Active? Check. Loving? Check. Watchdog extraordinaire? Checkity, check, check. The “Eskie” or American Eskimo Dog is a fun and feisty ball of fluff who loves family time and outdoor adventures equally.
Eskies are known outside the U.S. as the German Spitz. During WWII, the name was officially changed. The new name, American Eskimo dog, comes from a famous breeding kennel of the period.
Eskies were first popularized in the U.S. in a very unique way— via traveling circuses, who often sold puppies after the show. Eskies pick up trick training easily, and their specialty was tightrope walking back in the day.
Recognized by the AKC in 1919, the breed standard didn’t completely gel until the 70’s when the National American Eskimo Dog Association was formed to shape and formalize the breed.
The Eskie has three size variants, the toy, the mini, and the standard, although some overlap can occur. The toy is 9–12 inches and 6–10 lbs, the miniature is 12–15 inches and 10–17 lbs, and the standard is 15–20 inches and 18–35 lbs.
Regular grooming is a must for these beautiful, snowy white dogs. They have the typical Spitz double coat, which “blows” twice a year, resulting in a whirlwind of doggie tumbleweeds throughout the house if you don’t keep up the fuzz patrol.
With their history as circus dogs, you know the Eskie is smart and talented. They can pick up any kind of training you might like to teach them, but beware: left with too much time on their hands, they can decide to train themselves to get up to all kinds of nonsense around the house. Make sure you’re prepared to wear them out on a daily basis.
Back in the ‘old country,’ the German Spitz was bred to be a watchdog and family companion, so excessive barking and wariness of strangers can be a training issue. Great socialization is the key to a happy Eskie home.
Featured image: Aspen & Winnie