Description

The American Eskimo is a small-to-medium-sized breed that is known for its stark white to cream-colored coat. It looks a great deal like a small Samoyed, but comes in three different sizes. The toy, miniature and standard American Eskimo are all known for having a wedge-shaped head with an equally proportioned muzzle and skull. They have triangular ears that stand erect and a beautifully full tail that curls up over their backs in regal fashion. Their jaws are generally quite strong with close fitting teeth. They are known for having a scissors or pincer bite.

Although the American Eskimo sometimes has blue eyes, this is considered a negative trait in the show world. Blue-eyed Eskies are subject to health problems, such as blindness. Inasmuch, brown eyes are considered the mark of good breeding and good health.

The American Eskimo is known for being a very good companion dog. It is beloved for its intelligence, alertness and spunk. The breed is considered very active and quite loving. They are compact, but built with balance and agility. They are considered quite spirited, but are thought to be very good all-around pets for apartments as well as homes as long as they are properly exercised.

The American Eskimo is believed to have descended from the German Spitz. The name of the breed is thought to have been changed as a result of anti-German sentiment. The breed itself gained much notoriety during the 1930s and 1940s as performance animals in circuses. They are quite adept at learning and mastering tricks, such as walking on a tightrope, which makes them wonderful performers. Although they can and do perform tricks well, this breed is not known for being overly motivated. Training of an American Eskimo needs to begin early and must be delivered with patience.

With its compact size, intelligence and loyalty, the American Eskimo is considered an ideal pet and even a guard dog by many. Its natural agility and alterness combine to make this a very good household breed. Training of an American Eskimo should begin early. They tend to excel in agility training, but they are not overly inclined to perform in all cases. Proper training methods are a must to overcome this.

Coat Description

The American Eskimo is characterized by its double coat that includes a very dense undercoat and a longer coat of hair that grows through it to form the outer coat. The coat of this breed is straight, without curls or waves. The breed has a ruff around the neck that is generally much more noticeable on dogs rather than bitches. The outer ears are typically covered with smooth, short hairs and have longer tufts that grow from in front of the ear openings themselves. Muzzle hair is typically very short and smooth. The backs of the front legs, rear legs and hock are typically feathered. The tail is generally very full and curls up onto the dog\'s back.

History

The American Eskimo is thought to have descended from the German Spitz, which was brought into the Americas by immigrants. The breed\'s name likely changed during World War I because of anti-German sentiment.

The American Eskimo became highly popular in the 1920s and 1930s as traveling circuses showcased their performance talent. Adept at walking a tightrope, these little dogs became a big hit for the likes of Barnum & Bailey.

The Eskie breed was first fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995, but the American Eskimo Dog Club of America had been in existence since the 1980s.

Although they gained renowned as performers, most American Eskimos are kept simply as pets. They do tend to place very well in shows, however, and are quite good with obedience trails.

Temperament

American Eskimos of any size are considered very intelligent, alert and active dogs. They are quite capable and willing to defend and guard their family when it\'s called for. They are generally very good companion dogs for individuals or even full families. They get along swimmingly with children who are well-behaved. Most tend to do very well with company once proper introductions have been given.

This breed does have a very high energy level, which can present problems for those who cannot properly exercise their Eskie on a regular basis. It is very important for these dogs to get the love, affection and attention they crave. These dogs thrive on having something to do. When an American Eskimo is left to its own devices for too long, they can become a little noisy and even a bit destructive. When proper exercise is a part of routine, destructive tendencies tend to be kept in check rather well.

Despite some precautions, the breed is considered as ideal for city-living as it is country dwelling. Properly training and exercising an American Eskimo will generally prevent any disciplinary problems this breed might present. Since they are typically compact, even in the standard size, they can thrive in small places easily.

Although they resist "working," the American Eskimo can be highly trained to perform tricks, stunts or simply just behave. The breed tends to show very well in obedience trials. Individual Eskies might have a stubbon streak, but most can be coaxed into proper training and playing.

On the guard dog front, this breed is considered ideal for homes because of its natural wary behavior around strangers. They have been known to refuse entry to those they do not know. Most American Eskimos, however, make fast friends with strangers as soon as their owners properly introduce them. They are quick to bark at people and things outside that do not belong.

American Eskimos that are well-trained, well-loved and well-exercised are considered perfect the companions and are even ideal for shows and breeding. They are quite loyal, love attention and will aim to please their owners. They might need firm guidance now and again, but their temperment overall is considered ideal for novice dog owners to handle. They are not overly difficult to train.

Thyroid Disease - Medium Risk

The American Eskimo ranks #52 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. While this is not a high risk breed, there is still a good chance of disease transmission through breeding. Therefore, all dogs intended for breeding should be tested first. 

You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here

Other Health Problems

Typically a very healthy breed, the American Eskimo does have the potential for some medical conditions that might be a concern:

• Hip Dysplasia: Also known as, Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD), this condition can cause mild to severe lameness.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This tends to start with night blindness, and slowly becomes total blindness. Eyesight concerns are also strong in Eskies with blue eyes. The trait, although beautiful, is considered a sign of poor health and poor breeding for this reason.
• Weight concerns: This breed can be subject to weight problems if proper exercise does not remain a part of everyday scheduling. Diet and exercise should be a primary concern with this breed.