American Eskimo Dog - TOP 10 Interesting Facts

1) Not from America

Even though, they are named american, they originated in Germany. Their direct ancestor is the German Spitz, who were brought to america by German immigrants in 19th and 20th century and they named was changed. They were probably crossed with white Pomeranians, Italian Spitzes and Keeshonds later.

2) Name

When they got into american for the first time, they were still named as German Spitzes. The problem was, that after the second world war, people did not want a dog from Germany. As opposed to letting the breed die out, it was simply renamed. And it was a brilliant solution, since it really solved all the problems with this breeds popularity.

3) Circus dogs

In the late 19th century and in the begining of the 20th century, American Eskimo dogs were widely used in circuses. Thanks to their beautiful appearance, sweet expression and eagerness to learn they were really good at pleasing the audience. It was the circus that made the American Eskimo Dog extremely popular as a family pet.

4) Purpose

But before they were used as circus or family dogs, they had different purpose. They were originally used as hunters, livestock guardians and herders. The word eskimo in their name might suggest, that they were also used as sled dogs, but that is not true.

5) High energy

As you can probably guess from the other facts in this video, American Eskimo dogs are highly active dogs. In their history, they always had some job they were performing and that is why they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. You should play different games with them and regularly take them on longer walks.

6) Family dog

But if you provide them with enough exercise, Eskies make excellent family companions. They are loyal and social dogs that love to be around their owners. They are also highly trainable and intelligent, but they can have stubborn streaks. The one disadvantage might be, that they are barkers, but you can turn this into advantage and have amazing watchdog.

7) Size

The American Eskimo dog comes in several size. According to the AKC, they come in toy, miniature and standard size, while according to the UKC they can only be Miniature and stanard. That is why their size can vary from 12-19 inches which is 30-48 cm.

8) Living with

American Eskimo dogs can be little bit aloof when strangers come into your house, but they warm up quickly. They are most of the time okay with other dogs in your household, but i would definitely not trust them with smaller pets like hamsters, reptiles or birds. They still have the hunting blood in them. Eskies are ideal for families who want a small to medium-sized active dog, which is very fun to be around.

9) Grooming

American Eskimo dog are shedding dogs and their fluffy coat needs regular frequent brushing. It is recomended to brush your Eskie at least twice a week. You should only bath them when necessary, because The American Eskimo’s skin is very sensitive and bathing may irritate the skin. Take care about their eyes and ears and watch for sign of infections.

10) Health

Eskies are hardy dogs with amazing lifespan – between 12 to 15 years. They are not prone to any serious health problems, but it is not uncommon that they suffer from progresive retinal atrophy, cataracts or allergies.