5 Distinctly Canadian Dog Breeds

In Canada, dogs were first kept by Aboriginal people. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized the following  uniquely Canadian dog breeds: 




The Tahltan Bear Dog 
 This breed is now  considered to be extinct  by many authorities.
The Tahltan Bear Dog is a small dog that originated in  the Pacific Northwest of  Canada. Named after Tahltan tribes, these intelligent hunting dogs were seen around their camps as they were essential for their existence. The dog was raised to fight and hunt game like ptarmigan, beaver, porcupine,elk and a variety of other game but they were specialists in hunting bear. Working in pairs, one dog would annoy the bear from front while the other attacked from behind. They kept the bear at bay until the hunters came and finished the job. Though its exact origin is unknown, the Tahltan Bear Dog is speculated to have descended from the dogs of the settlers during the prehistoric migrations. This dog has existed in the remote mountain areas of northwestern British Columbia and Northern Yukon for hundreds of years.

The Canadian Inuit Dog

A dog of the Canadian Arctic, the Canadian Inuit Dog is called ‘Qimmiq’ by the Inuit. The breed proved popular with Arctic explorers and earned a reputation as a sled dog that could pull the heaviest loads over the greatest distances on the least amount of food. As snowmobiles gained favour, the number of Eskimo Dogs declined dramatically. In the 1970s, a project headed by William Carpenter and funded by The Canadian Kennel Club, the Canada Council and private individuals saved the breed from extinction. 

 The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  This Lively and energetic breed was developed in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century to toll (or lure) and retrieve waterfowl. The tolling dog runs, jumps, and plays along the shoreline in full view of a flock of ducks,occasionally disappearing from sight and then quickly reappearing, aided by the hidden hunter, who throws small sticks or a ball for the dog. The dog’s playful actions lure the curious ducks within gunshot range. The dog is then sent to retrieve the downed bird. This breed is  is highly intelligent, easy to train, and has great endurance. It is  also the official dog of Nova Scotia. 


The Newfoundland and Labrador retrievers.

 The Labrador Retriever, also known as simply Labrador or Lab, is one of several kinds of Retrievers,  a type of gun dog.   Labradors are athletic, playful, and the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Denmark, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US (since 1991)A favourite Service  breed in these and other countries, Labradors are frequently trained to aid people who are blind and people with autism, act as therapy dogs, and perform screening and detection work for law enforcement and other official agencies. They make a great hunting dog and of course , a great family pet.

Newfoundland 

The Newfoundland is a large, strong breed from  Newfoundland.  They  were originally used as a working dog to pull nets for fishermen and haul wood from the forest. They are a capable and hardworking dog, well suited to work on land or water. They are a strong swimmer and equally strong "pack horse." Sweet-natured and responsive, they make a wonderful family companion as well. The Newfoundland is a giant breed (about 100 pounds). Though relatively placid, they still need daily exercise to keep fit.  I know a few of these adorable slobbery dogs and they are like huge friendly teddy bears. Intelligent too! 

 

Newfoundland Landseer

 Also originating in Newfoundland, This dog was skilled at towing nets in for fisherman and rescuing drowning people. The dog Nana in Peter Pan , often portrayed as a St. Bernard, was meant to be a Landseer.  Many kennel clubs consider the Landseer to be simply a black-and-white variant of the Newfoundland but the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes it as a separate breed. This separate breed is called Landseer European Continental Type (E.C.T.). The dog is named after the British Painter Sir Edwin Henry Landseer because in 1838 he created this painting  which shows a dog of this breed.

 Bonus Breed:  Ganaraskans

Ganaraskans are small dogs that originated in Canada where they were commonly used as therapy and companion dogs. This is a fairly new breed, and as such, it has not been recognized by any major kennel clubs (as of 2015). Currently, the only known nicknames for Ganaraskans are Gannys and Ganaraskan Terriers. Ganaraskans were developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were named after the Ganaraska River in Ontario where the dogs were most commonly found. Originally, Ganaraskans were developed for the sole purpose of becoming therapy dogs. However, as their popularity increased, they also became popular family pets and companions. They were created by crossing Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Bichon Frises and English Cocker Spaniels. Through careful breeding, many breeders claim that they have been breeding true Gannys for the past 19 years (as of 2014). While the breed is not currently recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, the Canadian Ganaraskan Breeders Association Maintains records of true Gannys.


 Do you own a Canadian Breed? Share your story !

Canine Activities

Not all dogs are satisfied with just a walk around the block.  Although  dogs often do love  a nice cuddle on the couch, there are many ways to spend time with your dog both in and out of the city.  Some of the  awesome things your can do with your dog include Agility,  Flyball,  Search and Rescue training,  Frisbee, swimming, canoeing/boating, hiking, running, cycling,  sledding , Obedience, Rollerblading, camping,  hunting, tag,  the list goes on. Some activities depend on the size of the dog, others are pretty universal, like a good game of fetch.
 What is your favorite activity  you love to do with your dog?

Dog Off Leash Areas in Toronto

Some dogs are great off leash, others, not so much. Regardless, there is a bi-law  (#608) that states all dogs must be on a leash  ( 6ft maximum) unless they are in official DOLAs
 (or Dog Off Leash Areas) provided and maintained by the City of Toronto.  While most dog owners know their own dog and can judge where and when to let their dog off leash, its good to know there are safe enclosed areas, often with a water fountain , where they can let their canine friend romp and play with out worrying about traffic, people or other hazards.  Here is a list of DOLAs around Toronto . Remember there are also regulations within the DOLA, for example, bitches in heat and unneutered males, and Pitbull breed dogs are not allowed. Also, in some areas,  commercial dogwalkers  are prohibited.  I  once actually  witnessed a woman leave her German Shepherd in the DOLA  while she went to go pick up her laundry!  I guess she figured no one would dare steal a 80 lb German Shepherd!

What's your favorite dog park in Toronto? What makes it special?  Some are huge , like High Park, and some are as small as a backyard . Some of my favs include Whychwood Barns, Alan Gardens , Baird Park and Barbara Hall Park. 
 Anyways, enjoy the list! Some are awesome community's where you can meet great people and fun dogs. Go explore ! I'm sure your Canine companion will love it. The City of Toronto made this cute poster regarding dog etiquette around picking up your dog poop.  VIEW POSTER.

North York District

Bayview Arena Park 3230 Bayview Ave.

Earl Bales Park 4169 Bathurst St.

G. Ross Lord Park 4801 Dufferin St.

Linkwood and Spanbridge Park 400 Linkwood Lane

Sherwood Park The main park entrance is located at 190 Sherwood Avenue. The dogs off leash area lies within a fenced off trail area. Please follow posted signage through the trail.

Sunnybrook Park Below the Sunnybrook Hospital, on the west side of the West Don River.

Woburn Park Northwest section of the park. This area is fenced off. Woburn Park is located just east of Bathurst off of Cranbrooke Drive.

Yonge and York Mills 4070 Yonge St., north of York Mills on the west side of Yonge St.

Toronto & East York District

Allan Gardens (west end) 160 Gerrard Street East, Gerrard & Jarvis Street

Barbara Hall Park 519 Church Street at Wellesley Street East 

Bickford Park 400 Grace Street at Harbord Street

Cassels Avenue Playground 69 Cassels Avenue at Brookside Avenue

Cedarvale Park 1611 Bathurst Street at Lonsdale Road

Cherry Beach (at the foot of Cherry Street )

Clarence Square 25 Clarence Square

Coronation Park 711 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

 Craigleigh Gardens 160 South Drive.

David Crombie Park 131 to 171 The Esplanade at Lower Sherbourne Street

Don Valley Brick Works 550 Bayview Avenue

Gerrard Carlaw Parkette 855 Gerrard St. E.

Hideaway Park 23 Audley Ave.

Hillcrest Park 950 Davenport Road at Christie

Kew Gardens 2075 Queen Street East at Lee Avenue At the foot of Lee Avenue, on the beach delineated by fencing

Merrill Bridge Road Park 1 East Lynn Ave.

Monarch Park 115 Hanson Street at CNR tracks

Norwood Park 16 Norwood Road, Woodbine & Gerrard Street

Oakcrest Park 30 Oakcrest Avenue at Woodbine Avenue 

Greenwood Park 150 Greenwood Avenue at Dundas Street East

Orphan's Greenspace 51 Power St

Park Drive Reservation Lands 200 Park Drive at Mt. Pleasant Road

Ramsden Park 215 Avenue Road

Riverdale Park East 550 Broadview Ave

Riverdale Park West 375 Sumach Street at Carlton Street, southeast of Riverdale Farm

Silver Birch Park From the foot of Silverbirch Ave. to the foot of Nursewood Rd.

Sir Winston Churchill Park 301 St. Clair Ave. W.

Sorauren Avenue Park 289 Sorauren Ave.

South Stanley Park 845 King Street West at Adelaide

Stan Wadlow Park 888 Cosburn Ave.

St. Andrew's Playground 450 Adelaide St.W.

Thompson Street Parkette 120 Broadview Ave

Trinity Bellwoods Park 790 Queen Street West at Shaw Street

Vermont Square 819 Palmerston Ave. (Bathurst & Dupont area)

Wildwood Crescent Playground 110 Wildwood Crescent (Gerrard & Woodbine area)

Withrow Park 725 Logan Avenue at Danforth Ave.

Wychwood Car Barns Park 575 Christie St. (Christie St. and Benson Ave.)

Etobicoke & York District

Beresford Park 400 Beresford Ave.

Colonel Sam Smith Park (RL Clarke WT Plant), 1 Colonel Sam Smith Park Dr

Don Russell Memorial Park Birmingham Street at Faustina Drive

Earlscourt Park 1200 Lansdowne Ave.

High Park (designated area) 1873 Bloor Street West at Parkside Drive

Humber Bay Park West 2225 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

King's Mill Park 105 Riverwood Parkway (South of Bloor)

Marie Curtis Park 2 Forty Second Street, Lakeshore and Browns Line

Sir Casimir Gzowski Park 2001 Lakeshore Blvd. W.

Scarborough District

Botany Hill Park 277 Orton Park Rd.

Colonel Danforth Park 130 Old Kingston Rd.

Frank Faubert Wood Lot (Hand of God Park) 185 Borough Drive

L'Amoreaux  1900 McNicoll Avenue (at Silver Springs Blvd. and McNicoll Ave.)




Scarborough Heights Park 27 Fishleigh Drive

Thomson Memorial Park 1005 Brimley Ave.

Warden Woods Park Pharmacy Ave. (Entrance on Pharmacy, north of Teesdale Place)

 

Greetings and Welcome to Dog Blog Toronto! DBT is what we hope to become a comprehensive guide and companion to all things Canine in the urban metropolis of Toronto.  Our vision is a vibrant community of dog lovers sharing , learning , being entertained and most importantly enhancing the lives of their dogs and the relationship they have with them.  We welcome all feedback, and are committed to making this a positive space where everyone feels welcome.
If we were a dog, this Blog would be a happy go lucky Golden Retriever crossed with a hyperactive , intelligent Border Collie  (with some ultra cute Poodle mixed in of course) ! we hope you enjoy perusing this blog.
 Woof!

 Kali,
Toronto.