The Canadian Eskimo Dog should always be powerfully built, athletic, and imposing in appearance. It should be of "powerful physique giving the impression that he is not built for speed but rather for hard work." As is typical of spitz breeds, it has erect, triangular ears, and a heavily feathered tail that is carried over its back. Males should be distinctly more masculine than females, who are finer boned, smaller, and often have a slightly shorter coat.

Its superficial similarity to wolves was often noted by explorers during the Coppermine Expedition of 1819–1822. They noted that the ears of the Eskimo dogs they encountered were similar to those of American wolves, and their forelegs lacked the black mark above the wrist characteristic of European wolves. The most sure way to distinguish the two species was said to be through the length and posture of the tail, which was shorter and more curved in the dog.

A proud breed by any name, this breed has survived in some of the harshest terrain in the world, sharing the struggle, and later the accomplishments, of its human counterparts in survival and adventure. Eskimo dogs have served nearly all the famous names in arctic and Antarctic exploration. Beautiful, proud, loyal and kind, the Canadian Eskimo Dog (CED) was historically a draft animal and all around worker.

The breed was used for sledding and packing, and also as a hunting dog for the Inuit. In some parts of the Canadian North these dogs are still found sniffing out seal-breathing holes or holding the polar bear at bay during hunts. It would be hard to envision the ancient Inuit people coping with the polar conditions without these dogs.

Canadian Eskimo Dogs need a very large amount of exercise. They cannot just be walked, they need higher intensity work, requiring more exercise than many dog owners can give. This need for work and stimulation also makes them well suited for dog sports, such as carting, mushing, and skijoring. They are very trainable and submissive, unlike many spitz breeds, as well as intelligent.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is best kept in a cold climate, and is prone to heatstroke. Its coat is fairly easy to care for most times of the year, needing brushing only one or two times a week. However when it sheds (which happens once a year) it will need grooming every day.

Historically, Inuit would put their dogs to the harness as soon as they could walk, and would acquire the habit of pulling sledges in their attempts to break free. At the age of two months, the pups would be placed with adult dogs. Sometimes, ten pups would be put under the lead of an older animal which, coupled with frequent beatings from their masters, would educate the pups.