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.
|
|
| Breed Name |
American Eskimo Dog |
| Country Of
Origin |
Germany - Renamed in US |
| Group |
Non-Sporting |
|
Coat |
Thick, Profuse Double |
|
Height |
12" to 19" |
| Weight |
6 to 35 lbs |
| Temperament |
Charming, Affectionate |
| Activity Level |
Medium |
| Learning Rate |
Extremely High |
|
Litter Size |
1 to 6 |
| Life Span |
10 to 15+ Years |
|
|
Other Names |
American Spitz, American Deutscher Spitz,
German Spitz |
If you are interested in an
American Eskimo Dog
puppy:
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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"
If you are interested in a
American
Eskimo Dog Puppy:
See our
PUPPIES FOR SALE
or use our
FREE PUPPY FINDER program. |
