Happy accidents, rare finds, and Indigenous roots: Meet Canada’s pet breeds
By: Callum Denault
Published on: July 12th, 2024
Many beautiful types of cats and dogs are available for adoption in Canada, just like in any other part of the world. Some of them have surprisingly Canadian heritage, with their origins intertwined with the history of Canada.
Read along to learn more about pet breeds with Canadian heritage and the history behind their origins.
Sphynx cats: An ancient Egyptian sham made in Toronto
Famous for their adorably bizarre, hairless appearances, the origin of Sphynx cats is somewhat covered up by their misleading name. Despite being named after an ancient landmark in Egypt, Sphynx cats are nowhere near as old as the statue of the same name, nor are they from East Africa.
The first Sphynx was a naked kitten named Prune, born in Toronto during the 1960s. Later, two sets of bald kittens were born in the 1970s to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. Breeders used these cats to create a new type of hairless cat, now known as Sphynx.
Outside of being created by a random mutation, what makes these cats even more remarkable is that their hairlessness gene is dominant. This means kittens born to Sphynx parents will likely inherit their lack of fur. Some Sphynx cats are born with some fur patches, however, they are usually sold much cheaper than their completely bald counterparts.
Labrador Retrievers, Newfies, Duck Tolling Retrievers, and other Canadian dogs
There are a total of nine distinct dog breeds that trace their roots to Canada.
Among these are the Labrador Retriever. One of the most popular dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers come in yellow, chocolate, and black varieties based on the colour of their fur.
Despite being named after a different province, these sport dogs originated in Newfoundland and are a famously sturdy yet gentle breed. Labrador Retrievers fill various roles, from loyal family pets to serving the military and police and acting as guide dogs for visually impaired individuals.
Another famously Canadian dog is the gentle giant Newfoundland Dogs. Similar to people from the island of Newfoundland, these dogs are nicknamed “Newfies.” Additionally, the socially energetic Newfoundland Duck Tolling Retriever, aka “Tollers,” finds its origins in the province.
Meet the Qimmiq, an Indigenous Canadian dog
Much like the human citizens of Canada, the history of Canadian dog breeds is a mixture of Indigenous heritage and European colonization.
Some Canadian dog breeds trace their ancestry to Europe, such as those from Newfoundland, Landseer Dogs, and the Seppala Siberian Sleddog. Two others, however, are surviving breeds that kept Indigenous communities company before colonizers ever set foot in North America.
Qimmiq dogs have been a fierce companion to the Inuit people for centuries. This rare dog breed helped Inuit communities survive harsh Arctic conditions. Some examples of their help include pulling heavy sleds across long distances, finding prey, and alerting their owners of dangerous cracks in the ice. Today, the Qimmiq is Nunavut’s national dog breed and has maintained their historical usage as a working dog.
The Canadian Kennel Club, a national organization that tracks different breeds, officially refers to them as the “Canadian Eskimo Dog,” a name that was last updated in 1986. People have called for the breed to be renamed to its Inuit name, Qimmiq, which was given to them in the language of their original and current owners.
Labrador Huskies: Canada’s rarest and most unusual dog breed
The Labrador Husky is a rare, mysterious breed with wolf-like qualities such as having double coats and wild, intelligent personalities. It is a purebred dog unrelated to the Labrador Retriever or any other husky breeds.
Less than 100 members of this breed are thought to currently live in Newfoundland, and they are believed to trace their ancestry back all the way back to the 1300s.