They vanished without a trace. Now dogs confirm the existence of the missing community.

Genetic studies have revealed that Greenlandic sled dogs—known in Inuit as qimmeq (singular) or qimmit (plural)—are among the oldest known dog breeds on Earth, with genetic lines dating back as far as 9,500 years.

Experts, who published their findings in the scientific journal Science, analyzed DNA material from 92 individuals—both modern and those from thousands of years ago. Surprisingly, the results provide information not only about the dogs themselves but also about the ancient migrations of Arctic peoples.

Dog DNA reveals new version of Inuit history

Based on analysis of the dog genome, scientists have concluded that the Inuit arrived in Greenland earlier than previously assumed—by as much as 200 to 300 years. This groundbreaking information could significantly alter the chronology of the settlement of the world's largest island.

According to National Geographic, until now, scientists have debated whether the first inhabitants of Greenland originated in East Asia and reached the area via Alaska and the Canadian Arctic, or whether they were Vikings who arrived from northern Europe. New genetic data from dogs clearly indicate that the Inuit were the first to settle in the area.

The reconstructed human and dog migration route leads from Zhokhov Island in the East Siberian Sea, through Alaska and northern Canada, to northwestern Greenland. Moving across the icy landscape, humans relied on sled dogs – the only creatures capable of pulling sleds and assisting with hunting, thus essential for surviving the Arctic climate.

Dog genes reflect the divisions of human societies.

Genetic analyses have shown that the dog population structure closely mirrors the distribution of Inuit settlement groups. The Qimmit of Greenland are divided into four regional lineages: northern, western, eastern, and northeastern. This indicates that the people inhabiting these areas also remained isolated for a long time, forming distinct communities.

Interestingly, the genotypes of dogs from the northeastern part of the island confirm the existence of a community whose archaeological traces have been sparse until now. All indications are that this group disappeared before the arrival of Europeans—possibly as a result of famine or plague.

Although the Inuit had contact with wild wolves and attempted to interbreed them with their dogs, wolf genes left very little trace in the DNA of modern Qimmit. Most likely, the hybrids were not suited to the rigorous demands of sled life—they lacked the necessary temperament or endurance. Only those dogs best suited to the demands of Arctic life survived.

Qimmit – a vanishing treasure of Inuit culture

Sadly, the Greenland sled dog population is rapidly declining. In 2002, there were approximately 25,000 of them, but in 2020, there were only 13,000. Although their role in the daily lives of the Inuit is diminishing, they remain a symbol of cultural heritage and evidence of humanity's remarkable story of survival in the world's most inhospitable environment.

Qimmit are also an important part of global research on the process of dog domestication. Some theories suggest that humans did not domesticate dogs, but rather that dogs adapted to life among humans by approaching camps and seeking cooperation.

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