Breed Spotlight: American Eskimo

Coat Type and Colors

According to the American Kennel Club’s official breed standards, all Eskies have a medium-length double coat.³ White is the only standard coat color, but those with biscuit-colored markings are accepted by the club.

Ears and Tails

American Eskimos have upright, triangular ears and a feathered tail that’s carried on their back.

Shedding and Grooming

The Eskie is a heavy shedder. If not brushed properly, you may find large amounts of fur throughout your home. Due to its undercoat, the Eskie requires thorough brushing at least three times per week to avoid matting and maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Drooling Level

Eskies are not likely to drool.

Behavior

The American Eskimo dog is known for their spunky, clever personality. This dog is very affectionate and social and becomes very attached to their family. American Eskimos need strong bonds with their owners. Eskies are often suspicious of strangers at first but eventually open up, wanting to be everyone’s friend. Because of their need for attention and mental stimulation, many American Eskimos can develop behavior issues, like separation anxiety, if neglected or undertrained.

Exercise Needs

The American Eskimo dog is extremely energetic and always ready for a new adventure. With a large amount of energy, they must have regular and frequent opportunities for exercise to prevent destructive behavior. Vigorous exercise several times a day and frequent mental challenges are highly recommended. The Eskie’s energy level does calm down once they reach middle age.

Good With Other Pets?

Just like children, the American Eskimo is affectionate with all other family pets and should get along well with unfamiliar dogs after perceiving no threat.

Trainability

Among one of the most trainable breeds, the American Eskimo is highly adaptable and easy to train. They are very strong-willed, however, and require a relatively firm approach for successful training. The Eskie is also intelligent enough to learn commands by watching other dogs.

Good with Kids?

The Eskie is an excellent family dog and absolutely adores children. Remember that all dogs should be supervised around young kids and kids who don’t interact with dogs often.

Barking Level

Barking may become a problem with this breed, especially when left alone for too long. The Eskie is known for being vocal, so teaching your dog when and when not to bark can be an effective tool to curb excessive barking.

American Eskimo History/Fun Facts

The American Eskimo is a Nordic breed and member of the Spitz family of breeds.⁴ They were originally bred as German farm dogs and were brought to America by German immigrants, along with the Eskie’s relative, the German Spitz.

American Eskimos make excellent companions in cold weather, but now that their farm dog days are past them, they are most comfortable indoors.

Fun fact, the American Eskimo was a mainstay in trained-dog acts among traveling circuses and vaudeville troupes.⁵ Some believe the Eskie is the first and only dog to walk a tight-rope.