How to Identify an American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo is a spitz-type breed that is part of the non-sporting group. [1] Also called Eskies, they were originally bred from white German Spitz dogs and were known for their acts in show business. [2] Eskies share some common traits with other breeds, especially those of the spitz heritage, but they do have a few unique traits of their own. This wikiHow will help you identify an American Eskimo by recognizing these traits.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Observing the Structure

  1. 1
    Consider the dog's size. There are three sizes of American Eskimos: standard, miniature, and toy. Standard American Eskimos are the largest, miniatures are medium in size, and toy dogs are small. [3]
    • Standard American Eskimos have a height of 15–19 inches (38–48 cm) and weigh 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg). [4]
    • Miniature American Eskimos stand at 12–15 inches (30–38 cm) in height with a weight of 10–20 pounds (4.5–9.1 kg). [5]
    • Toy American Eskimos are 9–12 inches (23–30 cm), weighing 6–10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg). [6]
  2. 2
    Notice the head. An Eskie's head softly resembles a wedge and is slightly crowned with a well-defined but not abrupt stop. The widest breadth on the head is between the dog's ears. The dog's overall expression should be one of intelligence, alertness, and keenness. [7]
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  3. 3
    Inspect the ears. The ears of an American Eskimo are held erect and are high-set while still being well apart. In shape, they are triangular with slightly blunt tips, and their size conforms to the size of the dog's head, blending softly overall with the head. [8]
  4. 4
    Look at the eyes. Eskies have slightly oval eyes that are typically dark to medium brown in color. They are well set apart without appearing prominent, bulging, or slanted. The rims are a black to dark brown color, while the lashes are white. [9]
  5. 5
    Examine the muzzle. An American Eskimo's muzzle does not exceed that of the skull in length but may be slightly shorter. It is broad with tight, thin lips that range from black to dark brown in color. The nose shares this color range of black to dark brown. The jaw is strong and contains close-fitting teeth which meet in a scissors or pincher bite. [10]
  6. The paws of an Eskie are tightly knit and compact, resembling ovals in shape. They are well-padded with hair and have well-arched toes, tough and deeply cushioned pads that range from black to dark brown in color, and white nails. Though dewclaws may be present on the front legs, they are typically removed from the hind legs. [11]
  7. 7
    Spot the tail. An American Eskimo's tail is richly plumed, moderately high-set, and loosely carried on the dog's back. The tail may be dropped if the dog is at rest, and when it is, it approximately reaches the dog's hock. [12]
  8. 8
    Take note of the dog's overall build. Eskies are of good substance and adequate bone, being well-balanced, agile, and built strongly and compactly. They have an arched neck of medium length, adequately muscled shoulders, a broad and deep chest, well-sprung ribs, a level back, and parallel and straight legs. Their gait is an agile, frictionless trot with both good reach and drive. [13]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Identifying the Coat

  1. 1
    Look for a double coat. American Eskimos have straight double coats. These coats consist of a dense undercoat and a longer outer coat of guard hair that grows through it. A pronounced ruff appears on the neck, more noticeable in males than females. The backs of the dog's front legs and the rear legs should be well-feathered, and the tail is profusely covered in long hair. The hair on the muzzle, however, is smooth and short, and the outer parts of the ears are also covered in short, smooth hair, though longer tufts of hair grow in front of the openings of the ears. [14]
  2. 2
    Notice the coat color. Typically, an American Eskimo is a pure solid white color, though coats that are white with biscuit cream may also be seen. The dog's skin is either grey or pink in color. [15]
  3. Eskies are seasonal or almost constant shedders, though their double coats are fairly easy to maintain, only requiring a thorough brushing a couple times a week. They should only be bathed occasionally and no more than once every few months. [16]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Looking at Temperament

  1. 1
    See if the dog is protective. American Eskimos have a protective nature. Though they are seldom aggressive, they do not hesitate to bark at any and all potential threats. [17]
  2. 2
    Recognize a need for regular exercise. Eskies are a fairly active breed and require regular vigorous exercise to prevent boredom and possible destructive behaviors. They are especially fond of working in the snow. [18]

    Did you know? Though they were initially bred to hunt, herd, and guard livestock, the American Eskimo's capability of performing agile stunts, combined with their easiness to train, made them excellent circus performers in the 19th century. [19]

  3. Due to their intelligence, American Eskimos are easier to train than some other breeds. If kept entertained, they have the capacity to learn many things. [20]
    • Be aware that with intelligence often comes independence, manipulation, or dominance. Make sure to train an Eskie with consistency to prevent this. [21]
  4. 4
    Check for watchdog abilities. Along with their protectiveness, Eskies are overall a keen and capable breed. They are usually conservative with strangers, which can make them excellent watchdogs as long as this does not become suspicion. [22]
  5. One of the American Eskimo's most notable traits is their friendly nature. They are companionable, playful, and people-oriented and can make great pets. [23]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can a German shepherd play with an American Eskimo?
    Linnie
    Top Answerer
    Yes. As long as the two dogs are frequently socialized, as American Eskimos need a good amount of socialization to become friendly with other dogs, the two breeds can get along well. Both have plentiful energy and friendly demeanors, making them good dogs to live together.
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      Tips

      • Think about DNA testing if you're curious about your own dog's breed. A DNA test will confirm if your dog is an American Eskimo.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      6. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      7. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      8. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      9. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      1. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      2. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/
      8. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/american-eskimo-dog-temperament/
      9. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americaneskimodogs.html
      10. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanEskimoDog.pdf
      11. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/american-eskimo-dog-temperament/
      12. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americaneskimodogs.html
      13. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americaneskimodogs.html
      14. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/american-eskimo-dog-temperament/

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