AMERICAN ESKIMO DOG
APPEARANCE
The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes, and this includes the toy American Eskimo Dog, the miniature American Eskimo Dog, and the standard American Eskimo Dog. The coat color is white, or white with cream or biscuit markings. The toy is around 9-12 inches in height, and weighs in at around 6-10 pounds. The miniature version is around 12-15 inches in height, and weighs around 10-20 pounds, and the standard is around 15-19 inches in height, and weighs in at around 25-35 pounds.
PERSONALITY
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. The American Eskimo Dog can get bored easily if not kept entertained, and this can lead to destructive behavior. You should bear in mind that the American Eskimo Dog loves to bark and dig, and therefore may not be the best choice for those looking for a peaceful lifestyle.
TRAINING
American Eskimos are considered incredibly smart, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to train. It is suggested that training in basic housebreaking, obedience and agility, if desired, begin as quickly as possible after an Eskie is brought home. When obedience problems are present with this breed, consistent reinforcement of proper behavior is generally the way to go. The American Eskimo Dog is quite gifted in guarding, performing tricks, competitive obedience, agility, and narcotics detection.
EXERCISE
This breed must have regular daily exercise. A perfect workout involves at the very least a good, long daily walk. At least 20 to 45 minutes. American Eskimos love to play and run and tend to do very well with both agility and obedience training, which can double as exercise. American Eskimos are also known for their ability to perform tricks, so some spirited fun might also be in order.
SOCIALIZATION
You should find that the American Eskimo Dog gets on well with older, considerate children, and should be okay with other dogs and pets, although they can be predatory when around smaller creatures such as birds and rodents. They are suspicious and wary of strangers and make good guardians of their family and home. The American Eskimo Dog can also have a jealous streak when it comes to other animals getting attention.
LIVING CONDITIONS
The American Eskimo can live comfortably in an apartment but needs adequate exercise. Ideally it should have a small yard. The American Eskimos can tire themselves out playing in an enclosed back yard. Find a favorite toy, such as a ball, and an owner will get to see just how much energy even the smallest American Eskimo has.
GROOMING
The American Eskimo Dog has a beautiful, flowing coat that needs to be brushed approximately twice a week, particularly when shedding. A coat like the American Eskimo has can easily become tangled and matted if a proper brushing routine isn’t established and maintained. It is not necessary to bathe these dogs on a regular basis. Do take care to clean out their ears and remove hair, dirt and any wax build up that is troublesome. Their paws should be inspected regularly and nails trimmed as needed.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the American Eskimo Dog is around 13-15 years. Typically a very healthy breed, the American Eskimo does have the potential for some medical conditions that might be a concern: canine hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy.
HISTORY
The American Eskimo Dog originates from the USA and is a member of the Spitz group. It has been bred solely to be a loving companion and hardy watch dog. The breed was first registered with the AKC in 1995.
