American Eskimo

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Club: American Eskimo Dog Club of America

Corresponding Secretary : Marie Stark
Address: 1758 Republic Street, San Diego, CA , 92114
Website: www.aedca.org
Email: sdeskie@cox.net
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The American Eskimo Dog, 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.

Size:

Size There are three separate size divisions of the American Eskimo Dog (all measurements are heights at withers): Toy, 9 inches to and including 12 inches; Miniature, over 12 inches to and including 15 inches; and Standard, over 15 inches to and including 19 inches. There is no preference for size within each division. Disqualification: Under 9 inches or over 19 inches. Proportion . Length of back from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly greater than height at withers, an approximate 1.1 to 1 ratio. Substance. The American Eskimo Dog is strong and compactly built with adequate bone.

Coat:

The American Eskimo Dog has a stand-off, double coat consisting of a dense undercoat and a longer coat of guard hair growing through it to form the outer coat. It is straight with no curl or wave. There is a pronounced ruff around the neck which is more noticeable on dogs than bitches. Outer part of the ear should be well covered with short, smooth hair, with longer tufts of hair growing in front of ear openings. Hair on muzzle should be short and smooth. The backs of the front legs should be well feathered, as are the rear legs down to the hock. The tail is covered profusely with long hair.

Temperament:

The American Eskimo Dog is intelligent, alert, and friendly, although slightly conservative. It is never overly shy nor aggressive, and such dogs are to be severely penalized in the show ring. At home it is an excellent watchdog, sounding a warning bark to announce the arrival of any stranger. It is protective of its home and family, although it does not threaten to bite or attack people. The American Eskimo Dog learns new tasks quickly and is eager to please.

History:

The "Eskie" is a member of the spitz family, or Nordic breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is almost certainly descended from the European spitzes, including the white German Spitz, the white Keeshound, the white Pomeranian and the Volpino Italiano (white Italian Spitz). After World War II, breeders on the West Coast may even have incorporated some Japanese Spitz into the Eskie.

During the 19th century in this country, small, white spitz-type dogs were commonly found in communities of German immigrants. These dogs were probably descendants of white German Spitz, white Keeshonden or large white Pomeranians that immigrated with their European masters. They came to be known collectively as American Spitz.

Late in the 19th century, the American Eskimo Dog was extremely popular for use in trick-dog acts in the many traveling circuses throughout the United States. The breed excelled in this job because of their sparkling white coat and quickness, and they possessed an innate intelligence, trainability and unsurpassed agility. These dogs traveling with the circuses helped develop and spread the popularity of the American Eskimo Dog.

In 1917 the name "American Spitz" became "American Eskimo Dog" although the exact reason for this is unknown. It may have been that usage of the word "eskimo" would pay homage to the breed's developmental association with various breeds of large, Nordic dogs developed by those native American peoples.

Interesting Facts:

• The American Eskimo Dog is AKC's 138th breed.
  
  
• The American Eskimo Dog is nicknamed the "Eskie."
  
  
• The American Eskimo Dog is always white or white with biscuit cream.
  
  
• The American Eskimo Dog is bred in three distinct sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Standard.
  
  
• The Eskie is a member of the spitz family, or Nordic breds.
  
  
• Beginning in the late 19th century, the American Eskimo Dog was extremely popular for use in trick-dog acts in the traveling circuses throughout the US.
  
  
• Known as the American Spitz until 1917, when the named was changed to American Eskimo (although the breed does not have any traceable origin or connection to Eskimo culture).