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| American Eskimo | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Alternative names | ||
| American Spitz American Deutscher Spitz | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| Ancestors of the breed came from Germany. | ||
| Common nicknames | ||
| Eskie | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| AKC: | Non-sporting | Stds |
| CKC: | Non-sporting (Miniature and Standard), Toy | [? Stds] |
| UKC: | Northern Breeds | Stds |
The American Eskimo Dog, is a breed of companion dog originating in Germany. Despite its name and appearance the American Eskimo dog is neither from Alaska nor a descendant of the Husky. The American Eskimo is a member of the Spitz family, which also comes from Germany. The breed\'s progenitors were German Spitz, but due to anti-German prejudice during the First World War, it was renamed to American Eskimo Dog. At some point, some other spitz breed (posssibly the Japanese Spitz) may have been added (opinions vary). Although modern American Eskimos have been exported as German Spitz Gross (or Mittel, depending on the dog\'s height), the breed standards are actually significantly different. In addition to serving as a companion, it has been used as a watchdog, and also achieved a high degree of popularity in the 1930s and 1940s United States as a circus performer even as early as 1917 at the Cooper Brother\'s Railroad Circus. One of many American Eskimo Dogs to walk a tightrope was an American Eskimo by the name of Stout\'s Pal Pierre in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. "PR" Stout\'s Pal Pierre was from a long line of American Eskimos used in Barnum and Bailey\'s Circus acts. Pierre\'s grandfather was the first known dog in the world to walk a tight rope. The breed became popular as circuses would sell the puppies during their travels across the nation. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1994 and set the current standard for the breed. The United Kennel Club had recognized the breed long before 1994, and there is no difference between the two breed standards except that the AKC allows the toy size and the UKC does not. The American Eskimo Dog was accepted into the Canadian Kennel Club CKC Recognition Of The American Eskimo Dog as of March 2006. CKC (Canadian Kennel Club).
Contents |
| American Eskimo overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Toy height: | 23-30 cm/9-12 inches | |
| Toy weight: | 2.4-4.5 kg/6-10 lb | |
| Miniature height: | 38 cm/11-15 inches | |
| Miniature weight: | 4.5-9 kg/10-20 lb | |
| Standard height: | 38 cm/14-19 inches | |
| Standard weight: | 16 kg/18-35 lb | |
| Coat: | Thick, profuse white (or \'biscuit cream\') standoff double-coat, pronounced ruff around the neck | |
| Litter size: | Standard: 4-6 *** Mini: 2-4 *** Toy: 1-3 | |
| Life span: | 10-15+ years (Up to 20 years with proper feeding, exercise & vet care) | |
The Eskie is derived almost completely from the various German Spitz breeds (Pomeranian, Keeshond, etc). The Spitz family of Nordic dogs is one of the least altered by human husbandry and reflects most nearly the prototypical dog, from which stock all others have been derived. Archeology suggests that Neolithic dogs living with humans would today pass for spitzen.
American Eskimo Dogs are known for their playfulness
The standard for the American Eskimo Dog calls for them to be white or white & biscuit cream, with brown eyes (blue eyes, such as those found on the Siberian Husky, are a disqualification and a sign of poor health or breeding), and a compact body. The dog\'s length should be only slightly greater than its height at the shoulder. The muzzle is long and lupine (in contrast to the muzzles of Pomeranians). The ears are held erect and alert, and the tail should be feathered and loosely curled on the dog\'s back. These dogs look very much like smaller versions of the Samoyed, and come in three standard sizes. The toy is from 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) at the withers; the miniature is from 12 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm); the standard is from 15 inches up to and including 19 inches (39 to 48 cm).
The Eskie, as with all Spitz breeds, has erect, triangular ears ("prick ears"), a tail that flips onto the dog\'s back in a spiral, and two coats of fur: an undercoat that is softer and helps insulate the dog, and an outer coat that\'s harsher and acts as a weather repellent.
The Eskie, a loving companion dog, presents a picture of strength and agility, alertness and beauty. It is a small to medium-size Nordic type dog, always white, or white with biscuit cream. The American Eskimo Dog is compactly built and well balanced, with good substance, and an alert, smooth gait. The face is Nordic type with erect triangular shaped ears, and distinctive black points (lips, nose, and eye rims). The white double coat consists of a short, dense undercoat, with a longer guard hair growing through it forming the outer coat, which is straight with no curl or wave. The coat is thicker and longer around the neck and chest forming a lion-like ruff, which is more noticeable on dogs than on bitches. The rump and hind legs down to the hocks are also covered with thicker, longer hair forming the characteristic breeches. The richly plumed tail is carried loosely on the back.
American Eskimos were bred to be companion dogs, and thrive on being a part of a human family. They are easily trained and very intelligent, although like many Nordic breeds, they can be strong-willed and independent. At home, they make excellent watchdogs, barking to announce the presence of strangers. The American Eskimo dog can be protective of its home and family, but in general they will not threaten to attack or bite a person unless provoked. American Eskimos must be trained early in age. As with all dogs, temperament may be partially inherited and partially trained. Some dogs are prone to excessive barking and separation anxiety.
.jpg/58px-American Eskimo Dog (Puppy).jpg)
Puppy at 11 weeks
American Eskimos can take longer to mature than other breeds, and can behave more like puppies than like adults for up to two years, at which point they begin to mature and grow adult coats. They are a very intelligent breed and need to be stimulated for their maximum intellectual and behavioral potentials to be realized. When their intelligence is not stimulated or they are ignored, they can develop behavioral issues. Owners can avoid this problem by socializing the dog through obedience training or participating in dog sports.
The breed lives on average between 12 and 14 years, although some individuals might live as long as 20 years or longer. The American Eskimo is a fairly healthy breed, although close attention should be paid to its eyes and tear ducts. They are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow and knee degeneration, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, epilepsy, urinary stones and allergies, especially flea allergies, that can lead to acute moist dermatitis or “hot spots”.
Eskies have a long, dense coat and need regular grooming. This means brushing them once a week, or more often if necessary. They shed, but it can be maintained with regular brushing. They "blow" their coats twice a year, once in May or June to shed their winter undercoat and once in November or December to shed their summer coat. Many Eskie owners use an undercoat rake, a tool available at most pet stores, for grooming. Some owners in hot climates do shave their Eskies, but if this is done, the dogs should be kept indoors as much as possible to prevent sunburn. Some people believe that once a dog is shaved, the coat will grow in with a coarser, woollier texture than it would have had it been left alone, but reporting of this by people who have clipped or shaved their dogs varies.
Eskies have drier skin than most other dogs and do not usually develop a "doggy smell". They need to be bathed only when necessary, if they soil their coat with large amounts of dirt or substances with strong odors. Regular brushing maintains a clean coat in most cases. Eskies are a very clean breed and constantly groom themselves.
Because so many people purchase \'cute\' puppies and then discover that they do not want an active, intelligent dog with a heavily shedding coat, many of this breed end up at the animal shelter or otherwise up for adoption, or possibly in more unfortunate situations. There are many breed-specific rescue groups that are more than willing to give advice on training or curbing behavioral issues.
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