American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog, also known as “Eskie,” is one of the beautiful Nordic spiz names known for its shining pure white double coat, sharp vixen-like face, and outstanding cleverness.

They are small in size but still quite nimble in movements and are said to have been born in Germany. However, they became well known as circus performers in America.

Physical Characteristics

American Eskimo Dogs have a lovely Nordic look that comes from their brilliant white double coat which is a mixture of a dense undercoat and longer outer guard hairs.

Some of their main features are having erect, triangular ears, dark, oval-shaped eyes that are slightly and also black points on their nose, lips, and eye rims that by themselves are quite noticeable but when combined with the white coat they create a nice contrast which basically makes the whole look of the dog be very elegant.

They have a compact, well-proportioned body that is somewhat longer than high, with a wide chest and a heavily plumed tail that is curling over the back in a very elegant way.

The cape around the neck which is quite a spectacle to behold turns these guys into a kind of kings of the jungle while at the same time the ruff is helping the one admiring to realize that it is a dog of nobility and at the lower part of the legs is where the animal is getting the most from its silhouette due to the leg feathering.

Temperament / Personality

Generally, these brainy and loving pups are mainly recognized by their eagerness to please their owners and as a result of this and on the other hand, their stubbornness, one is very sure of what a strong family-behavior that ESPs can have.

Eskimos are definitely on their guards and that is the main reason why they are excellent watchdogs; they are very sensible and will let you know when you are about to have a visitor by means of barking, but this will never turn into aggression.

They can be shy in front of new people at first but get friendly fast with the proper socialization.

Their great bright minds take them into learning actions quickly, but they, at the same time, can become quite obstinate if that energy is not utilized well.

Eskimo really wants to be a part of the family and the best thing that they can do is give their people the fullest attention, not to do this will most probably end with behavioral problems to be faced by the dog if the time of solitude is too long

Health

An eskimo dog is mostly free of health problems but they live for a good 13-15 years, they are however susceptible to a couple of conditions.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a genetic eye disorder, which leads to the loss of sight gradually with night vision becoming difficult first.

Dental disease affects nearly 80% of canines by the time they are two years old and is specifically widespread in this breed.

Patellar luxation (dislocating kneecap) is a situation which the dog may start to limp and may find it difficult to walk.

Besides these issues, the dog can be troubled with the Hip dysplasia, Epilepsy, and Hypothyroidism as well.

Good and regular vet visits plus doing genetic testing for your dog or if you plan to buy from a reliable breeder can identify these diseases early and help in their treatment.

Grooming

Though American Eskimo Dogs have a gorgeous coat, they also come with moderate grooming necessities.

2-3 times a week they need brushing to stop the coat from matting and to pull out the hair that is going to be shed.

On a day when the dog is losing a lot of hair, brushing should be more frequent.

Bathing should be done regularly but only when the occasion requires it which ensures a very nice white coat of the dog.

Their nails should be properly maintained via regular trimming, and dental care that is daily teeth brushing is very important because of their susceptibility to dental disease.

The only trimming that is allowed is that of the feet and the rear pasterns – trimming of the body is highly discouraged in the show.

Exercise

American Eskimos love to be on the move and should be given a 30-50 minute exercise routine on a daily basis.

Playing inside can satisfy some of the energy requirements of the toy varieties but it is a fact that all sizes gain a lot from regular walks, interactive games, and mental stimulation.

Among others, these dogs do very well at agility training, obedience work, and learning tricks because they are smart and athletic.

If they are not given an adequate physical and mental exercise, they are likely to become destructive or will bark excessively.

They are most happy when doing activities that challenge the both their body and mind and dog sports is one such activity that they do well with.

Training

One of the most clever and highly intelligent dogs in the world is the American Eskimo dog. In fact, one of the best ways to get a good response out of them is through positive reinforcement methods involving praise and treats.

Socializing at an early age is very important to them if they are to avoid fear of unfamiliar people and to also have a good temperament.

Their background in the circus makes them the perfect performers who are always eager to learn new tricks and follow the commands given.

Mong their brains are also the stubbornness trait which can only be curbed by a consistent, firm, but gentle type of training.

Their ‘home’ like the crate is the place they are most comfortable and hence, crate training is a good aid in housebreaking.

Nutrition

American Eskimo Dogs are required to be fed a healthy diet that contains high-quality proteins, good fats, and is enriched with the necessary minerals and nutrients if they want to maintain their energetic way of life.

Their meals on a daily basis should mainly be meat such as chicken, turkey or fish while the fatty acids from omega-3 and omega-6 should be the source of the skin and hair.

How much food is given, the dog size and age as well as the activity level should vary in such a way that the toy varieties are required to eat less than the standard ones.

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be excellent sources of vitamins and minerals.

A situation of overweight must be guarded against since it is the cause of the breed to be susceptible to joint diseases and is a major problem.

Several smaller meals during the day can also contribute to the prevention of bloating.

Suitability

American Eskimo Dogs are great family pets and they are the most suitable companions for kids. They are loved by the children as they possess a playful, gentle, and patient nature.

They, in turn, are extremely loyal and loving, and the bond that they form with their human family members is so strong that they cannot live without being a part of their daily routine.

If they are provided with enough exercise and mentally stimulated, then they really can become good neighbors in an apartment, if that is the case where they are not disturbing the neighbors with their barking.

Because of their barking and strong request for attention, they are more suitable for homes where somebody is there all the time.

They normally get along well with other pets of similar or larger size but they can be aggressive towards small animals.

Families with older kids who can manage the space and give them proper training are the best ones to have them as pets.

Notable Facts or Fun Facts

The American Eskimo Dog used to be a circus dog and that is quite a little known fact about their history.

These beautiful white dogs were the highlight of the circuses that were on tour around the late 1800s and early 1900s.

A famous Eskie named Stout’s Pal Pierre got to be the first dog to perform the tightrope walk ascending with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, thus making history.

In fact, there are families of American Eskimos today, whose dogs come from the lineage of the skillful circus performers of over a hundred years ago.

In truth, German Eskimo Dogs or better known as American Eskimo Dogs have nothing in common with the Eskimo people, and they are actually native to Germany.

Before they were known as the American Eskimo Dog, this breed was called German Spitz dogs, but due to the anti-German sentiment during World War I, the name was changed to “American Eskimo Dog”.

If you ever get to see an Eskie, the predominantly white fur of which has lovely cream-colored highlights, that’s known as “biscuit cream” coloring.

It is quite surprising to realize that your family’s pet may be the descendant of those famous performing dogs who once captivated circus audiences all over the USA.