Greenland’s Qimmit sledge dog has been identified as the oldest known domesticated dog breed, according to a new study published in Science. The research highlights the breed’s enduring relationship with the Inuit people and offers valuable insight into Arctic adaptation and migration patterns. Using DNA from over 90 ancient and modern dogs spanning 800 years, scientists from Ilisimatusarfik University in Nuuk, alongside international colleagues, traced the breed’s lineage and genetic uniqueness.
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By comparing these genomes with more than 1,900 other dog genomes, researchers found that Qimmit form a distinct group closely related to ancient Arctic dogs, particularly a 3,700-year-old dog from Alaska. While other Arctic breeds have been diluted or domesticated, Qimmit have maintained their original role as working sledge dogs. The breed’s survival, despite centuries of European contact, is attributed to both the dogs’ geographical isolation and recent conservation efforts.
Genetic analysis also showed that today’s regional variations among Greenland’s dogs reflect cultural and linguistic divisions among its indigenous communities. Interestingly, the study found almost no European genetic influence on modern Qimmit, underscoring the breed’s genetic purity and cultural significance. Researchers argue this makes the Qimmit a vital model for understanding the effects of human movement and environmental adaptation on domesticated species.
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The study also revealed that Qimmit’s genetic continuity across vast distances supports theories of a rapid Inuit migration across the North American Arctic. With growing threats from climate change and cultural loss, the findings could help shape conservation strategies. “This research lays the groundwork for protecting a breed that has not only historical but also ongoing cultural importance,” the authors concluded.
