American Eskimo Dog- What to know buying an Eskie

The American Eskimo Dog is a Spitz-type dog that originated from America.

These dogs are not only good looking but also clever and quick.

They may be a bit conservative but they should never be aggressive nor shy around new people.

The American Eskimo dog is primarily a companion dog that captivates his owner by his intelligence and jaunty personality.

This pooch comes in three sizes and is a bit mischievous and talkative.

But this is not all that he has to offer. For those that are looking to buy or adopt this dog, there is still a lot that you need to learn about him.

If you are looking for more information about this Eskimo dog Mydogsinfo is the right place for you.

In this buyer’s guide, we are going to look at all that a  dog owner needs to know about him before deciding to buy or adopt. From his personality and temperament to his appearance and even how you can best take care of him, we got you covered.

So, why don’t we dive right into it?

About the American Eskimo dog

Also known as the “Eskie” this doggo looks more like a white miniature Husky that is a bit reserved.

This doggie has black eyes and a sweet expression.

He has an uncanny ability to solve problems and excels in when doing things that require him to think critically. This also makes him a very trainable dog.

If you are planning on adding this dog as a member of your family, you need to be prepared to keep him busy. They excel in busy and playful households because of their high drive and energy.

From taking him to training classes, competitive games, hikes, and other activities, there are so many things that the American Eskimo dog is good at.

Many people that own this dog claim that he can talk to them because of how vocal he is, as he mumbles, owls, and even barks.

You also need to keep in mind that these dogs are avid chewers and not providing them with a chew toy may be a big mistake. Chew toys will not only prevent them from chewing on your house essential but they also help in dental health.

But where exactly did this beautiful dog come from?

American Eskimo dog history

Contrary to what his name may have you believe, the American Eskimo dog was not developed by Eskimos. German immigrants in the upper midwest of the US created this pooch.

These German immigrants owned farms in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota where they had brought German Spitz type dogs with them.

The dogs had thick coats, curly tail, and perky ears.

Over time, these dogs were refined into a flashy white doggo that had quick wits and great looks. They would soon find their way into vaudeville acts and circuses.

However, they were initially bred to be all-around farm dogs and their roles later changed as it became more challenging to keep them in farms and the show and circus businesses were booming.

Did you know that the most famous Eskie, named Pierre, was a tightrope walker in the Barnum and Bailey circus?

After the first World War, this dog’s name was changed to the “American Eskimo” thanks to anti-German sentiments. This moniker was changed to honor a breeding kennel in Ohio that had the same name.

Today, these dogs are mainly kept as companions rather than working and farm dogs.

Breed recognition

The American Kennel Club only recognized this pooch in 1995 although he has a long history of working in American farms.

UKC had recognized this doggo earlier on in 1913 and established its first breed standards for him in 1958.

In 1970, the National American Eskimo Dog Association was formed.

Pros and cons of the American Eskie

Pros

✓ These dogs are super playful and cheerful.

✔ They are highly intelligent and very trainable.

Cons

✘ Taking care of this pooch requires a lot of time and attention.

✗ Their talkative nature may be a nuisance for many of the dog lovers.

✘ They can be destructive if they are not provided with enough mental and physical stimulation.

General appearance and characteristics of the American Eskimo Dog

Dog breed size

The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes namely;

• Standard
• Miniature
• Toy

Miniature Eskimo dogs have a height of between 12 to 15 inches and can weigh anywhere between 10 to 20 pounds.

The Standard Eskie has a height that can vary from 15 to 19 inches and can weigh between 25 to 35 pounds.

Toy Eskies have a height of between 9 to 12 inches and can weigh between 6 to 10 pounds.

Physical appearance

This is an utterly adorable doggo that will melt your heart with this great looks and beauty thus well representing his name “the beautiful dog.”

The American Eski is a compact dog that has an intelligent expression with well-balanced frames.

They have a smooth gait and with black pointed and triangular ears.

Their alert and expressive eyes are black and slightly oval. They also have black noses, lips, and eyelids.

Coat appearance of the American Eskimo

These pooches have a double coat that consists of a dense undercoat and long and soft overcoat.

This coat should only come in two colors which can either be all white or cream.

However, should also exact these doggos to shed al year-round with two heavy shedding season when it starts getting hot. They are also not hypoallergenic and are not suitable for people that commonly suffer from dog dander-related allergies.

Temperament and personality traits of the American Eskimo

This is a canine friend that not only has great looks and beauty but also has a great personality to add to it.

Eskies have been companions for years and have become very people-oriented dogs.

They are happiest when they are around their families and other friends occasionally and may suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. Leaving them for extended periods can also cause them to become destructive.

Most Eskimo dog owners that been known to own 2 eskies for them to keep each other busy when they are left alone. They can play with each other and reduce the risk of them suffering from anxiety.

This dog also needs to be kept busy because he is full of mischief when he is not. Coupled with his tendency to chew on things he can cause complete chaos in your houses if you fail to do so.

American Eskimo dogs are very intelligent dogs that thrive in activities that prompt them to use their brains.

He can be suspicious and reserved around strangers and should be socialized to remove any timidness they may have.

Eskies are not aggressive dogs but they can keep strangers from entering your house by being vocal.

Owning an Eskie means that you will never have a dull moment as he will always look for ways to keep a smile on your face.

This may sometime result in him being mischievous.

Novice dog owners may have a hard time dealing with his hyper activeness but this can be dealt with through training. If you are a first-time dog owner you should also consider seeking advice from a professional dog trainer.

How does the American Eskimo fare as a family dog?

The American Eski is a great family dog with intense loyalty to the people he loves.

They get along with children and other pets. However, you should always supervise the play between this dog and small children as he can become overwhelming for them during play.

You can live with him in an apartment as long as you meet his daily exercise requirements.

Their tendency to bark and yowl can also be a nuisance to some people, something that you should consider if you have neighbors that live close to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Miniature dog cuddly? 

The American Eskimo Spitz is a cuddly and sweet dog that forms great bonds with his owner and other family members. They love to cuddle a lot but you should never forget to meet their daily exercise quota.

Should you shave an American Eskimo dog? 

The coat of an American Eskimo should never be shaved as it serves as an insulation for them when it is hot and also protects them from the cold. With that said they will still require regular and proper grooming with several visits to the groomer.

Does the American Eskie love to chew and bite? 

American Eskimo Spitz is an avid chewer and just like any other dogs, they love to bite on things too. You should buy them lots of chew toys to redirect their biting instincts but you should never punish them.

American Eskimo dog puppies

An Eski dam can have an average of between 4 to 6 puppies.

These puppies can take between 9 to 12 months to reach their full weight and height but still maintain their playfulness for longer.

The puppy growth chart below will help you get a better understanding of the American Eskimo Dog growth with age.

Note: This is only an estimate. 

To get an American Eskimo Dog you should be ready to pay about $600. The price could go even higher for superior pedigree and top breed line puppies.

Some people acquire Eskies without having the idea of what it takes to own one and many end up in dog rescue shelters. These dogs would also love to have a place to call home and adopting one is the best way to achieve this.

Adoption is the best way to acquire an American Eski and it will also save you money.

Check your local shelter to see if you can be lucky enough to get one of these pooches.

The Heart Bandits, the American Eskimo Dog Rescue is a great place to start your search for a rescue dog.

Grooming an American Eskimo Spitz

The white fluffy coat of American Eskimos may be recognizable and adorable but they shed a lot.

Brushing them about 3 times a week can help get rid of any loose hair and therefore reduce shedding. This also helps to prevent matting a tangling which happens a lot in these dogs.

Brushing should reach the undercoat for you to distribute the oils and keep the coat shiny.

This coat should never be shaved as it acts as an insulator to them when it is hot and protects them from the cold.

They should only be bathed at most once in a month.

You should note that overbathing them could get rid of the essential coat oils and cause the skin to dry and become itchy.

Their eyes and ears should be cleaned often to prevent infections. Dental hygiene is also important and it can be done by brushing their teeth and by using dental chew toys.

Exercise requirements

The American Eskimo Dog is high energy and super active dog that need to be mentally and physically stimulated.

About 60 minutes of exercise should be enough.

You can challenge them physically by taking them for games, walks, and even going to hikes and jogs. Trick training and playing mind games such as puzzles can help put their minds to work and therefore mentally stimulating them.

You can take your time to teach him new tricks and commands to test their mental abilities.

Failure to meet their daily exercise requirements could lead them to become barky and even destructive.

Nutritional and dietary needs of the American Eskimo Dog

Eskies love to eat and they require a nutritious and high-quality diet.

The amount of food that you give to this pooch will depend on the following;

• Their age
• The size and build
• Activity level
• Metabolism

Depending on how much your ball of fluff weighs you can adjust his calorie requirements accordingly. About 20 calories for every pound that this dog weighs should be enough.

You should visit your veterinarian for any dietary changes that you may have in mind.

This is because some of them can be allergic to some foods such as salmon and visiting your vet can help you choose the best raw diet for this canine.

Constantly weigh them to make sure that he does not get overweight or even obese as it can be hard to know what is going on beneath that thick fluffy coat.

Training an American Eskie

This dog is intelligent and eager to please which makes him very trainable.

They learn new commands and tricks easily and excessive in intensive training such as agility training.

However, the best way to achieve the best results is by using reward-based training and positive reinforcement. This can be done by showering them with praises and treats because they are highly food motivated.

The training sessions should be kept short and interesting and you should also not be afraid to get creative coming up with new ideas.

Keeping the sessions engaging can also help you achieve a lot from your training. The more energetic and engaging the training is the better it will be.

American Eskimo Dog health concerns

Generally, the American Eskie is a healthy dog and you can easily tell this from how long he lives.

The American Eskimo dog has an average lifespan of between 13 to 15 years.

However, just like any other canine, he may also be susceptible to some health complications such as;

• Hip and elbow dysplasia that result when the joints are not formed correctly which can cause lameness and a lot of pain to the dog.
• Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap is dislocated from the normal position in the femur’s groove.
• Addison’s disease is a hormonal complication caused by the insufficient production of aldosterone, adrenal gland hormones, and cortisol.

Breed summary

The American Eskimo Dog was developed by German settlers in the upper midwest of the United States where they were mainly used as farm dogs.

They later got their way to the entertainment scene and could be found in circuses and other dog shows.

Today, they are mainly companion dogs that are playful and cheerful.

However, they have a high maintenance requirement and maybe too much for some people that do not have so much time.

They should also be kept active through exercise and play.

Did you fall in love with the American Eskimo Dog? 

You can share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below and also leave us some questions that you may have.

There you go, WOOF!

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