundation.

   Initially, Bill and John bought some dogs sight unseen with disastrous results. Those dogs were disposed of. Thereafter, Bill only trusted his own eyes and with John, traveled as far as Holamn Island, and Paulatuk in the west (where no phenotypically pure dogs were found), and the east coast of Baffin Island. The dogs they selected in person were phenotypically pure.

   Bill and John consulted Inuit elders from the Inummari Cultural Society of the Baffin Region and studied old photographs to gain a better understanding of the original Inuit dog. Bill also read scientific papers from various polar researchers and the old CKC breed standard.

   As word of the Project spread around the Territories, help came from many quarters. The territorial government, airline companies, businesses and private individuals. Inummari members in Igloolik and Melville Bay, had kept very pure dogs. They understood the importance of the Project and agreed to part with some of their best dogs.
 
  The kennel was registered with the CKC as Qimmitt and the dogs were tattoed. Initially litters were regularly registered. After a few years, however, the enthusiasm for the project dimmed. Support became scarce. A time came, 1985, when Bill didn't have enough funds to register all the litters. The CKC waived the fees for the backlog of registrations. However, this was only a one time help.

   Eventually, by 1986, Bill had to take the decision to close the Canadian Eskimo Dog Research Foundation. At the same time, and to complicate the situation the CKC began hearing about people who claimed to have started a breeding program. Most of these "mystery" program were dismissed by the CKC.

This short history will remain on this page as a reference to avoid confusion arising from Wikipedia Encyclopedia where an individual has usurped Bill Carpenter's work and claimed it for himself.

Qimmiq, the Guardian of Heaven - an Inuit Legend

Toko, bred by Kim Han, Iqaluit, Nunavut. Photo Linda Bergen
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