The Last Dogs of Winter

During polar bear season, visitors to Churchill, Manitoba in Canada are sometimes treated to an exceptional sight: wild bears peacefully sharing a barren strip of coastal land with a large number of chained dogs. These tourists are seeing not just one, but two endangered species. The Canadian Eskimo Dog, or Qimmiq, was once the indispensable companion of nomadic Eskimos, but almost died out because of neglect and active extermination. In 1950, there were some 25,000 dogs, but by 1970 just a few hundred were left. Since 1976, the breed has been kept going by a handful of dedicated people, including the subject of this film, a true phenomenon: Brian Ladoon. This former sailor developed a passion for the only breed of dog that can survive at minus 60. "These dogs have such a pack mentality that you can walk through the valley of the shadows of death and fear no evil; they will protect you like you wouldn't believe!" he explains. In spite of his great work, his neighbors aren't all thrilled about Ladoon: he's not much of a people person. Ladoon's critics are concerned about the dogs' primitive living conditions and express fears that they attract cuddly looking but dangerous polar bears. In addition to angry neighbors, shortage of funds is also a problem. The film celebrates an enduring passion between a man and his dogs, and shows the often surprising nature of a unique relationship between wild and domesticated animals.