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BEFORE YOU BUY

American Eskimo puppies are extremely hard to resist, so if you haven’t fully decided on whether or not you should add an Eskie to your family, I would strongly suggest staying as far away as possible from visiting a breeder who has a litter. Leaving without one of these little cotton balls will be next to impossible!

It is for this very reason that the person anticipating owning an Eskie should give serious thought to his final decision. All puppies are picture-postcard cuddly and cute—Eskie puppies particularly so. There is nothing more seductive than a litter of puppies at play or these bits of white fluff nestled together sound asleep, one on top of the other. But, in addition to being cute, puppies are living, breathing and very mischievous little creatures, and they are entirely dependent upon their human owners for everything once they leave their mother and littermates.

Buying a dog, especially a puppy, before you are absolutely sure that you want to make that commitment can be a serious mistake. Dog owners can be extremely enthusiastic about their respective breeds and may want to recommend them to everyone. However, the prospective owner must clearly understand the amount of time and work involved in the ownership of any dog, and he must particularly understand the character and requirements of the breed that he is considering. Failure to understand the extent of the commitment that dog ownership involves is one of the primary reasons that so many unwanted canines end their lives in animal shelters.

WHAT’S YOUR SIZE?

The American Eskimo comes in sizes that can suit nearly every living condition, from the tiniest apartment to the country estate or farm. The sizes are: Toy, standing from 9 inches up to and including 12 inches; Miniature, standing over 12 inches up to and including 15 inches; and Standard, standing over 15 inches up to and including 19 inches. The conformation requirements for all three varieties are exactly the same, only the size differences distinguish the varieties. Which size is best for the prospective owner depends entirely upon the personal likes and circumstances of the owner.

Underneath the fluffy white coat is an abundance of agility and versatility. This Eskie enjoys an occasional lap in his family’s pool.

Before anyone contemplates the purchase of any dog, there are some very basic conditions that must be considered. One of the first important questions that must be answered is whether or not the person who will ultimately be responsible for the dog’s everyday care and well-being actually wants a dog. All too often, the responsibility of the family dog’s day-to-day care tends to fall on one person, usually a parent. While the children in the family may be wildly enthusiastic about having a dog, it must be remembered that they are away most of the day at school, extra-curricular activities and the like. It is often Mom or Dad who will be taking on the additional responsibility of primary care-giver for the dog.

Pets are a wonderful method of teaching responsibility to children, but it should be remembered that the enthusiasm that inspires children to promise anything in order to have a new puppy may quickly wane. Who will take care of the puppy once the novelty wears off? Does that person want a dog?

Desire to own a dog aside, does the lifestyle of the family actually provide for responsible dog ownership? If the entire family is away from early morning to late at night, who will provide for all of a puppy’s needs? Feeding, exercise, outdoor access and the like cannot be provided if no one is home.

ATHLETIC ESKIE

The American Eskimo stands among the most athletic of the smaller breeds. All three sizes consistently prove that competitive events like agility and flyball come as second nature. It is important, however, always to remember that the Eskie needs patience, understanding and a gentle touch in all of his training experiences. If your Eskie senses that you lack enthusiasm in what you are trying to convey, you will be hard-pressed to convince him that what you’re doing is “fun.”

Another important factor to consider is whether or not the breed of dog is suitable for the person or family with which it will be living. Considering the American Eskimo Dog gives the prospective owner several options in that the breed comes in three varieties or sizes: Standard, Miniature and Toy. A full-grown Standard-sized Eskie can handle the rough-and-tumble play of young children. A very young Toy-sized Eskie cannot.

Then, too, there is the matter of hair. A luxuriously coated dog is certainly beautiful to behold, but all of that hair takes a great deal of care. Brushing an adult Eskie requires time and patience. All long-haired dogs shed their coats in the home. Naturally, the longer the hair, the more noticeable it will be on clothing, furniture and the like.

As great as claims are for any breed’s intelligence and trainability, remember that the new dog must be taught every household rule that he is to observe. Some dogs catch on more quickly than others, and puppies are just as inclined to forget or disregard lessons as young human children.

DOGS, DOGS, GOOD FOR YOUR HEART!

People usually purchase dogs for companionship, but studies show that dogs can help to improve their owners’ health and level of activity, as well as lower a human’s risk of coronary heart disease. Without even realizing it, when a person puts time into exercising, grooming and feeding a dog, he also puts more time into his own personal health care. Dog owners establish more routine schedules for their dogs to follow, which can have positive effects on their own health. Dogs also teach us patience, offer unconditional love and provide the joy of having a furry friend to pet!

WHY A PURE-BRED DOG?

Most dog lovers agree that all puppies are cute. Not all puppies grow up to be particularly attractive adults. Of course, this is subjective; what is considered beauty to one person is not necessarily seen as attractive to another. It is almost impossible to determine what a mixed-breed puppy will look like as an adult. It also will not be possible to determine if the mixed-breed puppy’s temperament is suitable for the person or family who wishes to own him. If the puppy grows up to be too big, too hairy or too active for the owner, what then will happen to him?

SHY GUYS

The Miniature and Toy varieties of some American Eskimo bloodlines produce individuals that can become so extremely devoted to their owners and families that they need extra work to keep them well socialized and friendly. With proper exposure and socialization, a well-bred Miniature or Toy Eskie can be just as outgoing as his Standard relative. It should be remembered that no breeder can absolutely guarantee the mature size of an American Eskimo purchased as a very young puppy. Some breeders are better able to predict size in that they have a long-established line made up almost exclusively of individuals of a particular size.

Size and temperament can vary to a degree, even within pure-bred dogs. Still, selective breeding over many generations has produced dogs that give the would-be owner reasonable assurance of what the pure-bred puppy will look and act like as an adult. Esthetics completely aside, this predictability of personality is more important than one might think.

Pure-bred puppies will grow up to look like their adult relatives and, by and large, they will behave much like the rest of their family. Any dog, mixed breed or not, has the potential to be a loving companion. However, the predictability of a pure-bred dog means that, most likely, the dog will suit not only the owner’s lifestyle but also that person’s esthetic preferences.

Before you bring an Eskie into your household, visit breeders and spend as much time with both puppies and adults as you can. Puppies are only puppies for a short time, so be sure that the adult Eskie is the dog that appeals to you both esthetically and temperamentally.

WHO SHOULD OWN AN ESKIE?

The American Eskimo Dog is long-haired and all white—really quite beautiful. Remember, though, that the breed only looks beautiful with care and maintenance. Don’t forget that your Eskie’s coat requires your attention. Although many valid claims are made for the easy care of the Eskie’s coat, he still is a heavily coated white dog, and he does shed. If you appreciate the look of the breed, do realize that it will take some time and effort on your part to kept your dog looking that way.

While the Eskie can be an ideal choice for the person with allergy problems, it must be remembered that the breed, like many all-white and pink-skinned dogs, can be extremely sensitive to fleas. Unless carefully controlled, flea bites can and will lead to severe scratching. Incessant scratching results in skin eruptions and “hot spots,” which are accompanied by hair loss.

The Eskie is as smart as a whip and is capable of learning just about everything that you will teach him. Your Eskie will be totally and completely dedicated to you, and that dedication must be rewarded in kind. But just because the Eskie is totally dedicated to you, do not think for a moment that you will have a dog that obeys without question. An Eskie needs a “pack leader.” The breed is most secure when it is given boundaries and when the boundaries are consistently enforced.

Your Eskie must start understanding the household rules from the first moment he comes into your home. What it will take to accomplish this is patience, dedication and a firm but gentle hand.

Gentle but firm guidance from the beginning encourages good behavior and builds your Eskie’s confidence to help him through his adolescent stage.

Someone who needs a dog that does well living outdoors with minimal owner interaction should, in all fairness, look to another breed, or perhaps no dog at all! The Eskie must have constant human companionship and social interaction not only with his owner but also with all kinds of people and other dogs. The Eskie raised without this socialization can easily become introverted and difficult to handle.

The young American Eskimo can pass through an adolescent stage during which he decides that his owner or family is all that is necessary to his well-being. Without the benefit of socialization, the youngster can become very anti-social unless made to understand that this behavior is unacceptable. It is up to the caring owner to help guide the Eskie through this difficult stage. Patience, persistence and support will help your Eskie through this awkward time, but it does take time and commitment to stay out there with the “bashful” youngster.

If you are willing to make the necessary commitment that an Eskie requires, let me assure you there are few breeds that are more versatile, devoted and adaptable. Do not forget the Eskie heritage—devoted companion and loyal protector of his human family and their household.

KEEP HIM BUSY

The American Eskimo Dog has a very high intelligence and trainability level. This can prove to be both an asset and a liability. The Eskie whose schoolwork is neglected can become a destructive and noisy nuisance. An Eskie has to put all of that brain power to good use somewhere, and if his owner doesn’t show him how and where, the Eskie can come up with ideas that may absolutely astonish his owner…and not necessarily in a good way!

PERSONALITY PLUS

This is not a breed to be relegated to kennel life or an outdoor run, with only occasional access to your life and environment. The very essence of the Eskie is in his personality and devoted nature, which are best developed by constant human contact. Whether a favorite of the the royal families or a circus performer, everything the Eskie has done has been done in the company of his human family. Historically, the American Eskimo Dog has always been a close companion to man. The breed is happiest and best able to fully develop its many admirable characteristics when allowed to continue that association.

The Eskie owner must be prepared for the fact that the breed is intent upon protecting his home and his human family from any impending danger or harm. The best way that an Eskie can do this is to warn you when he perceives the possibility of anything threatening the safety of you and your family. This is accomplished by barking—sounding the alarm to give you a warning.

Barking is a characteristic typical of all of the spitz breeds, and no less so of the American Eskimo. It is important for your Eskie to learn the difference between necessary and unnecessary barking. The latter can be nerve-wracking to an owner and a nuisance to neighbors. Eskies are smart dogs and will quickly learn barking boundaries if strictly enforced. Do remember, however, that the warning bark is a part of the Eskie’s heritage. It is up to the owner to make sure that his Eskie understands when and where barking is appropriate.

We are never surprised to hear that an Eskie that has been completely housebroken will suddenly forget all of his manners or will become destructive in protest of being left alone too often or for too long. Some Eskies will let their owners know that they are not getting the attention they need by destroying household items, particularly those things that belong to the individual whom the dog particularly misses.

This does not mean that you must be home all day long to hold your Eskie’s paw and cater to his whims. Many Eskies are owned by working people who are away for a good part of the day. Their dogs are well mannered and trustworthy when left home alone.

The key here is the quality rather than quantity of the time spent with an Eskie. Morning or evening walks, grooming sessions, regular training routines and consistent rule enforcement are vital to the breed’s personality development and attitude. If you are away for most of the day, be sure to include your Eskie in your life when you are at home. Eskies live to be talked to and praised by their owners.

A mutually beneficial way for the Eskie to expend some energy is in activities done with his owner.

Everything about the Eskie’s personality indicates that it is a non-aggressive breed. At the same time, though, the breed has an inherent wariness of strangers. We cannot simply dismiss the breed’s history because we don’t feel we need protection. An Eskie’s heritage and original role is that of household guardian. Still, it would be totally out of character for an Eskie to challenge his owner on any point, regardless of how much he might object to what he is being asked to do.

This is not to say that an American Eskimo is beyond testing your patience or the reality of the boundaries you set. The Eskie can be very headstrong and may well act as though he has not heard your command. In situations like this, it may be necessary for you to sit your Eskie down, taking hold of the scruff of his neck with both hands and looking him in the eye, and to repeat your command. A stern and disapproving voice, and consistency in enforcing the rules, are usually more than sufficient to let an American Eskimo know that you disapprove of what he is doing. It is never necessary to strike your Eskie in any circumstance. A sharp “No!” is normally more than it takes to make your point.

The Eskie makes a great effort to please his owner and is highly trainable as long as the trainer is not heavy-handed. Any training problems encountered are far more apt to be due to the owner rather than to the Eskie’s lack of understanding or inability to learn.

Do not make the mistake of some Eskie owners, who think of their canine companions as “little people.” They spoil their dogs to the point where, instead of being additions to the household, the dogs become nothing but nuisances. It must be understood that the American Eskimo is first and foremost a dog. Dogs, like their ancestor, the wolf, are pack animals in need of a pack leader. Your Eskie is dependent upon you to provide that leadership. When that leadership is not provided, an Eskie can easily become confused and neurotic.

Setting boundaries is important to your Eskie’s well-being and to his relationship with you. As we mentioned earlier, the American Eskimo Dog is not vindictive or stubborn if properly trained, but the breed does need guidance in order to achieve its potential.

MALE OR FEMALE?

In many breeds, differences between the sexes are important considerations that often influence the prospective owner’s choice of a puppy. Of course, there are sex-related differences in the American Eskimo that the prospective buyer should consider. In the end, however, the assets and liabilities of each sex do balance each other out and the final choice remains with individual preference.

TAKING CARE

Science is showing that as people take care of their pets, the pets are taking care of their owners. A recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that having a pet can prolong his owner’s life. Pet owners generally have lower blood pressure, and pets help their owners to relax and keep more physically fit. It was also found that pets help to keep the elderly connected to their communities.

The male Eskie makes just as loving, devoted and trainable companion as the female, but in some cases he can be a bit more headstrong as an adolescent. Here again, the owner’s dedication to establishing and maintaining discipline will determine the final outcome.

There is one important point to consider in determining your choice between male and female. While both must be trained not to relieve themselves in the home, the male has a natural instinct to lift his leg and urinate to mark his home territory. This may sound confusing to many dog owners, but a male’s marking his home turf has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the dog is housebroken. The two responses come from entirely different needs and must be dealt with in that manner. Some dogs are more difficult to train not to mark within the confines of the household than others. Males that are used for breeding are more prone to this response and are even harder to break of doing so.

On the other hand, females have their semi-annual heat cycles (estruses) once they have reached sexual maturity. In the case of the female American Eskimo, this occurs for the first time at about six to nine months of age. These cycles are accompanied by a bloody vaginal discharge that creates the need to confine the female so that she does not soil her surroundings. The need for confining the female in heat is especially important to prevent her becoming pregnant by some neighborhood Lothario. It must be understood that the female has no control over this bloody discharge, so it has nothing to do with training.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE LONGER?

If you like to volunteer, it is wonderful if you can take your dog to a nursing home once a week for several hours. The elder community loves to have a dog with which to visit, and often your dog will bring a bit of companionship to someone who is lonely or somewhat detached from the world. You will be not only bringing happiness to someone else but also keeping your dog busy—and we haven’t even mentioned the fact that it has been discovered that volunteering helps to increase your own longevity!

Both of these sexually related problems can be eliminated by spaying the female and neutering the male. Unless an Eskie is purchased expressly for breeding or showing from a breeder capable of making this judgment, your pet should be sexually altered. Ethical breeders will include a spay/ neuter clause in sales agreements for puppies that will not be used for showing or breeding, but will be kept solely as pets and companions.

The ever-alert Eskie, in keeping with his spitz ancestry, keeps a vigilant watch over his and his owners’ territory.

WHO’S THERE?

The average Eskie is more inclined to “tolerate” strangers than he is to rush out and invite them into your home. He is instinctively territorial and knows that his job is to keep a watchful eye on you and yours. Therefore, someone your Eskie knows nothing about could pose a problem in his eyes, and he will be inclined to wait and see rather than roll out the welcome wagon right away.

It should be understood, however, that spaying and neutering are not reversible procedures. Spayed females or neutered males are not allowed to be shown in conformation shows in most countries, and altered animals will never be able to be used for breeding.

There is a difference in the amount of coat carried by the male and female American Eskimo. The male Eskie normally carries a much heavier coat than the female, so there is more for the male to shed during the annual springtime coat casting. On the other hand, the semiannual heat cycles of the female are also accompanied by shedding. Thus, while there is a bit less hair to be shed by the female, it happens twice as often in unspayed bitches.