American Eskimo Dog - The Eskie

Germany. It is also called the Standard German Spitz.

These little dogs are highly intelligent and exceptionally willing to please their master.

For the most part, these dogs are best known as a companion dog, however they have also been used as watchdogs.

They are very well known as very agile circus performers as well - especially in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s.

Eskies need regular grooming, st least once a week, or more if necessary. Overall Eskies are a very clean dog breed and will constantly groom themselves as they feel is needed.

This dog breed was renamed the American Eskimo Dog due to all the anti-German prejudice that occurred during the First World War.

To me, these dogs look almost like a miniature Samoyed and there are three varieties to choose from: the toy, miniature, and the standard.

The dog breed standard for the Eskie calls for them to be white or white & biscuit cream, with brown eyes, compact body, with erect, triangular ears, a tail that curls over onto the dog's back, and a double coat: a softer undercoat and a harsher outer coat that acts as a weather repellent.

These dogs are very hardy and exceptionally playful, and they are excellent dogs with children. American Eskimos will do fine in an apartment or house as long as it is sufficiently exercised on a daily basis.

Watch an American Eskimo Dog in Action

Additionally:

• The breed became popular as circus dogs in the early 1900's.

• There are three varieties of this dog breed: the toy, miniature, and standard.

• Overall, they are an excellent choice of dog breeds for people with children.

• Highly intelligent, they do very well in obedience and other dog sports and activities.

• The thick snowy white coat of the American Eskimo is fairly easy to groom.

• Pure white is the preferred color for this dog breed, however white with biscuit cream is permissible.

• Daily walks and exercise are very important to their physical and mental health - don't forget the socialization either.

• The Eskie is one of the Spitz families of Nordic breeds.

• The AKC recognized this dog breed in 1995.

• This is a fairly healthy breed, however they can be prone to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.

Country of origin: Germany
Lifespan: 15 or more years
Colors: White, white & biscuit cream
Known health problems: carefully watch its eyes and tear ducts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies, Elbow and Knee degeneration, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, urinary stones, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, epilepsy
Famous Eskies: "PR" Stout's Pal Pierre, one of many Eskies to walk a tightrope in the Barnum & Bailey Circus

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