American Eskimo

Dog Breed Group

Non Sporting Dogs 

Origin of Breed

United States 

Life Expectancy

12 - 15 years 

Color

white, white with biscuit cream, or cream 

Coat

The American Eskimo has a soft, thick, white double coat. The body is covered with a soft, thick, short undercoat. Longer guard  

Exercise Needs

Highly social; needs regular exercise and attention 

Temperament

The American Eskimo Dog is intelligent, alert, and friendly, although slightly conservative. It is never overly shy nor aggressi 

Good with Children

This breed is loyal and friendly, but can be conservative with strangers.They like well-behaved children, and is considered a go 

Grooming Needs

The Eskimo coat needs brushing a couple of times each week to prevent mats and tangles, particularly around the ears and the tai 

Average Size - Male (in)

15 - 19 

Average Size - Female (in)

14 - 18 

Average Weight - Male (lbs)

18 - 35 

Average Weight - Female (lbs)

18 - 35 

Health Issues

The Eskimo is a long-lived breed with few identified problems, but since breeders do little genetic testing, the incidence of inv

Living Conditions

They enjoy cold weather better than warm. 

Breed Description

There are three types of American Eskimo, Standard, Miniature, and Toy. This is the only spitz breed created and fostered in America. The American Eskimo is a member of the ancient and wide ranging Spitz family of dogs. One 18th century German historian claimed that the Spitz was the ancestor of all domestic breeds. White Spitzes were popular in Pomerania and in the coastal regions of Germany. Sailors traded the white dogs throughout Europe. When Queen Charlotte of England acquired several white Spitzes, the dogs became fashionable among British aristocrats. White Spitzes appear in several Gainsborough paintings. German immigrants probably brought the white Spitz dogs to the United States, where they served as watchdogs, family pets, and circus dogs. Known as the German Spitz in its homeland, the breed was renamed the American Eskimo in 1917. This was probably a reaction to the unpopularity during World War I of anything associated with Germany.

Breed Infobits

The American Eskimo is a descendant from the German Spitz. .
With its alert, smooth carriage, the American Eskimo presents a picture of natural beauty, alertness, strength, and agility.
The Standard version of the American Eskimo differs from the Miniature and Toy versions only in regards to size and weight.