American Eskimo breeders emphasize the importance of early socialization for this breed. This involves exposing puppies to various environments, people, and experiences to help them develop good social skills.
American Eskimo dogs are highly intelligent and active, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended.
They are also known to be excellent watchdogs, thanks to their alert and suspicious nature. This breed is naturally wary of strangers, making them great guard dogs.
Their thick double coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, and they shed heavily during shedding season.
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Breed History
The American Eskimo breed has its roots in ancient times, with some historians claiming that the Spitz family of dogs is the ancestor of all domestic breeds.
The American Eskimo Dog is a member of the Spitz family, a group of Nordic dogs known for their fox-like faces, profuse coats, and small, pricked ears.
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German immigrants brought their white Spitz dogs to the United States, where they served as watchdogs and family pets. They were most likely descendants of the white German Spitz, white Keeshonden, or large white Pomeranians.
The American Eskimo breed was developed from these early Spitz-type dogs, which were highly valued for their intelligence, trainability, and charming personalities.
In the 19th century, American Eskimo Dogs became popular performers in circuses, where their white coats and agility made them a hit with audiences.
The breed's name was changed from American Spitz to American Eskimo in 1917, likely due to anti-German sentiment during World War I.
The American Eskimo Dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1913 and by the American Kennel Club in 1995.
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Temperament and Personality
The American Eskimo breed is known for its friendly and outgoing temperament, making them a fabulous best friend. They form strong attachments to their people and want to spend every moment with their loved ones.
Eskies are highly trainable and excel in obedience and agility activities. They are eager to please their owners and less independent than some other northern working breeds.
Their lively and playful nature ensures they can be great playmates for children, but they can be wary of strangers and may not be the best choice for homes with small children, other dogs, or pets unless well supervised.
Regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial to prevent mischievous behavior in Eskies. A bored American Eskimo Dog can wreak havoc on your home and yard.
These extroverted pups require a confident owner who can take charge in teaching and leading them. They learn quickly, however, so training is fun and highly successful.
Eskies are naturally suspicious of strangers, making them an excellent watchdog. However, this also means they can suffer separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.
Early socialization is key to helping your Eskie make new friends throughout their life. If they've had plenty of socialization as puppies, they can live well with cats, other dogs, and kids.
Their beautiful coat requires frequent grooming to prevent matting. Prioritizing regular grooming and exercise will ensure your Eskie's health and happiness.
Care and Upkeep
The American Eskimo breed is a high-energy pup that requires regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They need a good workout every day, with the extent of the workout depending on their size.
A larger Eskie needs a good jog or long walk, while a smaller one is fine with a vigorous game in the yard or short walk. They love cool weather, which makes them perfect for families who live in areas with mild climates.
Eskies have a thick double coat that needs brushing and combing twice a week, with more frequent grooming during shedding season.
Upkeep
The American Eskimo Dog's double coat needs brushing and combing twice weekly, more often when shedding. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting and tangling.
Eskies love cold climates and will play in the snow for hours. They're not suited for life in the backyard, and they're happiest when they're with their family.
To prevent separation anxiety, it's best to avoid leaving your Eskie alone for long periods of time. When you do leave, put him in a crate with plenty of sturdy toys to keep him occupied.
A good workout every day is a must for Eskies, with the extent of the workout depending on the size of the dog. Larger Eskies need a good jog or long walk, while smaller Eskies need only a vigorous game in the yard or short walk.
Health
American Eskimo Dogs are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Many of these issues are hereditary, so it's essential to find a reputable breeder who screens their puppies for potential problems.
Hip dysplasia is a common issue in American Eskimos, where the hip joint isn't formed properly, leading to difficulty walking and potentially worsening over time. Treatments like pain medication, joint supplements, physical therapy, or surgery may be recommended.
Patellar luxation, where the kneecap can shift sideways, can also occur in American Eskimos. Genetics play a significant role in this condition, and in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Mild cases can be treated with joint supplements or medications.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative disease that can cause blindness in American Eskimos. This condition is inherited and can't be treated, but the good news is that it's not painful or life-threatening. Dogs with PRA can still lead happy lives.
Juvenile cataracts can also develop in American Eskimos, causing vision loss. This condition is thought to be hereditary, and in some cases, surgery may be an option.
Here are some health clearances you should expect to see from a reputable breeder:
- OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) clearance for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better)
- OFA clearance for elbow dysplasia
- Clearance for hypothyroidism
- Clearance for von Willebrand's disease
By finding a reputable breeder and staying on top of your Eskie's health, you can help prevent or manage these issues and ensure your furry friend lives a happy and healthy life.
Feeding
Feeding your American Eskimo Dog is crucial for their overall health and happiness. They require 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Their daily food intake depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog.
The quality of dog food you buy makes a difference - the better the food, the less of it you'll need to give your dog.
Personal Hygiene
Regular grooming can improve your dog's long-term health by helping you detect early signs of issues that may require a trip to the veterinarian.
Bathing your dog regularly is an essential part of grooming, and it's a great opportunity to bond with your dog.
Grooming sessions allow you to ensure your dog is in good condition, which is crucial for their overall health.
Regular brushing can help prevent matting and tangling, making it a vital part of your dog's grooming routine.
Training and Behavior
The American Eskimo breed is known for its trainability and eager-to-please personality, making them a joy to train.
Their intelligence and willingness to learn mean they can pick up tricks quickly, and with positive reinforcement, you can teach them as many as you want.
Training is a great way to bond with your American Eskimo puppy and help them develop good household manners, starting with basic behaviors like sit, stay, and come.
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6. Pomimo
The Pomimo is a playful and intelligent breed that requires regular grooming to keep their thick, long fur healthy. They need to be brushed daily.
As a relatively small breed, the Pomimo rarely reaches 20 pounds, making them a great choice for families with smaller living spaces. Their moderate energy level means they need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Here's a quick rundown of the Pomimo's physical characteristics:
The Pomimo's lifespan of 12-15 years is a long-term commitment that requires careful consideration. They are generally very affectionate towards their owners and enjoy spending time with their family.
15. Eskifon
The Eskifon is a unique breed that forms close bonds with its family, especially one or two people. They may be wary of strangers but are happy and enjoyable dogs.
One of the key things to consider when training an Eskifon is their moderate to high grooming requirements. This is because they inherit traits from their parent breeds, such as the American Eskimo Dog and the Brussels Griffon.
To maintain a healthy weight, Eskifons require daily exercise. This is crucial, especially for those with a low to moderate energy level.
Here are some key characteristics of Eskifons to keep in mind when training and interacting with them:
Their loyal nature makes them great companions, but it's essential to remember that they may be wary of strangers.
[Training]
The American Eskimo Dog breed is a training heavyweight - they can learn a wide variety of tricks, including walking on a tightrope.
Training is a perfect way to bond with your American Eskimo puppy, as they are eager for your attention and love to please. They can even learn by watching other dogs!
To start training, focus on basic behaviors like house-training and household manners, such as sit, stay, and come. These are great places to begin.
Use positive reinforcement like treats, toys, and praise to encourage your pup. This will keep you both from getting frustrated.
A good puppy preschool that uses positive reinforcement can help you and your puppy start off on the right path.
Physical Characteristics
The American Eskimo Dog is a stunning breed with a unique appearance. Its double coat is a defining feature, with a fluffy undercoat and a longer, more profuse top coat that repels dirt and water.
Their ears are small, upright, and triangular, while their eyes are medium-sized and dark brown, with dark brown or black eye rims and snow-white eyelashes. Their nose is broad and either dark brown or black, giving them a distinctive Nordic-type face.
The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, with the standard size often mistaken for small Samoyeds. Their coats are white, with some dogs having shades of biscuit cream colors.
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Here are the key physical characteristics of the American Eskimo Dog:
- Ears: Small, upright, and triangular with slightly blunted tips.
- Eyes: Medium-sized and dark brown, with dark brown or black eye rims and snow-white eyelashes.
- Nose: Broad and either dark brown or black.
- Coat: Double coat with a fluffy undercoat and a longer, more profuse top coat.
- Coat Color: White, with some dogs having shades of biscuit cream colors.
- Tail: High-set, long, and fluffy.
Huskimo (Siberian Husky)
The Huskimo, a cross between the Siberian Husky and the American Eskimo Dog, is a dog breed that's not for the faint of heart. They can grow to be 21-24 inches tall.
These dogs are built for action, with a weight range of 40-60 pounds. Their high energy level means they need plenty of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. They're likely to live for 10-13 years, which is a good thing considering how much work they are.
Their thick double coat requires regular brushing and grooming to prevent matting and tangling. They're also very vocal, thanks to their Husky parents.
General Appearance
The American Eskimo Dog's general appearance is a true reflection of its Nordic heritage. Its well-balanced body is a square shape, with a wedge-shaped head and erect triangular ears.
Its double coat is thick and white, with a distinctive lion-like mane on the chest, neck, and forepart of the shoulders. This coat is typically more profuse on males than females.
The American Eskimo has a plumed tail that is richly covered with hair and carried over the back. With its alert, smooth carriage, the dog presents a picture of natural beauty, strength, and agility.
Here are the three sizes of American Eskimo Dogs:
- Standard: often confused with small Samoyeds
- Miniature: often mistaken for white Pomeranians
- Toy: also often mistaken for white Pomeranians
Their eyes are medium-sized and dark brown, with a slight oval shape and snow-white eyelashes. The nose is broad and either dark brown or black, with dark brown or black eye rims.
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Size
The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard.
Toys stand 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh around 10 pounds.
Miniatures stand a bit taller, ranging from 12 to 15 inches, and weigh about 20 pounds.
Standards are the largest of the three, measuring between 15 and 19 inches in height and weighing approximately 30 pounds.
Gait
The American Eskimo's gait is a notable aspect of their physical characteristics. They are a trotting breed, which means they move at a pace that's faster than a walk but not as fast as a run.
Their stride is quick, agile, and well-timed. This makes for efficient movement, which is beneficial for a dog that's meant to be active.
As they trot, their gait is balanced and vigorous, with good reach in the forequarters matched with a strong rear action drive in the hindquarters. This balance is key to their overall movement.
Their topline remains strong, level, and firm when moving. This is a testament to their athletic ability and agility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an American Eskimo dog cost?
The cost of an American Eskimo dog ranges from $600 to $2,000, depending on bloodline and breeder. Learn more about their monthly costs and estimated lifetime expenses.
What is the average lifespan of an American Eskimo?
The average lifespan of an American Eskimo Dog is 12 to 17 years. With proper care, they can live a long and healthy life.
Sources
- American Eskimo Dog (petkeen.com)
- American Eskimo Dog & Puppy Breed and Adoption Info (petfinder.com)
- Eskie Rescuers United (eskierescuers.org)
- Heart Bandits, the American Eskimo Dog Rescue (heartbandits.com)
- The American Eskimo Dog Club of America (aedca.org)
- American Eskimo Dog: Characteristics, Care & Photos (chewy.com)
- For more information on this breed, please visit the National American Eskimo Dog Association (naeda.org)
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