Recommended for: Active individuals and families, colder climates
Maintenance Level: Medium
Lifespan: 13 -15 years
Temperament:
Eager to please, intelligent, active
Health Risk:
This breed has a low probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
Breed Overview
The pure white American Eskimo Dog, also known as the “Eskie” and Eskimo Spitz, is a Spitz breed that originated in Germany and was originally called the “German Spitz”. Although diminutive in size, the Eskie is a bold, strong and agile dog who moves with a well-balanced and smooth gait. Selective breeding has resulted in three different sizes: Toy (22–30 cm), Miniature (30–38 cm) and Standard (38–48 cm).
With a fluffy white coat, erect, triangular ears, and black nose, eye rims and lips, the American Eskimo Dog looks very much like a small Samoyed. His dark to medium brown eyes are not fully round, but slightly oval. He has a compact and muscular body and a smiling face with an alert and intelligent expression. His plumed tail is carried loosely over his back.
The Eskie’s most distinctive feature is undoubtedly his dense double coat, which is white or biscuit cream. It stands off the body, is water resistant, and insulates against the cold. The undercoat is short and dense, with longer guard hairs growing through it to form the straight outer coat. For extra warmth, it is thicker and longer around the neck and chest – giving male Eskies an impressive lion-like ruff – as well as over the rump and hind legs, while his small and densely coated ears are also protected from the cold.
Although Eskies shed almost constantly, the coat is fairly easy to keep clean. A thorough brushing two to three times a week will remove most dead hairs before they can be shed and help to prevent matting. The oil on an Eskie’s fur prevents dirt from adhering, so a good brushing is usually enough to remove it; bathing is only required occasionally.
Intelligent and curious, active and energetic, the Eskie requires lots of exercise and mental challenges. A vigorous daily workout, a securely fenced yard and a variety of toys will help provide physical and mental stimulation to keep him out of trouble during his youth. However, once he passes middle age, he often become more sedate.