Dog Breeds: American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog is quite common in North America, but it's not always called the American Eskimo Dog. It is often referred to as the Eskie or even the Spitz. This dog looks very much like a smaller version of the Samoyed, but it actually has more in common with the German Spitz. Despite the name, the American Eskimo Dog has nothing at all to do with Eskimos. Nothing at all.

This energetic breed was likely brought over to North America by the first German settlers. These settlers used the Spitz-type dogs for all sorts of things on the farm. They were excellent herders, perfect guard dogs, and could even help find a lost child if the need arose. Because of these varied talents, the dog thrived even while other breeds encountered trouble. Centuries later, sometime in early 1913, the dogs were registered with the United Kennel Club (UKC) by Mr. and Mrs. Hall. The kennel run by the Halls was called "American Eskimo". Because the little white dogs had a very Nordic look, the name was eventually applied to the breed itself.

The National American Eskimo Dog Association was formed in late 1969 and the studbooks were closed for new additions. This controlled the breed profile, assuring that all dogs admitted to the breed were of a certain standard. In 1985 the American Eskimo Dog Club of America was formed for the express purpose of gaining AKC recognition for the cute little dog, but this recognition didn't actually occur until mid-1995 when the American Kennel Club (AKC) decided to admit the breed for championship purposes.

This bouncy breed comes in three different sizes, ranging from toys (which stand no more than 9 to 12 inches tall) to standard (which may be up to 19 inches tall). Dogs outside this range cannot be shown. This means there is an American Eskimo Dog for everyone. Everything about this dog conveys energy. The head is wedge-shaped and constantly moving. The ears are perky and forward-facing. The tail is typically plumed and carried curled over the back while the legs are sturdy and powerful, giving the impression of a dog that never stops. As they are quite high energy, this describes them perfectly.

The coat is always a brilliant white, though you may sometimes encounter an American Eskimo Dog with biscuit colored markings. The skin is always pink or grey while the eyelids, nose, lips, gums, and pads should all be black. Other colors are undesirable. The coat itself should never curl or wave. Instead it is incredibly fluffy due to the thick undercoat; this coat needs to be brushed once a week to keep the dog comfortable. Eyes can be of almost any color except blue. Blue-eyed dogs are disqualified in the show ring.

The American Eskimo Dog is a dog that loves family life. They are excellent with children because they are loving and sturdy, meaning the can tolerate some of the rougher play children are known for. They are highly intelligent and incredibly protective, making them excellent watchdogs. They don't really like strangers, so take care when introducing new people. This dog needs plenty of exercise, so they aren't always suited to apartment life. An under exercised American Eskimo Dog can being hyper and will often spin in circles constantly. This is not a good sign, so exercise your dog.

Like many carefully-bred dogs, the American Eskimo Dog does have its own set of health problems. Hip dysplasia is common, so have a vet check out a new puppy carefully. This breed is also prone to progressive retinal atrophy. This is a fancy way of saying many dogs have eye problems. Check the eyes and tear ducts carefully. If a dog seems overly teary, that dog may have eye trouble. For some reason, many American Eskimo Dogs are allergic to fleas and they all gain weight just a little too easily. Keep your home free of fleas and exercise your dog and these problems shouldn't surface.

The other problem this dog encounters is heat. They don't like to get hot. So make sure your dog has somewhere cool to retreat to in the warm summer months. Plenty of water and sometimes even a large ice block will be needed to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Though the larger dogs have sometimes been used for sledding, the American Eskimo Dog is really more of a companion dog today. They'll sometimes be used for narcotics detection, and they can be seen competing in agility and obedience trials, but most are simply house pets. If you lead an active lifestyle and need someone to join you, and you don't mind a dog that sheds quite a bit, the American Eskimo Dog might be for you.