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American Eskimo Dog
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The American Eskimo is a small to medium-size Nordic-type dog,
which looks like a miniature Samoyed. There are three varieties:
the toy, miniature, and standard. The American Eskimo has a
wedge-shaped head with muzzle and skull about the same length.
It has erect triangular-shaped ears, and a heavily plumed tail
curled over the back. The coat is always white, or white with biscuit
or cream markings. Their skin is pink or gray. The coat is heavy
around the neck, creating a ruff or mane, especially in males. The
breed is slightly longer than it is tall.
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Description
Appearance
The Eskie is built along classic Nordic lines, a form that has proved
effective at pulling heavy loads through snow and ice. It is
compactly built, slightly longer than tall. The stand-off, double coat
resists soaking and provides insulation against the cold. The small
thick ears are also cold-resistant. The breed's smaller size has
moved it from the realm of sled dog, but it remains a sled dog in
miniature. The American Eskimo Dog stands furry with erect ears
and a long tail curling over its back.
There are three separate size divisions in the American Eskimo
Dog breed recognized by the American Kennel Club and the
Canadian Kennel Club.
- Toy, 9–12 in. at the withers
- Miniature, 12–15 in.
- Standard, 15–19 in.
Dogs over 19 inches or under 9 inches are disqualified at breed
shows in the US and Canada, in order to discourage the breeding
of oversize or excessively small dogs. The United Kennel Club in
the US does not recognize the Toy variety.
Temperament
American Eskimo Dogs along with other Spitz were bred to be
house dogs and companion dogs, and thrive on being a part of a
human family. The Eskie is highly intelligent, eager to please, very
active, has lots of energy, and moderately independent. At home,
these lively dogs make excellent watchdogs, barking to announce
the presence of strangers. The Eskie can be protective of its home
and family, but in general they will not threaten to attack or bite a
person unless provoked. As with all dogs, behavior is partially
inherited and partially trained. Some dogs are prone to excessive
barking and separation anxiety. It is important for puppy buyers to
research pedigrees as temperament may vary due to inheritance.
Health
Health testing should be performed by all responsible breeders
and anyone purchasing a puppy should be aware of the genetic
problems which have been found in some individuals of the breed,
such as PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), luxating patella, and
hip dysplasia. None of these are common and the breed is
generally healthy.
In addition to the problems above, the breed can have a tendency
towards allergies and tear-staining, and the propensity towards
these traits is inherited.
Grooming and Training
Eskie's double coat needs brushing and combing twice weekly,
more often when their biannual shedding occurs. An undercoat
rake, a tool available at most pet stores, is useful for brushing out
the heavy undercoat. Some owners in hot climates do shave their
Eskies, but if this is done, the dogs should be kept indoors as
much as possible to prevent sunburn. The breed's shedding, along
with its active temperament, results in some dogs being taken to
animal shelters or otherwise put up for adoption. Owners should
contact breed-specific rescue groups that will give advice on
grooming, training or curbing behavioral issues.
American Eskimo Dogs are very energetic and require daily
exercise, the extent of the workout depending on the size of the
dog. Owners can avoid problems by socializing their Eskie through
obedience training or participating in dog sports, such as dog
agility, flyball, and dancing.
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American Eskimo Dog
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Country of origin
Germany
Weight
Toy: 6-10 lb
Miniature: 10-20 lb
Standard: 20-35 lb
Height
Toy: 9-12 in
Miniature: 12-15 in
Standard: 15-19 in
Coat
Double coat
Color
White or cream
Life span
11-16 years
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