Table of Contents
Editorial: Defining the Inuit Sled Dog
Featured Inuit Dog Owner: Sylvia Feder
All the Wrong Reasons
DNA Project
Last Trip of the Century to the North Pole
Bering Bridge Expedition - 10 Years Later
Ways of the North
Behavioral Notebook: Watching TV
Poem: Standing Invitation
Video Review: Dog of the Midnight Sun
Janice Howls: Observations
In My Humble Opinion: Work, et. al.
Navigating This Site
Index of articles by subject
Index of back issues by volume number
Search The Fan Hitch
Articles to download and print
Ordering Ken MacRury's Thesis
Our comprehensive list of resources
Talk to The Fan Hitch
The Fan Hitch home page
ISDI home page
Index of articles by subject
Index of back issues by volume number
Search The Fan Hitch
Articles to download and print
Ordering Ken MacRury's Thesis
Our comprehensive list of resources
Talk to The Fan Hitch
The Fan Hitch home page
ISDI home page
Editor's/Publisher's Statement
Editor: Sue Hamilton
Webmaster: Mark Hamilton
The Fan Hitch Website and
Publications of the Inuit Sled
Dog– the quarterly Journal (retired
in 2018) and PostScript – are
dedicated to the aboriginal landrace traditional
Inuit Sled Dog as well as related Inuit culture
and traditions.
PostScript is
published intermittently as material
becomes available. Online access is free at: https://thefanhitch.org
PostScript welcomes your letters,
stories, comments and The editorial staff
reserves the right to edit submissions used
for publication.
Contents of The Fan Hitch Website and its publications are protected by international copyright laws. No photo, drawing or text may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Webmasters please note: written consent is necessary before linking this site to yours! Please forward requests to Sue Hamilton, 55 Town Line Rd., Harwinton, Connecticut 06791, USA or mail@thefanhitch.org
Defining the Inuit Sled Dog
There are ways to describe their physical appearance. And it is possible to put into words how the Inuit Dog works, although nothing beats the experience of sitting atop a tack box lashed down tightly to a komatiq while a team of these beasts works hour after hour under just about any conditions. By now you must have read somewhere how the principle diet is seal and caribou and whale and fish, and that the dogs can work even if not fed on a daily basis and that after freeze up they get their water from the metabolism of fat in their diet and what snow and ice they consume. So in assessing all that they do and are, words like tough, resilient, strong, determined come to mind.
Yet one of the best definitions of the breed, one that speaks to its true nature, was given to us by Bill Carpenter during our recent visit to his Yellowknife home and kennel. In defining the essence of the Inuit Dog, Bill said, "This breed displays an exaggerated response to all stimuli." I am sure that those of you who either own or have experienced working with Inuit Dogs recognize the wisdom of Bill's interpretation. For those of you considering the purchase of one of these magnificent animals, please contemplate thoroughly Bill's insight, before you leap backwards, yes backwards, to meet the challenge of owning this primitive breed. Understanding and accepting the nature of the Inuit Sled Dog is key to successfully living with them.
Wishing you smooth ice and narrow leads.........
Sue