American Eskimo Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Personality & More

The American Eskimo is a non-aggressive, outgoing dog that can get along well in most family environments. They come in three different sizes: the toy, the miniature, and the standard. These dogs tend to remain puppy-like until about 2 years of age, and they are prone to separation anxiety, so they shouldn’t be left at home alone all day while the family goes to work and school.

Breed Overview

American Eskimos are extremely smart, they love to please, and they’re loving and attentive to all their family members. These beautiful purebred dogs feature fluffy coats that need to be brushed often to keep shedding under control. They have Nordic-like facial features, compact bodies, and graceful movements. The American Eskimo has bright eyes that will light up the room and draw attention even from those who aren’t typically fond of dogs.

These dogs are truly loyal to their loved ones and won’t wander far when spending time in public places. They’re great with kids and other dogs, and they tend to take to training well. Overall, these are great family dogs that will fit in well with kids of all ages and will happily behave while on outings. Keep reading to learn even more about this bright, eye-appealing breed.

American Eskimo Characteristics

American Eskimo Puppies

These gorgeous dogs are highly sought after, and their price tag shows it. Many agree that it’s an investment well worth the money, thanks to the loving, adaptable nature of these companion dogs.

There are a few things prospective owners should consider before deciding whether to adopt a particular puppy. First and foremost, it’s important to have the puppy in question checked out before signing paperwork or committing to a purchase. Your vet can let you know if there are any developing health problems to worry about and ensure that blood tests are normal before introducing your new American Eskimo to your household.

Lineage and breeding quality should also be considered. It’s always a good idea to take an in-person tour of the breeding facility to gauge the quality of care, food, and attention that goes into rearing the puppies. You should also ask for a copy of the parent and grandparent paperwork so you can determine the quality of their bloodline.

Temperament & Intelligence of the American Eskimo 🧠

The American Eskimo is naturally loyal, caring, and accepting. They’re also vocal, so they’ll let you know when strangers come to the door. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them easy to train. They love spending time with their family members in a household setting. These dogs get along well with kids and other dogs, but they need to be socialized from a young age to ensure proper engagement.

The puppy phase of these beautiful dogs tends to last longer than most other breeds, so owners should expect to entertain a curious and happy-go-lucky personality for a couple of years after bringing their beloved American Eskimo home. Once they become 2 to 3 years old, these dogs tend to mellow out and take on a more relaxed attitude, even in social situations.

Unfortunately, the American Eskimo isn’t happy to be left alone for long periods of time. If you work full time throughout the week, a household member should be there to keep your pooch company until you can be there to do so yourself.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

American Eskimo dogs are full of life and love to be the center of attention, but they’ll happily share the attention with children. They can be great companions for young children, kids, and teenagers in addition to the adult humans that are in their lives.

But even though they aren’t aggressive or high maintenance, they do need training to learn how to properly interact with others, whether human or animal. With proper socialization and the opportunity to practice their social skills, owners should never have to worry about aggression or the potential for injury.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Because the American Eskimo is not aggressive by nature, they tend to get along with other dogs just fine. However, they need to be taught how to do so through regular socialization experiences. Take your pooch to the dog park at least once a week and introduce them to your friends’ dogs as time goes on.

The more your American Eskimo practices meeting new animals, the better they will get along with them. But due to their herding and hunting nature, this breed can pursue smaller animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits as if they're prey. They should be introduced to smaller animals while they’re still young if they will be expected to spend time with them.

Things to Know When Owning an American Eskimo

There are many more things to learn about the American Eskimo before deciding whether this breed is right for your family dynamic. Here are the basics.

Food & Diet Requirements

Depending on the size of the American Eskimo that you decide to adopt, you may be feeding them anywhere from 1.5 to 3 cups of dry commercial dog food each day. But they shouldn’t get just any kind of dog food. Skip the cheap supermarket brands that feature artificial colors and fillers like corn and soy.

Go for the options that include real whole meats, fruits like cranberries, and veggies such as spinach. Your veterinarian can help you determine which is the best dog food option to choose for your pooch once you bring them home.

Exercise 🐕

You can bet that your American Eskimo will be ready and willing to get out for exercise first thing every morning. They need to walk, play, and have an opportunity to roughhouse daily to maintain a happy and healthy attitude when cooped up indoors. Activities this breed enjoys partaking in include:

No matter what your active lifestyle leads you to do, you can be sure that your American Eskimo is up for the experience.

Training 🦮

Like any dog breed, the American Eskimo requires obedience training to understand how they should interact in your world. If you don’t teach your dog to come, sit, and stay, you can’t expect them to ever do so when you give them a command. Knowing the obedience basics will ensure that your dog can get along well in a busy household, no matter how many people or other dogs live there.

These dogs are extremely agile and athletic, making them perfect candidates for agility training. With the right training, the American Eskimo can also perform as service dogs for people who need support for depression, physical ailments, and end-of-life experiences.

Grooming ✂️

American Eskimos have big fluffy coats that shed frequently, so they should be brushed daily to keep your house from looking like it has thick fur carpeting. Some owners choose to have their dog’s coat trimmed a few times a year to make brushing and grooming easier, but this isn’t a necessity. A large, fine-toothed brush and daily attention should keep the shedding at bay.

Depending on the actual amount of outdoor activity this breed gets daily, owners may need to trim their nails every month or so to keep them from getting too sharp. This breed may need to be bathed from time to time due to their thick coats that can catch and hold onto the dirt they encounter while exercising and playing outside.

Health Conditions ❤️

Luckily, there aren’t many health conditions that the American Eskimo is prone to. X-rays and blood tests are typically part of their regular checkups at the veterinarian’s office to help detect problems before they become too serious.

Male vs. Female

There is always a question of whether male and female dogs are so different from one another. The truth is that when it comes to the important stuff, both males and females are true to their nature and breed. But there can be small differences; for example, a boy can be tougher to potty train than girls, and females can seem a bit needier than males. But overall, both male and female American Eskimos are perfect companion animals that any active person or family should consider adopting.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American Eskimo Dog

1. They’re Lovable but Active

These dogs love a good cuddle session on the couch, so visitors may never know just how active they can be throughout the day. American Eskimos need a good half an hour or more of vigorous exercise and plenty of time to play indoors. As long as their exercise needs are met, you can expect your pooch to lounge around the house calmly throughout the afternoon and evening.

2. They’re Actually From Germany

While they’re named after America, these dogs really come from Germany. They are descendants of the German Spitz and came to the United States with their immigrant owners.

3. They Used to Be Circus Dogs

While these dogs were originally bred to hunt and herd, they became popular among traveling circuses in the 19^th century. They’re agile and acrobatic, and they were the first-known dog breed to walk a tightrope!

Final Thoughts

If you live in an active household and are looking for a loving, intelligent, loyal dog to spend your life with, the American Eskimo breed might be the right dog for you. But don’t think that you can sit around and expect this dog to take care of themselves. These dogs need more than free time in the yard. They expect attention, time, and bonding daily.

The American Eskimo is awesome with kids and other dogs, and they enjoy behaving in social situations outside of the home. They’ll treat the kids just like their own. They’ll end every day reminding you how much you mean to them. What do you think of the American Eskimo breed? Let us know in the comments section below!

• See also: Are American Eskimo Dogs Good for First-Time Owners? What You Need To Know!

Featured Image Credit: Rachel Weintraub, Shutterstock