American Eskimo Dog: temperament, size, care and health

About the American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog is a compact spitz with erect triangular ears, a plumed tail carried over the back, a dark nose and eyes, and a brilliant white coat. It comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard, which together span a wide range of height and weight. The numbers in the fact sheet cover all three, so a toy and a standard Eskie are very different armfuls even though they look alike.

Despite the name, the breed has no link to Arctic peoples. It is a companion and watchdog, bred to be close to its household and to notice everything. People keep it for its brightness, its handsome looks and its willingness to learn almost anything it is shown.

Temperament and family life

Eskies are affectionate with their own family and dislike being left out of daily life. They are sensitive dogs that can become anxious, destructive or noisy if isolated for long hours. Toward strangers they are reserved and suspicious, and they sound off at visitors, passers-by and unfamiliar sounds with a sharp, carrying bark.

With respectful children the breed is playful and generally patient, and the standard size copes better with energetic play than the toy. Herding-style nipping can appear in young dogs. Many Eskies get along with other dogs and cats when raised with them, though a dominant streak shows up in some.

Exercise and training

This is an active, thinking dog. A long walk or a decent play session each day is a minimum, and it benefits from tasks as well as exercise. Obedience, agility, rally and trick training suit it well, and the breed has a long record of performing in these roles. Puzzle toys and learning new commands keep it occupied.

Training is usually rewarding because the Eskie learns quickly and enjoys the attention. Positive, upbeat methods work best. The risk is that an under-stimulated dog applies its intelligence to unwanted projects such as digging, escaping or barking at everything. Teaching a quiet cue early is more effective than trying to stop the barking altogether.

Grooming and shedding

The thick double coat repels dirt better than people expect, and mud often dries and brushes out. It also sheds steadily and then blows out its undercoat heavily once or twice a year, when handfuls of fluff come away. Brushing several times a week, and daily during the shed, keeps it in check. Expect white hair on dark furniture and clothing.

The coat should not be shaved, as it insulates against heat as well as cold and may grow back poorly. Tear staining is visible on a white face, so wiping the eye area helps. Trim nails regularly and check the ears and teeth.

Health

Eskies are generally sturdy and live long for their size. Conditions seen in the breed include hip dysplasia in the larger sizes, patellar luxation in the smaller ones, progressive retinal atrophy and other inherited eye disease, and skin allergies. Some lines show dental crowding in the toy size and obesity if feeding is not watched.

Responsible breeders screen hips, knees and eyes and can discuss results for the sire and dam. This is general information about the American Eskimo Dog, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed descends from the white German spitz that European immigrants brought to the United States, and was developed there as a watchdog and companion. Its bright, trainable nature made it a favorite in traveling circuses in the early twentieth century, where it performed tricks and walked a tightrope. The name American Eskimo came into use around the First World War, when anti-German feeling led owners away from names such as American Spitz, and the United Kennel Club had adopted it by 1919. The breed's German spitz relatives have since diverged under different standards.

Is the American Eskimo Dog right for you?

The Eskie suits an active household with time for training and company, ideally with someone home much of the day and a tolerance for noise and white fur. The toy and miniature sizes work in apartments if barking is managed and neighbors are close by.

It is a poor match for owners who want a quiet dog, who dislike brushing or who spend long days away. People who like the look but want a calmer dog might prefer a Keeshond, while those wanting a larger, even more cold-loving white spitz could consider the Samoyed. The Pomeranian offers the spitz character in a much smaller package.