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Do you think an American Eskimo Dog may be a good fit for you? Or do you simply want to learn more about these intriguing, fluffy white dogs? This article has all of the information you need, and delves into everything from their history and breed standard, to their health issues, personality, and nutrition.
Although the American Eskimo dog shares many similarities with other Spitz breeds, there are various characteristics that set them apart from the crowd. They have their quirks and foibles, so read on to learn how to best care for them and how to get the most out of them as a pet.
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Size
Toy, Miniature, and Standard
Weight
Toy: 9 - 12 in (23 - 30 cm)
Miniature: 12 - 15 in (30 - 38 cm)
Standard: 15 - 19 in (38 - 48 cm)
Height
Toy: 6 - 10 lbs (2.7 - 4.5 kg)
Miniature: 10 - 20 lbs (4.5 - 9 kg)
Standard: 25 - 35 lbs (11 - 16 kg)
Colors
Pure White (most common)
White with biscuit cream markings
Size of home
Apartment: Possible for Toy and Miniature if exercised daily
House with yard: Best for standard Eskies due to higher energy levels.
Exercise
The American Eskimo breed need around 45 - 60 minutes of walks, agility, playtime and obedience training. They are energetic and intelligent, so mental stimulation is as important as physical activity.
Grooming
The American Eskimo has a dense double coat. They shed moderately throughout the year and more heavily during seasonal changes. Brushing should be done 2-3 times a week, and daily during shedding seasons. Eskies can be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks.
There are toy, miniature, and standard varieties of the breed and size depends on which one we’re discussing. The Toy dogs measure up to 22-30cm at the withers and only weigh about 3-5kg. Mini varieties measure more like 30-40cm and weigh around 5-8kg. The larger Standard American Eskimo Dogs stand at 40-50cm tall and will weigh anything from 8-16kg.
Most breed members have a white fur color, but it can be cream too. This is quite different to the similar-looking German Spitz dog, which has a wide variety of coat colors in their repertoire including black and grey.
They have a thick double coat. The outside is more harsh, while their undercoat is soft and velvety soft. They have a ruff of fur around their neck and very thickly covered tails. In contrast, their face has quite short fur.
The body of the American Eskimo Dog is sturdy and compact. As with other Spitz dogs, they have a pointed ‘fox-like’ face and a tail that curls over itself. Their ears are like little triangles on top of their head and they’ve got dark, black eyes.
This is a fun and energetic dog that enjoys spending time around people. They can bring much entertainment to a family, acting like the court jester at times!
They tend to get on well with children, but do need to be raised around them from a young age. Similarly, they are happy to live in families with other dogs, as long as they have had thorough socialization with them in their first few months of life.
American Eskies are docile and kind-natured, eager to do as is asked of them and to not make a fuss. Most are obliging and compliant, and enjoy being trained to a high standard and performing commands and tricks.
Indeed, as they have a history of being performing circus dogs, this should come as no surprise! It was in their ancestors’ DNA to be clever and biddable, and to please the humans around them.
Circuses were a big attraction 100-150 years ago, and these dogs were one of the main attractions. They could jump through hoops, obey commands, dance, perform in comedy acts and even tightrope walk. The puppies would then be sold on to the audience after the show, and they could go for good money.
Interestingly, despite their name, this is not an American breed, nor do they have anything to do with inuits. They are close relatives to the German Spitz, and were actually once called the American Spitz. They were brought to America some time in the early 1800s. Keen to distance themselves from all things German after the World Wars, the breed was named as the American Eskimo Dog by the Americans.
The Pomeranian and Keeshond are also thought to be close relations, and will have similar temperaments and appearances. These are dogs known for making excellent watchdogs, but also well-rounded family companions.
The UKC officially recognised the breed at the start of the 20th century, and their breed standard was published about 4 decades later.
They are acknowledged by a range of other international dog clubs, including the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The American Eskimo dog is not yet recognised by the UK Kennel Club. For this reason, some dogs are classed as German Spitz in the competition ring, though they really aren’t the same breed!
These dogs have a sweet and loyal personality, as well as being independent and smart as a tack. They possess a good mix of many character traits, meaning they are adaptable and can fit in nicely in many homes.
Most will form a stronger bond with the person in the home that shows them the most attention and feeds and walks them, but will enjoy the company of everyone in the household. They are affectionate and good-natured, cheerily snuggling up to whoever asks when it comes to having some downtime in the evening.
They are always on alert and tend to bark at passers-by, so can make for noisy, yappy neighbours. If someone is welcomed into the home by the humans, they usually follow suit.
Their intelligence is a double-edged sword and there is the potential for them to develop anxiety and behavioural disorders. With enough mental enrichment and engagement, they should make well-rounded adults. If not given enough to keep them busy, you may find they develop issues such as excessive barking or clinginess.
As mentioned, they typically get on well with other animals. However, if they’ve never spent time around them they are likely to be intolerant. For this reason, if planning to live in a multi-pet household, ensure they are positively introduced to other animals in their first few months of life. They are accepting of cats and don’t generally chase them like other breeds may.
This little dog makes for an excellent training partner. This is true even for novice owners. They are primed to want to do what is asked of them, and get real enjoyment from entertaining people and performing well.
A little sensitive, they do best with positive, reward-based training. If they are told off harshly, they may become reluctant to participate in future training sessions. Always reward good behaviour with encouragement, praise and training treats. This is true even for adult and senior dogs- training is not just for puppies.
It is not uncommon to struggle with some defiance or a stubborn streak. This is usually linked to inconsistent training, unrealistic expectations and a lack of a ‘carrot’.
Be sure to make the training worth your dog’s while, using high value treats like chicken, jerky, or whatever they really love.
With the right trainer, they can excel in a wide range of disciplines, whether that be canine dance, agility or trick training.
American Eskies are quite energetic, and like to be kept busy both inside and outside of the home. They are a small dog but this does not mean we can ignore their exercise needs. A solid one to one and a half hours a day is a good place to aim, and you want to vary up the activities, including scenting sessions, hikes and playtime with other dogs (if this is something they enjoy).
Many American Eskimo Dogs are agile and energetic indoors, happy to jump about and run with the children. This is to be encouraged, and is another lovely way for them to exercise. In the yard, consider setting up small agility courses and scattering treats for them to sniff and find.
The thick double coat of the American Eskimo dog breed means they cannot be seen as a low maintenance choice when it comes to grooming, but they do need less care than many other small breed dogs.
Avoid over-bathing as this will quickly strip the natural oils from their skin and can lead to dry skin, flakiness and itchiness. They should not need to be bathed more than once every 6 weeks or so. Never use shampoos designed for human skin, as dogs have a different skin pH to us, so this can cause irritation.
They’ll shed quite a lot twice yearly, and during this time, you’ll need to brush them several times a week. I recommend doing this outdoors, if you don’t want your vacuum to get clogged with loose hairs! When not shedding, brushing twice weekly is often adequate. Focus on the areas that can be prone to matting, such as armpits, groin and behind the ears.
This clever breed has developed so they do not have very long facial fur. This means it is easy to maintain hygiene, and they don’t tend to get mats, tangles, or dirty fur after eating.
They can, however, be prone to tear staining and a reddy-brown fur colour under their eyes. It is especially easy to spot on the background of their white fur. This can be reduced by bathing the under eye area once daily with rose water and then patting dry.
Dogs with erect (stand upright) rather than pendulous (droop down) ears, are much less prone to ear infections. They have better ventilation in their canals and there will be less moisture and humidity. Ears can be left alone if not prone to issues. If the dog does develop infections, owners may then need to start cleaning them every fortnight or so.
Many owners would class their American Eskie as a ‘fussy eater’. The truth is, these are just dogs who tend to be good at controlling their calorie intake. If they’ve eaten a dental stick and some training treats in the morning, they may well stick their nose up at their dog food later on that day. As long as they’re a healthy weight and active, don’t worry if they choose to skip a meal now and then.
Beware of obesity, and try to ensure any treats or chews make up no more than 10% of their diet. Over-feeding these higher calorie, ‘tastier’ options can lead to unwanted weight gain. Small breeds like this one are prone to obesity. Implications can include a reduced quality of life, joint pain, and a shortened lifespan.
The ideal diet should contain moderate to high levels of protein. This supports optimal muscle growth and maintenance. We do not want them to eat too many carbohydrates, as this can encourage obesity and possibly hyperactivity too.
Some Eskie dogs will have food allergies, and these can present as itchiness, paw licking, bloating, and diarrhea. Most develop the first symptoms around the age of 1 or 2. Some of the more common trigger foods include chicken, beef, dairy, eggs, wheat, and peas. When a food allergy is suspected, owners can offer a hydrolyzed or novel protein diet for 8 weeks, to see if signs improve.
Most breed members live into their early teens and enjoy good health. Having said this, there are a number of medical issues that owners and potential owners should be aware of.
Several of these conditions can be screened for before a liter is even bred, which is one of the most important reasons to purchase puppies from a reputable breeder who health screens the parents.
This eye condition is also known as ‘PRA’. Over time, the affected dog develops a pain free blindness that is irreversible. Early signs include trouble seeing in dim light, and a reluctance to go into dark places. Sadly, there is currently no cure.
The smaller jaw of the American Eskimo Dog means many middle-aged and older dogs will have gingivitis and periodontal disease. Symptoms include bad breath, a preference for softer foods, and visibly red gum. Even with advanced dental disease, dogs rarely go off their food. So just because a dog continues to eat, does not mean they are free of oral pain.
Once dental disease has been established, dogs need dental cleaning performed under a general anesthetic. To maintain good oral hygiene, it can help to brush teeth daily (something to get your dog used to from puppyhood) and to use plaque reducing treatments such as powders that are put in the water or meals.
When a dog develops dislocating kneecaps, their owner may notice that they hop along for a step or two on their walks, before walking normally again. There are four grades of this condition, with Grade 4 being the most serious and causing permanent dislocation. For dogs with a Grade 3 or 4 luxation, surgery is usually the way to go.
The condition is identified on an orthopedic exam and can be confirmed with X-rays. For those American Eskimo Dogs diagnosed with lower grades of luxation, they can often be well managed with weight management (where needed), anti-inflammatories, and controlled exercise.
This painful orthopaedic disease is diagnosed in juveniles and causes the head of the femur bone to degenerate. Signs show up in the first year of life, and you’ll notice your dog is becoming progressively more lame and uncomfortable. As the dog uses the affected limb less, the muscles begin to waste away and the skelton become more prominent.
Those who are badly affected might require surgery to remove the remaining femoral head or completely replace the hip joint, as well as ongoing pain relief, anti-inflammatories and physiotherapy.
Epilepsy is a diagnosis of exclusion. It means that the dog has seizures, but there is no identifiable cause for them - such as a recent poison ingestion, infection, or brain tumor. All dogs with epilepsy have seizures- though the duration and frequency varies vastly from one to another.
Most patients will be managed with ongoing anti-seizure medicine, and they need to have regular monitoring and blood tests to ensure they are on the correct dose. Most epileptics can live normal lives, once we can get their seizures under control.
The American Eskimo Dog breed makes a fantastic family pet, slotting in well to busy households and even in homes with young children. They do need to have people around, so would not suit a home where they have to be left alone for long periods. They do need moderate exercise every day, so keep this in mind if you do not currently lead an active lifestyle.
All three types of American Eskimo dog are quite small, meaning they can do well in smaller homes and apartments. This is, as long as they are being brought outside each day for some fresh air. They have a tendency to be yappy, so this has to be considered if there are neighbours very close by.
An American Eskimo puppy should be happy to spend time in your company, though they may be a little shy at first. They should have been well socialised with other people and not shaking or cowering away for the duration of your visit.
Watch out for ‘red flag’ signs of poor health such as stunted growth, prominent ribs, squinted or crusty eyes, or general weakness.
Choosing between a boy or girl is a personal decision, but consider if you want to breed them, and if you already have pets at home. It’s a good idea getting a dog of the opposite sex than the one already living in the home, to reduce the risk of conflict or territorial aggression.
This pedigree costs from around $200-$2,000, though may be more expensive if from a breeder who has health-screened their parents for genetic disease such as PRA and juvenile cataracts.
Keep in mind that the purchase price is really just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll want to be confident that you can also afford their food, insurance, vet bills, and accessories for 12+ years to come!
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