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Introduction
to the American Eskimo Dog
American
Eskimo Dog, breed of domestic dog introduced to the United States from Germany
in either the late 19th century or the early 20th century. Despite The American
Eskimo Dog resemblance to Inuit sled dog, the American Eskimo dog, nicknamed the
Eskie dog,is
a spitz type of dog, Modern families of American Eskimo Dogs can be traced to the
American Eskimo Dog of the late Stone Age
(about 6000 years ago). American Eskimo dogs are intelligent, energetic dogs
that typically have bright white coats.
The standard American Eskimo dog weighs 18 to 35 lb and has a shoulder height of
15 to 19 inch. American Eskimo Dogs belonging to a miniature variety of this breed weigh 10 to
20 lb and are 11 to 14 inch tall. American Eskimo Dogs of the toy-dog variety, which is even smaller than
the miniature variety, has been developed, but the Toy American Eskimo Dog is not recognized as a
distinct breed by the American Kennel Club.
American Eskimo dog s have wedge-shaped skulls with wide muzzles; oval, dark brown eyes;
and triangular, erect ears that are rounded at the top. The American Eskimo dog
has a thick double coats
that are either pure white or cream colored. The American Eskimo dog s coats are thickest around the
neck, where they form a mane like ruff, which is especially obvious on American
Eskimo males. the
tail is curved and is covered with long hair.
American Eskimo dog s have a good-natured temperament that makes them suitable
for many living situations. Because of their high energy, however, American
Eskimo Dogs become
noisy or destructive if they are forced to be inactive. The American Eskimo Dog
is a great companion dog because of their intelligence and eagerness to please.
The American Eskimo Dog is rarely used to perform work.
Below are American Eskimo dog breed standard descriptions
as set fort by the American Kennel Club or A.K.C. and the United Kennel Club or
U.K.C. These standards are for American Eskimo dogs that compete for breed
conformation or show quality. They are not meant as a guideline for a pet
quality American Eskimo Dog. We in no way use these standards for our rescue or
sanctuary. It is our belief that virtually any American Eskimo Dog will make a
fine pet and a long lived member of your family, whether its eyes are blue or
brown, etc. Once you experience the devotion, unconditional love and respect
your Eskie has for his or her family, you will find that in these terms they are
incomparable.
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A.K.C. Description
The American Eskimo Dog Breed has been accepted into the
A.K.C. list of breeds as of October 11, 1994
Most American Eskimo Dogs are registered with the
U.K.C. (United Kennel Club)( U.K.C. Description)
General appearance
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. 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). 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. 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size 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. There is no preference for size within
each division. Disqualification: Under 9 inches or over 19 inches. Proportion.
Length of back from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly greater
than height at withers, an approximate 1.1 to 1 ratio. Substance. The
American Eskimo Dog is strong and compactly built with adequate bone.
Head
Expression is keen, intelligent, and alert. Eyes are not fully
round, but slightly oval. They should be set well apart, and not slanted,
prominent or bulging. Tear stain, unless severe, is not to be faulted. Presence
of tear stain should not outweigh consideration of type, structure, or
temperament. Dark to medium brown is the preferred eye color. Eye rims are black
to dark brown. Eyelashes are white. Faults: amber eye color or pink eye rims. Disqualification:
blue eyes. Ears should conform to head size and be triangular, slightly
blunt-tipped, held erect, set on high yet well apart, and blend softly with the
head. Skull is slightly crowned and softly wedge-shaped, with widest
breadth between the ears. The stop is well defined, although not abrupt. The muzzle
is broad, with length not exceeding the length of the skull, although it may be
slightly shorter. Nose pigment is black to dark brown. Lips are
thin and tight, black to dark brown in color. Faults: pink nose pigment
or pink lip pigment. The jaw should be strong with a full complement of
close fitting teeth. The bite is scissors, or pincer.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on, medium in length, and in
a strong, graceful arch. The topline is level. The body of the
American Eskimo Dog is strong and compact, but not cobby. The chest is deep and
broad with well-sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends approximately to point of
elbows. Slight tuck-up of belly just behind the ribs. The back is straight,
broad, level, and muscular. The loin is strong and well-muscled. The American
Eskimo Dog is neither too long nor too short coupled. The tail is set
moderately high and reaches approximately to the point of hock when down. It is
carried loosely on the back, although it may be dropped when at rest.
Forequarters
Forequarters are well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and has adequate
muscle but is not overdeveloped. The shoulder blades are well laid back and
slant 45° with the horizontal. At the point of shoulder the shoulder blade
forms an approximate right angle with the upper arm. The legs are parallel and
straight to the pasterns. The pasterns are strong and flexible with a slant of
about 20°. Length of leg in proportion to the body. Dewclaws on the front legs
may be removed at the owner's discretion; if present, they are not to be
faulted. Feet are oval, compact, tightly knit and well padded with hair. Toes
are well arched. Pads are black to dark brown, tough and deeply cushioned.
Toenails are white.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are well angulated. The lay of the pelvis is approximately 30° to
the horizontal. The upper thighs are well developed. Stifles are well bent. Hock
joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns are straight. Legs are
parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor out. Feet are as described for
the front legs. Dewclaws are not present on the hind legs.
Coat
The American Eskimo Dog has a stand-off, double coat consisting of a dense
undercoat and a longer coat of guard hair growing through it to form the outer
coat. It is straight with no curl or wave. There is a pronounced ruff around the
neck which is more noticeable on dogs than bitches. Outer part of the ear should
be well covered with short, smooth hair, with longer tufts of hair growing in
front of ear openings. Hair on muzzle should be short and smooth. The backs of
the front legs should be well feathered, as are the rear legs down to the hock.
The tail is covered profusely with long hair. THERE IS TO BE NO TRIMMING OF THE
WHISKERS OR BODY COAT AND SUCH TRIMMING WILL BE SEVERELY PENALIZED. The only
permissible trimming is to neaten the feet and the backs of the rear pasterns.
Color
Pure white is the preferred color, although white with biscuit cream is
permissible. Presence of biscuit cream should not outweigh consideration of
type, structure, or temperament. The skin of the American Eskimo Dog is pink or
gray. Disqualification: any color other than white or biscuit cream.
Gait
The American Eskimo Dog shall trot, not pace. The gait is agile, bold, well
balanced, and frictionless, with good forequarter reach and good hindquarter
drive. As speed increases, the American Eskimo Dog will single track with the
legs converging toward the center line of gravity while the back remains firm,
strong, and level.
Temperament
The American Eskimo Dog is intelligent, alert, and friendly, although slightly
conservative. It is never overly shy nor aggressive, and such dogs are to be
severely penalized in the show ring. At home it is an excellent watchdog,
sounding a warning bark to announce the arrival of any stranger. It is
protective of its home and family, although it does not threaten to bite or
attack people. The American Eskimo Dog learns new tasks quickly and is eager to
please.
Disqualifications
Any color other than white or biscuit cream
Blue eyes
Height: under 9" or over 19"
Approved: October 11, 1994
Effective: November 30, 1994
american eskimo dog
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AMERICAN
ESKIMO DOG 
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
History
The American Eskimo dog 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.
The American Eskimo was recognized
by the United Kennel Club in 1913.
General Appearance
The American Eskimo dog is a well
balanced, typical model of a working type Spitz dog, ranging in size from 11
to 19 inches. The body is well balanced and proportioned, appearing neither
clumsy nor racy. The length of back from withers to set-on of tail is equal to
the height from withers to the ground. The head is wedge-shaped, with erect
triangular ears, and readily distinguished black points (nose, lips, and eye
rims) The American Eskimo dog has a thick, white double coat. The chest, neck, and
forepart of the shoulders are typically covered with a lion-like mane. The
backs of the forelegs are well feathered. The rump and hind legs down to the
hock are covered with thick hair that form the characteristic
"trousers." 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.
Characteristics
The American Eskimo dog is intelligent,
alert, and energetic. This breed is loyal and friendly, but can be
conservative with strangers. Overly aggressive or overly shy dogs are
penalized.
Head
Head size conforms proportionately to
body size. The wedge-shaped head denotes power. The stop is well defined, but
not abrupt.
SKULL -- The skull is broad and
slightly crowned.
MUZZLE -- The muzzle conforms
proportionately to head size and is covered with short, smooth hair. The jaws
are strong. Lips are tight and black to dark brown in color.
Faults: Saggy flews;
unpigmented lips.
TEETH -- A full complement of
sound, white teeth that meet in a scissors bite is preferred. A level bite is
permissible.
Faults: Overshot or
undershot bite.
NOSE -- The nose leather is black
to dark brown.
Fault: Absence of dark
pigment
EYES -- The eyes are medium, oval
in shape but not slanted. Eyes are dark to medium brown and set well apart,
giving an intelligent expression. Eye rims are black to dark brown. Eyelashes
are white.
Fault: Unpigmented eyerims.
Disqualification: Blue eyes.
EARS -- Ears conform to head size
and blend softly with the wedge-shaped head. The ears are set well apart, and
are triangular, slightly rounded at the tips, and held erect. The outer and
inner parts of the ear are covered with short, smooth hair, with longer tufts
in front of the ear openings. The skin on the inside of the ear is pink or
slightly tinged with gray.
Fault: Flop ears.
Neck
The neck is medium in length,
conforming proportionately to the body; strong, carried proudly erect, and
blending into the shoulders with a graceful arch.
Forequarters
The shoulders are laid back at an
apparent 45-degree angle and are firmly set. The forelegs are parallel and
straight, with strong, flexible pasterns to add spring to movement. The elbows
are close to the body, turning neither in nor out. Leg length from elbow to
ground is approximately equal to half the dog's height at the withers.
Body
The body is strong and compactly
built, but not too short-coupled. The length of back from withers to set-on of
tail is equal to the height from withers to the ground. Females may be
slightly longer. The withers are the highest portion of the backline and blend
gracefully into the back. The back is straight, level, broad, and muscular.
The loins are well muscled and of adequate length to facilitate the easy
rhythmic movement and powerful drive of the back legs. The chest is strong,
showing broadness and depth. Depth of chest is at approximate point of elbows.
The ribs are well sprung and begin an upsweep behind the ninth rib, which
assures adequate room for heart and lung action. The belly has a slight tuck
up just behind the ribs.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are muscular and of
adequate bone to conform to body size. The upper thighs are well developed and
muscled. The stifles lay approximately 30 degrees off the pelvis. The hock
joint is sharply defined and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is
standing naturally, the hind legs are parallel when viewed from the rear,
turning neither in nor out.
Feet
The feet are compact, oval in shape,
and well padded with hair. The pads are tough and deeply cushioned. The feet
neither toe in nor out when the dog is standing naturally. Front dewclaws may
be removed at the owner's discretion. Rear dewclaws are objectionable and
should be removed.
Tail
The tail is set moderately high and is
covered with long, profuse hair. It is carried over the back, not necessarily
centered, when the dog is alert or moving. When the dog is relaxed, the tail
may drop. When hanging down, the tail bone reaches to the hock joint.
Faults: Tightly curled tail;
double hook tail.
Coat
The body is covered with a soft,
thick, short undercoat. Longer guard hair grows through the undercoat to form
the outer coat. The guard hair is free of any curl or wave. The mane covering
the neck area is noticeably thicker, forming the ruff, which is typically more
profuse on males than females. The front of the forelegs are covered with
short, smooth hair while the back sides are well feathered. The rump and hind
legs down to the hock are covered with thick hair that forms the
characteristic "trousers." The tail is richly plumed.
Coat length will vary from dog to
dog. Quality is more important than quantity.
Color
Pure white is most desired. The ONLY
other permissible colors are: white with biscuit cream, and cream.
Disqualification: Any color
other than those stated above.
Height
Miniature American Eskimo dog:
Males from 12 inches up to and
including 15 inches;
Females from 11 inches up to and including 14 inches.
Puppy class only -- Minimum permissible heights are 11 inches for males and
10 inches for females.
Standard American Eskimo dog:
Males over 15 inches up to and
including 19 inches;
Females over 14 inches up to and including 18 inches.
Championship points earned in the
miniature classes are valid in combination with points earned in the standard
classes.
Gait
The American Eskimo dog is a trotting
breed. The dog does not pace at a trotting speed. The stride is quick, agile,
and well timed. The gait, viewed from the side, is efficient, balanced, and
vigorous, showing good reach in the forequarters matched with a strong rear
action drive in the hindquarters during the trot. When walking, the dog will
not single track, or brush, but as speed increases, the legs gradually angle
inward until the pads fall on a straight line directly under the longitudinal
center of the body. When moving, the topline remains strong, level, and firm.
Faults
Any departure from the ideal described
in this breed standard is faulted to the extent of the deviation. Structural
faults common to all trotting breeds are undesirable in the American Eskimo,
even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned herein.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness. Blue eyes. Albinism. Blindness. Deafness. Any
color other than those stated above. Any alterations of the dog other than
allowed by the standard.
american
eskimo dog picture site
SCALE OF POINTS
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General Appearance
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15
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Movement
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Head
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10
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Coat
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10
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Chest and Ribs
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10
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Forequarters
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10
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Hindquarters
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10
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Back
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10
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Feet/Legs
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5
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Tail
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5
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Total
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100
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Hi Sangha here, The newest edition of the
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