American Eskimo (Eskie): Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

Friendliness
Medium

Kid-Friendly
Medium

Pet-Friendly
Medium

Exercise Needs
High

Playfulness
High

Energy Level
High

Trainability
High

Intelligence
High

Tendency to Bark
High

Amount of Shedding
Medium

History of the American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog, or Eskie, is a breed created by German immigrants in the upper Midwestern United States—not by Eskimos. German farm owners in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio brought German spitz dogs with them, considered an all-around farm dog.

Like most spitz breeds, the German spitz had a curly tail, a thick coat, and pointed ears. The breed was refined into its flashy all-white version over time, and its charming looks and quick wit quickly earned it a place with circuses and vaudeville acts. One of the most famous dogs of all time was an American Eskimo dog by the name of Pierre, a tightrope walker from the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The German spitz breed’s name was changed after World War I, thanks to anti-German sentiment. The name “American Eskimo” was chosen to honor an Ohio breeding kennel of the same name. Although the breed has a long history of being an all-purpose farm dog in the Midwest for decades, it was only recognized by the AKC in 1995.

American Eskimo dogs still make excellent training partners for trick dogs, obedience, agility, and more, but they’re generally kept as pets rather than working farm dogs.

Eskimo Dogs at the Mineola Dog Show

 Buyenlarge / Getty Images

American Eskimo Dog Care

Eskies are commonly described as “busy” dogs that need quite a bit more exercise and mental enrichment than some other small, white, fluffy breeds, like shih tzus and bichon frises. Unlike those breeds, Eskies were working dogs just a few decades ago. Give your dog an hour of activity per day plus three different training activities per week. Food-dispensing toys and trick training are both fun ways to help work your dog’s mind.

Exercise

A walk or even a game of fetch won’t cut it for these dogs—they need mental challenges as well as physical exertion. Without proper exercise and enrichment, this breed quickly becomes destructive and vocal. Tools like bark collars may silence your dog but are likely to cause redirected frustration in the form of digging, chewing, or other distress behaviors. Frequent hikes, activity walks, and dog sports can help keep your American Eskimo dog content.

Grooming

Grooming American Eskimo dogs requires constant vigilance—this small, hairy breed can get out of control quickly. Brushing these dogs several times per week will keep the hair in check and help reduce shedding. Take special care to work out mats around the harness, collar, ears, and rump areas. Long-haired double-coated dogs generally need a variety of grooming tools, including rakes, bristle brushes, rotating-tooth combs, and wire pin brushes. Don’t shave Eskies, even in the summer—this can damage their double coat and reduce their ability to deal with heat or cold.

Training

American Eskimo dogs are inherently stubborn so training is necessary or you’ll have an obstinate pup on your hands. Puppies will need socialization training and older adopted Eskies may need obedience training. Keep training fun and lighthearted with an Eskie, and don’t expect perfection with this breed. If a session is getting frustrating, try to make it easier or cut it short for the day.

Ryan Jello / Getty Images 

nwbob / Getty Images

Common Health Problems

The American Eskimo dog is a relatively healthy dog breed, probably due to its recent history as a working dog. This breed is vulnerable to conditions such as: 

• Hip dysplasia: This is a condition in which the dog’s hip sockets form abnormally.
• Luxating patella: This is a condition in which the kneecap dislocates from its normal position.
• Diabetes: The condition is a metabolism disorder in which the glucose-insulin connection doesn’t work properly.

While there’s a significant genetic component to diabetes, it’s also important to feed your dog regular meals of high-quality food. Free-feeding (providing food at all times) and high-fat diets can contribute to diabetes even if your dog isn’t overweight.

Some of these problems are best avoided by finding a good breeder and ensuring that they do appropriate health testing. Keep in mind that good health testing is much more extensive than just a veterinary checkup—the parent dogs generally need genetic testing and/or medical imaging to rule out genetic issues. Once your dog is in your home, you can ensure it lives a long and healthy life with sufficient exercise and high-quality food.

The Spruce / Kelly Miller

Diet and Nutrition

Despite being naturally athletic, the American Eskimo dog gains weight rather easily. This might be due to genetic factors or because their thick fur makes it hard to tell if they’re putting on the pounds. Using your hands to rub your dog along the ribs can help you feel for its true size. You should be able to feel the definition in your dog’s hips and a few ribs quite easily, though they shouldn’t protrude, either.

Puzzle feeders help slow your dog down and burn off energy, and can help your dog enjoy its high-quality dog food. Avoid high-fat food with this breed, as this might increase their already elevated risk for diabetes.

Where to Adopt or Buy an American Eskimo Dog

Finding this purebred dog in a shelter or rescue may be difficult, but not impossible, so you may need to turn to a breeder. The American Eskimo Dog Club of America is a great place to start your search for a breeder or a rescue organization with leads on adoptable Eskies. Just be aware that the club does not endorse or monitor the practices of any of its breeder members.

American Eskimo Dog Overview

Pros

• Playful

• Intelligent

• Easy and fun to train

Cons

• High-maintenance (require lots of attention and care)

• Nuisance barker

• Tends to destructive behavior if not provided sufficient stimulation

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before you bring home an American Eskimo dog, you might want to explore some other similar breeds to compare their personalities and needs. Be sure to speak to owners, breeders, and rescue groups and meet a few American Eskimo dogs in person to learn more.

If you’re interested in related breeds, check out:

Otherwise, check out all of our other dog breed profiles. There’s the perfect companion out there for everyone!

FAQ

• Are Eskies good dogs for families with very young children?

  These dogs need lots of attention and care, which can make them difficult pets for busy families on the go. While they often play well with older children, their high-energy nature can be too much for younger children.

• Are American Eskimo dogs good apartment dogs?

  This breed is known for a wide variety of barks, yips, yowls, and even screams that can drive your neighbors batty if left unchecked. For this reason, Eskies can be too vocal for apartment dwellers.

• What can Eskies be trained to do?

  Generally, this breed is smart and easy to train. In fact, teaching American Eskimo dogs different tricks like “wave” or “sit pretty” can also function as a workout to strengthen your dog’s back and core muscles. Training these dogs is so much fun that you might be motivated to pursue an AKC Trick Dog Title.