American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo Dog

Common names:Eskie,Eskimo
1. The American Eskimo is a member of the ancient and wide ranging Spitz family of dogs. 

2. One 18th century German historian claimed that the Spitz was the ancestor of all domestic breeds. 

3. White Spitzes were popular in Pomerania and  in the coastal regions of Germany.Sailors traded the white dogs throughout Europe. 

4. When Queen Charlotte of England acquired several white Spitzes, the dogs became fashionable among British aristocrats. White Spitzes appear in several Gainsborough paintings.

GainsboroughPainting

5. 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. 

6. The American Eskimo was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1913.

7. 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. 

8. 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). 

9. 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. 

10. 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.

11. The ruff (mane) and long outer guard hairs are typically more profuse on males than females. The tail is richly plumed and carried over the back. With its alert, smooth carriage, the American Eskimo presents a picture of natural beauty, alertness, strength, and agility.

12. 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.

13. The chest, neck, and forepart of the shoulders are typically covered with a lion-like mane.