The American Eskimo Dog is a loyal and smart companion that’s classified within the non-sporting group. This dog breed is known to be playful but also a great watchdog. If you want to learn more about this doggo, then keep reading.
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| American Eskimo Dog Breed Overview | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Eskie, The German Spitz, The Dog Beautiful, American Eskimo Spitz, Miniature Eskimo Dog, Toy Eskimo Dog, American Spitz, Standard Eskimo Dog |
| Height | 9 - 19 inches |
| Weight | 6 - 35 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13 - 15 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Temperament | Loyal, Intelligent, Energetic |
| Suitable For | Active families, households with children, households with other pets |
History Of The American Eskimo Dog
American Eskimo Dogs did not get their name from Indigenous people known as “Eskimos.” The name came from a breeder in Ohio. Before American Eskimo Dog, this breed had a German name: the German Spitz.
This particular breed is a Nordic breed that was brought over to the United States with the Germans. Germans arrived in Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin with this small white dog when America was being developed in the Midwest.
By the end of the 19th century, American Eskimo Dogs worked on farms, but other talents and skills were realized. Due to their intelligence and agility, this dog breed joined traveling circuses, vaudeville troupes, and Wild West shows.
Fun fact: America’s most famous performing dog was an American Eskimo Dog named Pierre. He was a tightrope walker for the Barnum & Bailey Circus.
During all this time, the breed was known as the German Spitz. When America joined World War I, the name was officially changed to American Eskimo Dog. Then, in 1995, the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed.
What Does The American Eskimo Dog Look Like?
American Eskimo Dogs can be small to medium pups. This breed comes in three different sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard.
Toy Eskies can grow to be about nine to 12 inches tall and weigh between six and ten pounds. Miniature Eskimo Dogs can grow to be about 12 to 15 inches tall and weigh between ten and twenty pounds. Finally, Standard American Eskimo Dogs can be 15 to 19 inches tall and weigh between 25 and 35 pounds.
According to the AKC’s breed standard, this doggo looks alert and strong while showing off its beauty.
They are well-balanced with triangle-shaped ears, slightly oval eyes, and a plumed tail that’s carried loosely on the back.
Overall, it has a compact body with a deep chest. Its legs are well-proportioned with the rest of the body. This doggo shows off its grace and beauty while having great agility, strength, and personality.
Finally, they have a medium double coat with straight hair. Their coat is not curly or wavy. American Eskimos have a dense undercoat with a longer guard coat forming the outer coat.
What Coat Colors Does The American Eskimo Dog Have?
Their medium double coat can come in two colors: white or white & biscuit. However, this dog breed typically is an all-white breed, you may see some variations with a bit of cream mixed with the white, giving it a white & biscuit coat color.
American Eskimo Dog Pet Care
Anyone would be lucky to have this dog breed as part of the family. However, American Eskimo Dogs have varying needs, like every other dog breed. Let’s discuss the overall American Eskimo Dog care.
Grooming
American Eskimo Dogs won’t be an ideal breed for people with allergies. It’s not hypoallergenic, as it sheds a lot. To keep the shedding under control as best you can, you’ll need to brush your Eskie’s fur at least two to three times per week.
You can bathe your American Eskimo Dog once in a while, but only if they get truly dirty or smelly. Too many baths for this breed can cause their skin to get oily and irritated.
In addition to keeping up with brushing their coat, you’ll also need to regularly trim their nails, brush their teeth, and clean their ears.
Diet
As with all dog breeds, the American Eskimo Dog needs high-quality dog food to be healthy and thrive. They’re energetic, so something high in protein will be a good idea, too.
Before feeding your dog any type of food, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about it. They’ll be able to recommend the best food for your pup.
You can provide your Eskie with dry kibble, wet canned food, or homemade dog food. No matter what you feed your pup, ensure the food is appropriate for their breed size, age, weight, and metabolism.
Search high-protein dog food here.
Exercise
If you’re looking for a fun, active companion, then this breed is a good option. American Eskimos are energetic and athletic. They’ll always want to play, inside or outside the house. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation every day.
A large, fenced-in yard is a great idea so you can play games of fetch and run around with your dog off-leash. However, you should never leave your Eskie outside by themselves. Once they get a scent, it can be hard to recall them, even if the yard is fenced in.
In addition, this doggo prefers to be with its humans. So, they won’t enjoy being outside alone for too long.
With that said, they can get separation anxiety. You can leave them home alone for a few hours (crate training is a good idea). However, if they get bored, American Eskimo Dogs can become destructive.
So, if you’re going to be out most of the day, hiring a professional dog walker or bringing them to doggy daycare is a good choice.
Training
American Eskimo Dogs are highly trainable. They’re intelligent, love to learn, and are eager to please their owners.
Whether you’re an experienced dog owner or a novice dog owner, this pup should be relatively easy to train. You can also make training fun by turning it into a game.
Also, training is an excellent mental stimulation for this dog. Even if your doggo knows its commands, it never hurts to have a refresher session once in a while.
Health
To keep your American Eskimo Dog happy and healthy, you’ll need to bring them to the vet at least once a year for its annual check-up.
During their first year, as a puppy, bring them to the vet more often. You’ll be able to keep track of their growth and development while keeping them up to date with their vaccinations.
However, this doggo is prone to certain health issues. For example, they can get the following:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Juvenile Cataracts
- Patellar Luxation
- Diabetes
With proper care and regular vet visits, American Eskimo Dogs have an average lifespan of about 13 to 15 years.
Temperament Of The American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is an excellent addition to any family. Whether you have young children or not, this doggo will get along well with them.
However, this breed does have a big personality. So, young kids should always be supervised when playing with the dog. The dog needs to be trained to be gentle with children, and the kids also need to learn boundaries with the dog.
When it comes to strangers, Eskies can be reserved. They can get along well with new people with proper socialization and training.
Overall, American Eskimo Dogs are friendly, family dogs. They’ll get along with all the household members, with or without children.
In addition, they’re an active breed. So, they’ll enjoy having a family that takes them out on family outings. Eskies are prone to separation anxiety, so you’ll need to plan ahead of time if they’re to be home alone for a few hours.
Crate training is ideal to ensure your pup is safe and calm. However, for long periods, you can ask a trusted family member, or friend, or hire a professional dog walker to check in on your doggo throughout the day. Alternatively, to help socialize your pup, you can bring them to doggy daycare for the day.
Are There Any Differences Between Males And Females?
There aren’t many differences between the genders of this dog breed. However, males have been known to be more difficult to potty train, while females have been known to be needier.
Who Should Own The American Eskimo Dog?
Anyone can own this wonderful dog breed. However, due to their activeness and exercise needs, they may not be the right choice for seniors.
Where Can You Get An American Eskimo Dog?
You should be able to find this doggo wherever you can adopt dogs. First, check out your local animal shelter or breed rescue organization.
These places may have an American Eskimo Dog for sale as a puppy, adult, senior, or mixed breed.
It’s great to go through these places first because most of these dogs were abandoned by their previous owners. They need a forever, loving home.
To start, you can check out Heart Bandits, an American Eskimo Dog Rescue group.
Alternatively, you can go through an American Eskimo Dog breeder. You’ll be able to know where the dog came from and their genetic history and receive a puppy if that’s what you desire.
An ethical breeder will:
- Not allow the puppies to leave their mother before eight weeks old
- Meet with you in person to get to know one another (and you can meet the dogs and litter)
- Socialize and train the puppies as early as possible
- Get the puppies up to date on their vaccinations
- Help you every step of the way, answering any questions you have
In addition, they’ll also have health certifications for you to ensure the mother, father, and puppy is as healthy as can be. If not, the breeder will be transparent about it.
You can find ethical breeders registered on the AKC Marketplace.
No matter where you get your dog, please adopt responsibly.
Question Corner: FAQs About The American Eskimo Dog
Are you convinced to get this pup yet? If you need to learn more about this breed, read through the frequently asked questions about the American Eskimo Dog breed answered below.
What’s The Average Cost Of The American Eskimo Dog?
The average American Eskimo Dog price is between $150 and $300. This cost may vary depending on the breed’s popularity, the number of puppies in the litter, the dogs’ lineage, and more.
What’s The Average Litter Size Of American Eskimo Dog?
The average litter size of this dog breed is about five puppies in one litter. They can have less than five, but not usually more than five.
Are American Eskimo Dogs Good Pets?
Yes, this dog breed is an excellent pet. If you have young kids or other pets in the home, the American Eskimo Dog will adapt well and get along with everyone.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark A Lot?
Yes, they do bark a lot. Eskies love to be heard and talk a lot. If you’re looking for a quiet breed (or live in an apartment), this doggo might not be the best choice.
Are American Eskimo Dogs Good For First-Time Owners?
Eskies are suitable for first-time owners. They’re a small breed, so they’re easier to handle. In addition, they’re intelligent and easy to train. However, they can be stubborn and require a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
Can American Eskimo Dogs Be Left Alone?
They can be left alone for short periods. However, they can easily get separation anxiety or bored if they are home alone for too long. Crate training is ideal here, or you can bring them to doggy daycare for the day.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Shed?
Yes, this breed sheds quite a bit. You’ll need to regularly clean your home and brush its coat to keep the fur under control.
Are American Eskimo Dogs Hypoallergenic?
No, Eskies are not hypoallergenic. They don’t drool much, but they do shed a lot. This dog breed isn’t allergy friendly.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Smell?
Luckily, this breed doesn’t have an odor to them. You won’t need to worry about them smelling your home or giving them frequent baths to smell nicer.
Can American Eskimo Dogs Live In Hot Weather?
American Eskimo Dogs can live well in hot climates but may do better in cooler climates. Keep in mind signs of overheating and monitor your dog’s temperature in extreme heat or cold.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Like Water?
Believe it or not, this doggo loves the water. Especially in the summer, they’ll enjoy having a kiddie pool where they can splash.
Do American Eskimo Dogs Like Snow?
Yes, this doggo has Nordic ancestors, so they enjoy playing in the snow quite a bit.
Is The American Eskimo Dog Right For You?
There’s a lot to love about this dog breed. If you were thinking about getting a smaller dog to add to your family, then the American Eskimo Dog may be the one for you. However, ensure you don’t have allergies and can handle their exercise needs.
Rachel Poli is a content writer and author, but her real job is being a stay-at-home pet mom. Her zoo currently consists of a dog, a cat, two turtles, and two fish tanks. She’s also an avid pet sitter for a few local families, caring for various animals.
After realizing how little information there is for pet sitters on the internet, Rachel decided to start her own animal website. She strives to educate pet parents and pet sitters about the overall care of our furry friends.