Also called as Eskie, the American Eskimo Dog is a breed of Spitz type and that has been developed in the United States. It came from the Nordic line of dog breeds and is often utilized as a sled dog, doing tasks such as pulling heavy luggage across snow and ice. This breed is often mistaken for a German Spitz, and although they share the same ancestors, they have been developed separately for over 100 years now.

The three varieties of the Eskie are the toy, miniature, and standard. The heights of these varieties are: 9 to 12 inches for toy, 12 to 15 inches for miniature, and 15 to 19 inches for the standard. An Eskie that stands below 9 inches or above 19 inches is considered disqualified according to breed standard.

The body of the Eskie is described as compact in build and slightly longer than tall. It has a double coat that is water resistant and which serves as a protection against cold temperatures .Its ears are small and thick and are cold-resistant too, while the coat hangs slightly thicker around its neck and chest, making him look like a lion.

Its hind legs and rump are also covered with dense and lush coat while its tail is plume and sways freely on the back. White or white with biscuit cream are the only acceptable colors for this breed although reap stains are not considered as faults. Grooming for this dog requires brushing and combing twice daily but during its seasonal shedding, it’s going to need more than just twice a week of grooming.

The Eskie is a popular house dog and companion dog in the United States and Canada and its variety is seen living in different types of dwelling. The Eskie is also very protective of its master and loves to be a part of the family. It also makes a good watchdog since it signals the household whenever a stranger is approaching.

The Eskie is an intelligent dog that is very easy to train, highly active, eager to please and free-spirited. It has a tendency to be aloof if it is not properly exposed to people. To avoid this, early socialization and obedience training is necessary and this can include joining dog shows, flyball and dance training.

It is also best for the Eskie to be taken out for a workout and exercise daily so as to shed off its excessive energy. The intensity of the workouts should depend on the Eskie’s variety or size as this is critical in keeping him physically and mentally healthy. The Eskie won’t also bite or attack easily unless it is being threatened and provoked.

The Eskie is said to have developed from modern breeds such as the large German Spitz, Italian Spitz, Volpino Italiano and more. These ancestor breeds came to the United States in the early 1900s with the European immigrants. In 1919, the Eskie was first registered as the American Eskimo dog under the American United Kennel Club and in 1995, it was officially recognized as a member by the American Kennel Club.