As the earliest Europeans to settle in Greenland, the Vikings were first to become aware of these dogs. Then others, like the early European whalers, explorers and fur traders in Canada and North America, learned dog-sledding skills from Arctic natives. These skills were used with great success with the Greenland dog when hunting, exploring and traveling across the Arctic regions. It is thought that the first dogs were brought to Britain around 1750; an Esquimaux bitch was exhibited at one of the earliest dog shows held in Darlington on 29 July 1875, which was reported in the Live Stock Journal and Fanciers Gazette published on 6 August 1875. They were recognized by the Kennel Club at its foundation in 1880. Greenland dogs are classified as Spitz breeds, a group of dogs characterized by their prick ears, curly tails and thick coats and are among the oldest known dog breeds in the world today.