Northern Inuit Breed Standard

General Appearance:  A dog of medium build, athletic but not too racy.  Slightly longer than tall, with leg length slightly longer than overall depth of body. Oval bone is neither too heavy nor too light.

Elbows: fitting close to the chest, which must not be too broad.

Body: Topline level, ribs well back. Loin short and deep with no exaggerated tuck up. 

Head:  Not too broad, skull slightly domed. Muzzle slightly longer than skull, strong and gently tapering.

Lips close fitting and always black. Cheeks flat. Nose black (winter noses acceptable) and nostrils large.

Eyes:  Oval, forward facing and set at a slightly oblique angle. Any colour or colour combination permitted. Blue eyes acceptable.

Bite: Scissor Bite

Ears:  Set fairly high, not too large and carried erect.

Neck: Strong and muscular with a well defined nape.

Shoulders:  Moderately sloping, broad and fairly short but not steep.  Tail set fairly high and reaching the hock, carried down when standing, may be lifted when excited. Good rear angulation.  Short hocks.

Hind feet: Oval,  may have five toes,  dewclaws permitted

Fore feet:  Round pasterns upright but flexible.  Pads black and well cushioned with hair.

Coat:  Dense double coat, slightly harsh in texture, heavy coats permitted, Well defined ruff and breaches. Tail bushy.

Gait:  Easy and far reaching covers the ground.

Size:  Bitches  min 22 inches, Dogs min 24 inches .... overall balance more important than size.

Colour:  Pure white or any shade of grey and sable through to pure black.  White faces and dark masks are permitted but any colour change should be subtle.

Temperament:  Friendly and placid, never aggressive or showing any guarding tendencies. Will submit when challenged.

Faults: Curly/gay tails, long flowing soft/silky coats,   patchy/pinto or  black and tan colours.     

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

STANDARD COURTESY OF THE NORTHERN INUIT SOCIETY...

BEWARE

THERE ARE SOME UNSCRUPULOUS BREEDERS SELLING CROSSBREEDS AND WOLF-HYBRIDS AS NORTHERN INUIT DOGS. ALWAYS BUY FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER WHO CAN SUPPLY TRUE DOCUMENTATION.