American Eskimo Dog Appearance, Character and Care

The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of dog developed in America from European breeds and is recognized for its artistic abilities.
Country of origin: USA
Size: miniature/small / medium
Height: toy – 22.9-30.5 cm / small – 30.5-38.1 cm/standard – 38.1-48.3 cm
Weight: 2.7-15.9 kg
Age: 13-15 years
FCI breed group: not recognized

Basic information about the American Eskimo Dog

This breed was developed in the USA, its ancestors are dogs of various origins and sizes, including quite large ones, such as the Keeshond and Samoyed . The animals that inherited their traits are divided into three types – toy, miniature and standard.

• Despite its name, the Eskimo Spitz has nothing to do with the Eskimo people. The etymology has not been precisely established, but it is possible that the reason for it could have been a humorous nickname.
• Although most of the parent breeds come in a variety of colors, the American Eskimo Dog is predominantly white or has a pleasant biscuit-colored coat.
• You can often hear the name “cloud spitz”, given because of the resemblance to a cloud.
• The most famous of these clever pets was their participation in circus performances. They were, and still are, performers in many troupes, demonstrating complex tricks to the public. The most famous of them is considered to be Stout’s Pal Pierre from the Barnum and Bailey Circus, famous for being the first dog to learn to walk a tightrope.
• Thanks to the arena work, many of the American Spitz’s pedigrees were preserved, which allowed them to achieve AKC registration.
• Despite their lack of recognition at the international level, the fluffy beauties live in a number of countries, they are appreciated and loved. In Russia, there are also a small number of individuals, some owners are engaged in breeding them, but litters are extremely rare at the moment.
• This breed should not be confused with the Canadian Eskimo Dog , these are completely different animals, both in appearance and in their purpose. The Americans are decorative, and the Canadians are working sled animals.

History of the breed

All animals of this type are descendants of canis familiaris palustris, which inhabited the territory of Europe since the Bronze Age, including the German Spitz, the closest ancestor of the American Eskimo Dog.

The small pets arrived in the New World with their emigrant owners from Austria and Germany. In addition to them, the Eskie’s pedigree includes the Keeshond, Volpino Italiano , Pomeranian and others, such as the Japanese Spitz , which was brought to the United States in the late 1940s.

By the beginning of the 20th century, and especially after the First World War, it became difficult to keep decorative pets on farms. Fortunately, the white fluffies attracted the attention of show business due to their excellent trainability, intelligence, spectacular appearance and wonderful character. They became popular performers in famous and not so famous circus troupes, as well as pets of residents of large cities. In 1919, they were officially registered by the UKC under the name “American Eskimo”, before that they were simply called American Spitz. There was no breed association or standard at that time, the description was compiled much later, in 1958.

It was not until 1970 that the National Association of this breed was founded, and in 1985 a specialized club appeared, formed by fans of American Eskimo Spitz, who meticulously collected the pedigrees of almost two thousand of their favorites, and thanks to this they were able to register them in the AKC. In an attempt to identify as many pure lines as possible, from 2001 to 2003, cynologists in the United States opened the Stud Book, adding new representatives to it.

Subsequently, several more associations in different countries accepted the dogs, most notably the Canadian Kennel Club, but the FCI and other international organizations do not recognize them at the moment, nor does the Russian Cynological Federation.

Description of the American Spitz’s appearance

As you might guess, these white dogs, small or medium in size, are decorative breeds. Regardless of their height, they remain compact and correctly built, have a typical Spitz-type exterior and a characteristic fluffy coat, presenting an example of beauty, agility and energy. Since international cynological organizations have not yet recognized them, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main points of the standard approved by the AKC, its current version came into force on November 30, 1994.

Head
The cranial region is slightly widened, especially between the ears, and has a soft wedge shape, continuing into the muzzle .pronounced but not sharp, the front side is not longer than the back of the head, it is acceptable when it is slightly shortened. The pigmentation of the nose ranges from chocolate to black, the dense, closed lips are similarly colored. The bite is pincer-shaped or “scissors”, the set of teeth is complete.

Eyes
Not quite round, they should be called slightly oval, but they should not appear slanted. Widely spaced, not bulging, but not sunken either. The preferred shade is brown, from nut to the deepest, light is unacceptable, the eyelids are dark, the eyelashes are the same tone as the fur. The expression is alert, intelligent and attentive. Tear stains are not considered a defect if they do not stand out too much.

Ears
Correspond to the head proportions, triangular, blunt. Erect, set high, but not close to each other, smoothly flowing into the head. Densely pubescent over the entire area, except for the inner part.

Neck
Straight, proudly and harmoniously set, not excessively high. The nape has a graceful curve. There are no skin folds, there is a lush collar.

Frame
Almost square in format, height and distance from shoulder to buttocks are related as 1:1.1, compact, strong. Chest is wide and deep, with developed ribs. Belly is moderately tucked up just behind them. Back is straight, muscular.

Tail
The base is located at the middle level. In a calm state, it can drop and reach the middle of the thighs. In moments of excitement, joy or alertness, it freely lies on the back. It is maximally downy.

Limbs
Strong, with correct joints, well laid back shoulder blades and muscular upper arms, joined at an angle of approximately 90°. The thighs are developed, the metatarsus is vertical. The feet are arched, oval, compact, tightly knit. The presence or absence of dewclaws is not taken into account. The claws are not colored, the pads are dark.

Gait and movements
The main gait is a fast, lively trot. It is always confident, balanced, with a productive reach and push of the legs. As the speed increases, they converge to a single line along the longitudinal axis of the body, the back remains practically motionless, strong and straight. Walk and gallop are rare and are not taken into account when evaluating.

Wool

Without waves and curls. Long guard hair .breaks through the thick undercoat, forming a standing dense cover. On the neck there is a voluminous mane, more pronounced in males. The back surface of the ears is covered with fur, in front of the ear canal there are lush tufts of soft hair. The trousers are voluminous, on the front limbs there are large featherings, the tail is equipped with abundant decorative hair. The muzzle and paws have short fur. Trimming is allowed only around the toes to keep them neat.

Color
The preferred color for the American Eskimo Dog is considered to be snow-white, but a delicate cream-biscuit color is often found, which is considered less desirable. The skin is pink or gray. The edges of the lips, eyelids, nose, paw pads are dark brown or black. Any other color is considered the most serious drawback, such dogs are not allowed for breeding.

Size and weight

The official description lists three types:

toy – 22.9-30.5 cm;
miniature – 30.5-38.1;
standard – 38.1-48.3.
In inches, the minimum possible height of the American Eskimo Spitz is 9, the maximum is 19, individuals above or below the specified parameters are considered non-compliant. The largest type was originally bred, smaller ones were bred later, for ease of keeping in small apartments.

Character

The Eskimo Spitz is a cheerful companion, friendly, cheerful and playful. It is known for its exceptional attachment to family members. This small pet is absolutely incapable of being alone, it follows its people on their heels and enthusiastically takes part in all activities without exception. The white fluffy pet loves to be the center of attention and receive as much affection as possible. It expresses its emotions violently, with a loud ringing bark, no matter what it feels at the same time – joy, resentment, fear – any feeling will be demonstrated to everyone around as clearly as possible. This trait is corrected by early socialization and practicing prohibitive commands.

He gets along well with other pets, especially if he grew up next to them, but he can be jealous and try to distract his owners so that all the love goes exclusively to him.

This breed is considered one of the best for families with children.

Such pets not only play willingly, but also obey their little owners no worse than adults. Of course, they are very sensitive and require careful treatment, especially miniature varieties and puppies, so the child needs to be taught to treat his friend well. Leaving them alone until your son or daughter has fully learned the necessary rules is not worth it. They mature late, at about two years old, this is more about psychological maturity than physical.

American Eskimo dogs, like their closest relatives, have guard qualities, but only the largest ones are capable of realizing them to any significant degree; the rest will not be able to do so due to their height. But they will still make every effort to protect their owner from real or imaginary danger. They are suspicious of strangers and do not immediately make contact.

The American Spitz is in no way a cowardly dog, on the contrary, such a quality is considered a serious drawback, overly timid individuals are not allowed to breed. The brave and sociable pet is endowed with great curiosity and is always ready to explore something new. Due to this, as well as its orientation towards people, docile nature and artistry, the Eskie is considered among the most intelligent four-legged pets.

Tips for proper training

The brilliant circus career of many of the American Eskimo Spitz is the most eloquent testimony to the degree of trainability of the American Eskimo Spitz. These are exceptionally smart, agile, inquisitive dogs who love to pose for the public. The only difficulty in their training can be created by the owner himself if he starts to treat the pet roughly and loses its trust. Even small children who begin to consciously communicate with their pet can try to train them; such amazing compliance in dogs is rare.

Early socialization is necessary for the American Spitz to get acquainted with the widest possible variety of situations, places, people and animals. Having got used to all this in childhood, the pet will be less surprised when meeting someone or something unfamiliar, bark and worry, will not be frightened once again and will be more reserved in unforeseen circumstances. It is necessary to introduce him to the world around him gradually, without forcing the pace and without subjecting him to stress. The desire to bark more often is corrected both by communication and by practicing the commands “no” or “stop”.

In addition to the usual training course , your four-legged friend will easily learn many tricks, including the most difficult ones, requiring agility, high intelligence, observation, courage, artistry and endurance. All these qualities are developed at the highest level in the American Eskimo Dog.

Harsh treatment is unacceptable, it will make the pet hysterical, cowardly and disobedient. The approach to training should be respectful, calm, but consistent. It is useful to conduct training in a playful way, then the animal will consider them interesting entertainment and will begin to respond to your commands even more willingly. Using positive reinforcement, be careful with treats, do not give too many of them, as most of these Spitz are prone to obesity.

They can show themselves not only on stage, but also in sports disciplines; you can choose different types of competitions based on your own interest, your dog’s inclinations, its health and age.

American Eskimo Dog Care
These pets are very active, it is difficult and boring for them to stay in one place for a long time. Without interesting occupation, they begin to misbehave and look for entertainment, raising noise. They need walks, fun games, communication and attention. It is easier for members of a large family to satisfy the need of a charming tailed pet for activity, a lonely person will have to make more effort for this.

As for the preferred home for such a dog, a spacious yard will be a huge advantage, where you can run for your own pleasure, but always with the owners. Of course, you need to walk incomparably less than with service or guard dogs, but most of the day your pet will be extremely active, especially in its youth.

It is important to prepare your home for the arrival of a puppy.

Remove all objects from the floor and low surfaces, including small, sharp, fragile items, as well as wires from household appliances. Cabinet doors should be securely locked. Do not underestimate the exploratory impulses of children, in this they are not inferior to our children and are ready to climb anywhere. It is advisable to get diapers, bowls, toys and a warm bed with a removable cover that is easy to clean in advance.

American Spitz sheds heavily, and in other seasons they also shed a lot of hair, and they will require quite a lot of care, but it is simple and does not require special skills. Brush and comb their white coat two or three times a week , this way you will remove dead hair and prevent possible matting.

You should not bathe them often, as detergents remove the skin’s natural secretion, the fur becomes dull and brittle, irritation and peeling begin, carry out water procedures if there is dirt or once every couple of months using veterinary shampoo. American Eskimo Spitz tolerate cold well thanks to their thick undercoat, but dirty weather can cause a lot of inconvenience, so a waterproof jacket will come in handy in the spring and fall.

Inspect the paw pads from time to time for cracks, it is useful to treat them with a protective ointment. Overgrown claws are carefully trimmed , it is unlikely that the pet will grind them down itself. Ears are cleaned from sulfur and debris that has gotten inside with a cloth with a special lotion, and teeth from plaque – with veterinary pastes and special brushes, they will not allow tartar to form. Tears accumulating in the corners of the eyes are normal for American Eskimo dogs, they are wiped off as they appear with a damp cloth.

Proper nutrition

Many representatives of the breed are prone to obesity, which is promoted by both a lack of physical activity and too high-calorie or abundant food. These charming Spitz can be gluttons, they love to beg for tasty morsels and be capricious, the amount and nutritional value of the food they consume must always be monitored, taking into account not only the main portions, but also treats.

Apart from this feature, there are no other factors that influence the choice of diet. The diet should be balanced and meet individual needs, such as age, amount of daily exercise, and the presence of any diseases. Since American Eskimo Spitz come in different sizes, recommendations may vary slightly.

In general, both homemade food and ready-made feeds are acceptable, but veterinary specialists call the latter the most useful. In addition to a complete composition and digestibility, products from well-known companies have a number of other advantages – they are convenient to take on the road, easier to store, you will be relieved of the need to cook and look for the necessary products.

If you combine wet canned food and dry granules, choose them from the assortment of one company and the general line. The mixture does not last longer than an hour, it is fed immediately, so it will not be possible to make a reserve, but you can give them not at the same time, but at different times. Medicinal varieties are selected individually, on the recommendation of a veterinarian, depending on the nature of the animal’s problems.

Natural food involves many complexities. Its composition should be selected by a veterinary nutritionist, as this requires in-depth knowledge in this area, following his instructions will not be easy, you need to constantly calculate the proportions of certain components. The following are strictly prohibited: chocolate, pastries, alcohol, bones, onions and garlic, grapes, fried and fatty foods, sausages, smoked meats, etc.

Water should remain available at all times; bottled, filtered or boiled water is acceptable and should be changed at least twice a day.

Follow the general rules: do not feed your pet before a walk or active exercise, wash the bowls every time, monitor the quality and freshness of the food and stick to a single regime.

Breed Health

American Eskimo Dogs are generally free of health problems, but they can have some issues.

These include the following:

• Progressive retinal atrophy is the destruction and detachment of the inner layer of the eye. The disease is inherited from parents, there is currently no treatment. It always leads to complete blindness.
• Maximum efforts should be directed at creating a comfortable, safe environment for the pet.
• Dysplasia – this deviation from the norm in tissue formation causes anatomical misalignment of the head and socket of the hip joint, causes pain, gait instability and provokes associated complications.
• Juvenile cataracts are clouding of the lens that occurs early in life. They usually affect older dogs, but in American Spitz they are often congenital and begin before maturity.
• The condition is progressive and does not reverse, but it can be slowed with proper treatment or surgically removed.
• Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine system problem associated with a lack of insulin, a pancreatic hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.
• It is most often observed in adult and elderly dogs, has a chronic form and various causes.
• The main symptoms are intense thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is also called osteochondropathy of the femoral head. It is a circulatory disorder that results in the bone dying.
• Over time, the vessels are restored, the tissues grow back, but their shape will most likely remain abnormal.
• Depending on the degree of damage, the doctor prescribes therapy or surgery.
• Dermatitis is a skin inflammation that usually results from improper care.

In addition, infectious diseases and parasites, both external and internal, pose the most serious danger. In Russia, vaccinations are mandatory for all domestic animals, they are given once a year to adults, and in several stages to puppies. In this case, complex vaccines are used, containing drugs for the most common and dangerous ailments. Treatment against parasites is carried out regularly. It is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for a preventive examination at least twice a year.

Who is this breed suitable for?

• First of all, the American Eskimo Spitz is a gentle and sensitive pet, and it is usually in this capacity that he is acquired.
• We suggest you familiarize yourself with the tips that can help you make your choice:
• The main advantages of the breed are its friendly, cheerful nature, which makes it an excellent family dog, and it gets along well with children, provided it is handled with care.
• Acting talent allows you to have an American Spitz as a partner for performances. If you are preparing to appear on stage with trick numbers, this is a great choice.
• An acceptable option for pensioners who are ready to play a lot with a friend and take care of his fur coat. He will not let you get bored, will keep you company always and in everything.
• Good for lovers of decorative breeds, but most likely it will not be possible to participate in exhibitions.
  Often recommended for beginning dog owners due to its ease of training.
• Heavy shedding makes it undesirable for people with allergies.
• Those who are not ready to spend all their free time with a four-legged friend should take a closer look at animals that do not require increased attention.

How to choose a puppy?

Most American Spitz live in the United States, but they are also quite popular in other countries, despite their lack of recognition.

In the United States, it is easier to find contacts of breeders through the American Eskimo Dog Club of America – a national breed club, but there are also private ads from owners who are not engaged in breeding activities on a regular basis, but who decided that their pet should leave offspring. In both cases, it is worth being vigilant and checking the pedigrees and veterinary certificates of the puppy’s parents. Sometimes it is possible to take an animal from a shelter. It will not necessarily have documents, but sometimes show dogs are given there.

In other countries, there are much fewer litters, and clubs dedicated to the breed are not everywhere, so the search will be much more difficult. Extra caution will also not hurt, it is not always possible to get a purebred baby from a seemingly reliable breeder.

Familiarize yourself in advance with the laws governing the transportation of animals abroad in the country you have chosen to make the purchase. The regulations often contain restrictions that require the preparation of various certificates and compliance with the rules.

If you are not ready to bring your future pet from abroad, be patient and regularly look through offers for sale of puppies. In Russia there are few such dogs, you will probably have to wait a long time for a lucky chance. Check the origin of the babies, it is easier to meet crossbreeds of close breeds, they can become excellent friends for your family, in no way inferior to purebred relatives, but are not suitable for exhibitions and breeding. However, in our country participation in something like this is unlikely in any case, since the RKF does not recognize this breed and does not allow it into the ring.

Personal experience of the owners of these dogs

Our compatriots do not often become owners of American Eskimo Spitz, so we have collected the opinions of dog breeders from different countries and invite you to read them:

A magnificent snow-white breed, a real cloud in the house, a touching pet, playful, smart and affectionate.
Quite noisy, they bark at every stranger, they have a wide range of sounds – yapping, growling, rumbling, squealing, etc. This way of expressing overwhelming emotions can be inconvenient in the city.
Unpretentious, friendly, they are easy to train even for those people who have never been involved in training.
Energetic not only at an early age, but also in mature and older age, always full of enthusiasm and desire to play.
Playful, cute, surprisingly smart. They love close contact with their owners and willingly communicate with other dogs.
They sense when a person is sick or upset and try to protect and help.

How much do esky puppies cost

In the US, the price range is very large – from 200 to 2000 dollars. Basically, the final amount that you will have to pay for your future pet depends on its pedigree and external qualities, but this is not always the case. It happens that dogs, even very young ones, are sold due to life circumstances, or the owners do not plan to breed in the future, they just want to place the puppies in reliable hands, and therefore ask for a purely symbolic price for them. If you take a dog from a shelter, you will only need to pay for its maintenance and medical care. The most expensive babies are those that have titled parents and a promising exterior, thanks to which they can count on awards.

In Russia, American Eskimo Spitz puppies are extremely rare, it is difficult to name a more or less exact amount, usually it is approximately equal to the cost of related decorative breeds, that is, it is relatively small and lies in the range from 20 to 25-28 thousand rubles.

When buying a puppy in America, the most significant part of the costs will be the delivery of the pet to our country.