Other names/Nicknames:
- Eskie
- American Spitz
Country/Date of origin:
- United States
- 1900′s
Height:
- Toy: 9 to 12 inches
- Miniature: 12 to 15 inches
- Standard: 15 to 19 inches
Weight:
- Toy: Under 10 pounds
- Miniature: 10 to 18 pounds
- Standard: 20 to 35 pounds
Personality:
- Playful, intelligent, and eager to please.
- One-family dog.
- Wary of strangers.
- Slightly conservative.
- Will bark to warn of intruders.
History:
The descendent of larger Spitz dogs imported from Germany in the 1800′s, the American Eskimo was created by selectively breeding for a small size and a pure white coat. It was not descended from sled dogs, as is popularly thought. The strong hunting instincts of the ancestors of the American Eskimo dog have been replaced with an inbred guarding skill. Primarily a companion animal, the little white American version of the Spitz has been recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) since 1913. In 1995 the American Kennel Club (AKC) granted the Eskie full status. There are three variations of the Eskie, identical in every way except size.
Body Type:
- A small, typically-built dog of the Northern dog group.
- Looks like a miniature Samoyed.
- Three sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard.
- The long tail is carried high over the back and is not altered.
- The ears are erect and never altered.
Coat:
- Thick, plush undercoat with a harsher outercoat that should never wave or curl.
- Contains natural oil that repels soil so frequent bathing is not required.
- Permissible colors are white or off white.
- Sheds heavily in spring and summer, otherwise grooming is moderate.
Health and Wellness:
- Exceptionally healthy.
- Thrombopathia.
- Generalized tremor.
What you should know:
- Puppies of this breed are irresistible.
- They look like little polar bears.
