The American Eskimo dog is a Nordic breed that shares ancestry with the Keeshond, the Pomeranian, and various Spitzes. Until 1917, it was called the American Spitz; these days, you can call it the Eskie.
Why the name change from American Spitz to American Eskimo dog? Experts aren’t really sure. Some believe that the name “Eskimo” was included to emphasize the dog’s cold-weather origins. “Spitz” doesn’t quite evoke the same image of thickly-furred dogs.
The breed rose to popularity during the 19th century, when the small white dogs were used in circus acts. The Eskie excelled at performing thanks to his intelligence, high trainability, speed, and agility. The shiny white coat probably looked great under a spotlight, too! Traveling with various circuses helped the American Eskimo dog become a popular pet.
The Eskie is bred in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. In the toy version, this breed stands between nine and twelve inches at the shoulder. The miniature version stands between twelve and fifteen inches high; the standard American Eskimo dog stands between fifteen and nineteen inches high.
All three sizes share one striking feature: the coat. Most Eskies are white or white with cream coloring. The hair itself is (not surprisingly) a double coat — a dense undercoat and a long, straight outer coat. The coat tends to form a pronounced ruff around the neck, moreso on males than on females. Long tufts of hair grow in front of the ears, and the coat feathers on the backs of the legs. Check out the back end of the Eskie and you’ll find he’s wearing fuzzy “pants” — longer hair on the rear end and back legs.
When in motion, the Eskie doesn’t pace — he trots. (Just one more reason why this perky dog made a great circus star!)
In general, American Eskimo dogs are smart and friendly. They’ve been known to give a warning bark or two when a stranger approaches the house, too.
If you’re interested in a breed that takes well to training, loves to learn, and loves the spotlight, look no further! An Eskie would be a great companion if you want to try your hand at agility.