American Eskimo: Your Complete Guide
The American Eskimo dog, simply known as the American Eskimo or Esky for short, is a spitz-type dog breed. Despite the name, the American Eskimo isn’t from Alaska or Inuit cultures; this breed descends from German spitz dogs brought to the US by German immigrants. The name was changed from German spitz to American Eskimo due to anti-German sentiment during the First World War.
American Eskimos are well-known for their happy facial expressions and lively temperaments. These dogs vary in terms of size, with three varieties: toy, miniature, and standard. They can be an ideal canine companion for many individuals, couples, and families looking for a compact, energetic, and intelligent dog.
While these provide an overview of the American Eskimo’s characteristics, there’s much more to these dogs than meets the eye. In this article, we will take a look at the American Eskimo dog breed, covering the breed’s physical features, personality traits, care needs, trainability, and much more. Read on to get the only guide you will ever need for the American Eskimo dog breed.
Quick Look at the American Eskimo
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 6-10 pounds / 9-12 inches (Toy)
10-20 pounds / 12-15 inches (Miniature) 25-35 pounds / 15-19 inches (Standard) |
| Coat Type | Medium-length double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Affectionate, lively, intelligent, energetic |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
What Is the History of American Eskimos?
As previously mentioned, the American Eskimo isn’t a breed that was developed in the Americas. It was the German immigrants, mainly farmers in the 1800s, who brought the American Eskimo we know today. Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, in particular, had a high population of German immigrants, and consequently, American Eskimo dogs, though they were known as the German spitz back in the day.
These dogs were commonly utilized in farms as an all-rounder dog in these states rather than specializing in one. They would serve as watchdogs, help move livestock, manage vermin, and provide companionship. With their lively personalities and luxurious coats, it wouldn’t take long for Eskies to leave farm work to become show dogs and perform tricks in circuses by the turn of the 20th century.
As for the name change, it was a breeding kennel in Ohio that first used the name American Eskimo to describe these dogs during the First World War. Since the American Kennel Club hadn’t recognized the breed up until this point, and wouldn’t until 1994, the name was picked up. Although many even today refer to them as the German spitz, especially in Europe,
What Do American Eskimos Look Like?
American Eskimos have a distinct, white-colored coat. Although some have a coat color described as white and biscuit, most American Eskimos are pure white. Due to the coat color, they are commonly mistaken for white Pomeranians, Samoyeds, and Japanese spitz. The traits used for distinguishing them include their sharper, more triangular muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, and a lively temperament, which we will cover in detail below.
What Size Is an American Eskimo?
The American Eskimo comes in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard, just like the poodle. The average size ranges for these varieties are as follows:
- Toy: 6-10 pounds – 9-12 inches
- Miniature: 10-20 pounds – 12-15 inches
- Standard: 25-35 pounds – 15-19 inches
Given these height and weight ranges for American Eskimos, it is safe to say that they are small or medium-sized dogs, depending on the variety. This enables those who are considering the American Eskimo to easily find a suitable dog that matches their preferences in size.
What Is an American Eskimo’s Coat Type and Length?
The American Eskimo has a medium-length double coat. This coat is fairly high maintenance, but it is one of the distinct characteristics of the breed. Plus, the coat is functional; the undercoat is soft and thick, almost wool-like, and the outer coat is straight and crisp to the touch, which is also another identifying characteristic of the American Eskimo. Samoyed, for example, has a coat that’s softer to the touch.
What Is an American Eskimo’s Temperament?
The American Eskimo is an intelligent dog that’s affectionate with the family but also alert and watchful. They tend to announce visitors and strange noises, which is telling of their tendency to bark. American Eskimos are overall balanced dogs that can adapt to a variety of living arrangements and lifestyles, provided the owner meets their care needs, particularly exercise and mental stimulation.
These surely provide a good overview of the breed’s temperament, but there’s more to the American Eskimo’s personality. Below, we cover the temperament of Eskies so that you can have a better idea of what it is like to have one and set realistic expectations on whether this breed is suitable for you.
Are American Eskimos Good With Kids?
Many consider the American Eskimo to be one of the best dogs for families with children. They are naturally playful with kids, and their watchful personality makes them a natural caretaker. Eskies pair best with active kids who can play with them nonstop, but they would also adapt to quieter kids and enjoy receiving gentle pets.
However, regardless of all these, children in the family must be well-behaved and refrain from unruly acts. An adult’s supervision is also important in ensuring everyone gets along nicely with one another. With all these, we can say that the American Eskimo is an excellent dog to have for families with children, particularly those who know no end to playtime.
Are American Eskimos Good With Other Animals?
Eskies are fantastic dogs for families with dogs. They get along well with other dogs in the family and tend to be the ones that initiate play between others. When it comes to unfamiliar dogs, individual temperament and the behavior of other dogs play an important role. Despite being fairly small, American Eskimos can have a territorial streak, which can make them dominant in and around the home. Socialization plays an important role in balancing this.
With animals other than dogs, they tend to do well with cats if raised in the same family, and can learn to accept the presence of small prey animals. However, no small animal, like guinea pigs and hamsters, should be left unattended with an American Eskimo due to their fairly high prey drive. Also, introductions with smaller animals should be gradual and controlled.
Are American Eskimos Aggressive?
American Eskimos aren’t considered aggressive. They don’t have an inherent desire to challenge anyone that comes close to their territory or confront other dogs. With proper socialization, Eskies become gentle, people-oriented dogs that keep a social attitude once their warming-up period is over.
Because of their energetic and highly driven nature, Eskies can be prone to reactivity, which isn’t the same as aggression. When training a reactive dog, owners and trainers must make this distinction to ensure they can modify the dog’s behavior properly.
Do American Eskimos Bark?
American Eskimos are moderate to heavy barkers. These dogs usually bark to announce visitors, strange noises, and to express their emotions (particularly when underexercised). While this makes them fairly good watchdogs, which we cover in detail in the coming parts, it also means that they are more than likely to bark at doorbells, footsteps in hallways, and anything unusual.
Given that this can be a problem for those living in apartments with noise restrictions, teaching an Esky to be quiet may be necessary to avoid conflict with neighbors. Keep this in mind before adding an American Eskimo to the family.
Are American Eskimos Affectionate?
Without a single doubt, American Eskimos are among the most affectionate dog breeds. They bond strongly with their families and want nothing more than cuddles, pets, and any other form of attention they can get. Eskies can become so attached to their owners that they start following them around the house from the first day.
While an affectionate dog is something that many would want to have in their lives, it is worth noting that American Eskimos can be overly needy at times. Owners should build independence through short periods of separation and avoid reinforcing clingy moments by giving them attention whenever they ask for it.
Are American Eskimos Intelligent?
American Eskimos are highly intelligent dogs that excel in problem-solving and understanding their surroundings. They are so smart that they consistently rank among the smartest spitz-type dogs, which is what the American Eskimo owes to their intelligence; the long line of working dogs with a spitz heritage.
We will touch on how their intelligence impacts their trainability in a moment, but note that an intelligent mind means a dog that requires a lot of mental stimulation. They can get bored with their routine quickly if it stays the same all the time. Owners should take their dogs and explore new places, and invest in dog puzzles to keep their minds sharp.
Are American Eskimos Energetic?
Eskies are high-energy dogs that enjoy physical exercise, solving problems that make them use their smart brains, and mentally stimulating activities that get them moving. Although they are slightly more energetic than other spitz-type dog breeds, American Eskimos can be managed easily with a mix of walks and playtime that’s an hour to an hour and a half long daily. This is one of the most critical care needs of an Esky to lead a happy life.
If an American Eskimo doesn’t get enough exercise, it is safe to say that behavioral issues will arise sooner or later. An under-exercised Esky will resort to destructive acts, excessive barking, and other behavioral issues to release all that extra energy. This part of owning an American Eskimo must be kept in mind, as not everyone has the availability or the lifestyle to provide these dogs with enough daily exercise.
Are American Eskimos Easy to Train?
With their intelligent minds, driven personalities, and energetic nature, American Eskimos are fairly easy to train, especially if you can provide the structure and consistency these dogs need for excelling in training. Owners can get through basic obedience training in under a month and start more advanced training types, and even get their dogs involved in sports like AKC Rally or agility training.
However, the training method is key in getting the most out of an American Eskimo’s trainability. These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training and can get bored if training gets repetitive. Keeping sessions short and fun often yields the best results with dogs like the American Eskimo. If you’re interested in learning more about dog training, check out our online courses. We can help you reach a variety of training goals with your Esky.
Are American Eskimos Good Watchdogs?
Eskies make fairly good watchdogs with their proactive and alert temperaments. They let their owners know with their sharp, quick barks when someone unfamiliar comes close to home or when they hear something out of the ordinary. However, it would be wrong to expect an American Eskimo to guard a home or any given territory due to their small size. They are simply watchdogs that will bark to alert, and their job will finish there.
Are American Eskimos Good Service Dogs?
American Eskimos aren’t commonly chosen for service dog work, even though their characteristics, such as intelligence, trainability, and work ethic, align with this type of work. The reason for this is the breed’s tendency to be distracted easily and act reserved around strangers at first. Given that service dogs must stay on task in all public situations, the American Eskimo isn’t a preferred breed for service dog work.
Nonetheless, their affectionate and lively personalities make Eskies a fantastic emotional support animal for those looking for a lovely dog.
How to Care for an American Eskimo?
The most important care needs of an American Eskimo are exercise, socialization, training, and mental stimulation. These are things that owners must attend to on a regular, almost daily basis to ensure their Eskies can lead a happy, healthy life. In addition to these, American Eskimos have basic care needs like every other dog. Owners must meet these just as importantly as the other care needs of this breed.
Here’s more on caring for an American Eskimo dog. These can also help you determine whether the American Eskimo is the right dog breed for you, as some of their needs can be demanding.
Do You Need to Groom an American Eskimo?
The American Eskimo’s grooming needs are fairly intense due to their medium-length double coats. They require brushing two to three times a week to prevent mats and tangles, especially in areas like behind the ear and legs. To maintain a tidy appearance, Eskies also need light trimming. However, they should never be shaved; it can damage their coat permanently.
Besides these, Eskies have basic grooming needs like nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care. All these should be a part of their regular grooming routine, so setting up a schedule will help owners meet their dog’s grooming needs.
Do American Eskimos Shed?
American Eskimos are average shedders that shed moderately for most parts of the year, except for two intense shedding periods during seasonal changes. At this time, it is best to brush their coats more frequently to remove dead hair or go to the groomer for a deshedding treatment to manage shedding.
What Health Problems Do American Eskimos Have?
American Eskimos are overall healthy dogs, like other spitz-type breeds. They can live much of their lives without any apparent health issues. However, certain health problems like hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy still affect this breed. While hip dysplasia is more common among larger American Eskimos, any size variety can develop progressive retinal atrophy.
Eskies are also prone to chronic ear infections, which regular cleaning can prevent. In addition to these, toy and miniature American Eskimos are also at risk of periodontal disease due to their smaller jaws. All these can be scary, but by working with a responsible breeder and taking your Esky for routine vet visits, you can manage the conditions this breed is prone to developing before they become a much larger problem.
How Long Do American Eskimos Live?
American Eskimos live 13 to 15 years on average. Smaller Eskies tend to live slightly longer, but genetics, diet, lifestyle, and many other factors go into determining the overall American Eskimo lifespan.
What Should an American Eskimo Eat?
American Eskimos, like all dogs, must eat a well-balanced diet that supports their overall health and lifestyle. Considering their energetic nature, Eskies do best on dog food formulated for similarly energetic but smaller breeds, especially for the toy varieties. They can also eat a homemade or even a raw diet, as long as it is formulated by a certified animal nutritionist to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
Is an American Eskimo the Right Dog for Me?
The American Eskimo is an energetic, affectionate, and intelligent dog. While these are traits that many want to have in their dogs, with everything that these dogs require, they are fairly high-maintenance dogs that require an involved owner. If you’re someone with time and presence at home, lead an active life, and can provide the training, socialization, and mental stimulation Eskies need without everything feeling like a chore, this breed can be a wonderful companion.
As with any other breed, evaluate your circumstances and lifestyle before adopting or buying an American Eskimo and decide if this breed is for you. If you’re positive after reading everything we’ve had to share about the American Eskimo, head over to our adoption and puppies for sale pages to see the Eskies in your region.