Is the American Eskimo dog right for you?
- 1American Eskimo Dogs are uniquely intelligent and eager to please.
- 2American Eskimo dogs are very beautiful with a stark white coat that needs regular grooming.
- 3The American Eskimo dog is a great family dog, protective and loving.
HISTORY
Despite their name, the American Eskimo dog is neither a native American or a descendent of the husky or malamute (which would be considered Eskimo dogs). Actually a member of the Spitz family, this breed is thought to have come from Germany and was only given their misleading name because of the extreme hostility toward Germany at the time. They were recognized by the AKC in 1995.
Quick Facts
Size
Toy/Small, Medium
Lifespan
Average of 15 years
Hair Length
Long, Medium
Male Height
Toy 9-12 in, miniature 12-15 in, standard 15-19 in
Male Weight
Toy 6-10 lbs, miniature 10-20 lbs, standard 18-35 lbs
Female Height
Toy 9-12 in, miniature 12-15 in, standard 15-19 in
Female Weight
Toy 6-10 lbs, miniature 10-20 lbs, standard 18-35 lbs
Litter Size
Average is 5 puppies
Personality
The American Eskimo is a loving companion that is intelligent, playful, and always charming. Great with children, these dogs make for excellent family dogs, and can be great watchdogs. Because of their diminutive size, they can sometimes be given more leeway than larger dogs, leading them to believe that they are pack leader, which should be avoided. Outside of a potential to develop "small dog syndrome," in which they see themselves as the ruler of the house, these dogs are stupendous family dogs..
Color
The American Eskimo dog can be snow white, a biscuit cream color, or a mix of both.
Health Concerns
The average lifespan of an American Eskimo Dog is 12-14 years. They are prone to:
- hip dysplasia
- elbow degeneration
- knee degeneration
- patellar luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- cataracts
Appearance
A small to medium-size dog, they are often compared to a miniature Samoyed. They have a long, wolf-like muzzle, and pointed, v-shaped ears. They have the same long, fluffy coat that the spitz does, which is double coated to help insulate them against cold weather. They come in three sizes: toy (9-12 inches), miniature (12-15 inches), and standard (15-19 inches).
