Non-SportingUSA / Germany

American Eskimo Dog

The circus star in a snow-white coat.

Weight: 6–35 lbs
Height: 9–19 in
Lifespan: 13–15 yrs

In short

The American Eskimo Dog is a Spitz-type non-sporting breed developed in the US from German Spitz stock, made famous by traveling circuses, that weighs 6–35 lbs across its Toy, Miniature and Standard sizes and lives 13–15 years. Expect a sharp, vocal watchdog that needs daily brain work and steady exposure to strangers.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a smart dog that loves learning tricks
like a watchful dog that alerts you to visitors
live somewhere cool and enjoy brushing

Think twice if you…

have thin walls or noise-sensitive neighbors
hate dog hair on clothes and furniture
can't commit to socializing it with strangers

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 35–90 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study9.5/10

EnergyAthlete8.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10

SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Thick white double coat
A dense undercoat under a straight outer coat sheds heavily twice a year, so plan on brushing and white hair on dark clothes.
02
Three sizes
Toy, Miniature and Standard Eskies share one temperament, so pick the size that fits your home, not a different personality.
03
Built-in alarm
Eskies notice everything and bark about it, which makes a great watchdog and a tricky apartment neighbor.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	6–35 lbs	10–30 lbs
Height	9–19 in	9–18 in
Lifespan	13–15 yrs
Coat	Medium-length, straight white double coat with a lion-like ruff

Side profile 9–19 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Eskies are bright, busy and devoted to their own people. They read your mood, learn routines fast and get pushy or barky when bored. Strangers are kept at arm's length until proven harmless.

With kids

Playful and sturdy enough in the Standard size; supervise Toys with small children, who can drop or step on them.

With other pets

Usually fine with dogs and cats they grow up with. Some chase small, fast animals.

With strangers

Reserved and watchful. Under-socialized Eskies can become nervous barkers or nippers.

Alone time

Tolerate a workday if exercised first, but boredom shows up as barking and chewing.

Training

Eskies learn fast and love to perform, which is why they excelled at circus tricks. They get bored with drills, so keep it varied and stop while they still want more.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8 and 16 weeks, focus on calm strangers, visitors at the door and new places. This is the best protection against an adult Eskie that barks at every person it doesn't know.
Self-control

Teach a 'quiet' cue paired with going to a mat when the doorbell rings, and reward calm before it greets anyone.
What it works for

Small, high-value pieces and quick trick games work best, with treats kept within 10% of daily calories. Freeze-dried liver is one option for new or hard skills; praise and play keep them motivated between rewards.

Exercise

Eskies need brisk walks plus active play and training, not just a stroll around the block. Agility and trick work suit their quick, athletic build.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks or hikes
Agility
Fetch in a fenced yard

Brain work

Trick training
Puzzle feeders
Hide-and-seek with toys

Best home

Apartment OK in the smaller sizes if you manage barking; cold weather suits them better than heat.

Watch for The thick coat holds heat, so keep summer exercise to cool mornings and evenings.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical American Eskimo Dog (6–35 lbs) lands around 350–900 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 425–1,125 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 45–115 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–6 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 350–900 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–90 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–5 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 475–1,225 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 50–125 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–6 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 300–775 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 30–80 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–4 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	425–1,125 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	45–115 kcal	2–6 pieces
Adult Maintenance	350–900 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	35–90 kcal	2–5 pieces
Active / Working	475–1,225 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	50–125 kcal	2–6 pieces
Senior	300–775 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	30–80 kcal	2–4 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Eskies are generally long-lived, with inherited eye disease, hip dysplasia and loose kneecaps as the main concerns. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests for PRA and keep your dog lean.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	PRA-prcd DNA test	Once, in parents (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	CAER eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Luxating patella	OFA patella exam	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks American Eskimo Dog breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA test

Also recommended

Heart exam
Elbow evaluation
Kneecap (patella) check
Thyroid panel
Legg-Calve-Perthes

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, heavy twice a year when the undercoat blows

Brush 2–3 times a week and daily during shedding season with a slicker brush and undercoat rake. Bathe only as needed, since the coat sheds dirt well. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week. Never shave the coat.

History

1800s

German Spitz roots

German immigrants brought white Spitz dogs to the US, where they worked as farm watchdogs.
Early 1900s

Circus stars

Traveling circuses made the breed famous for tightrope walking and other tricks, and sold puppies after shows.
1917 onward

A new name

Anti-German feeling after World War I led to the name American Eskimo Dog. The AKC recognized the breed in 1995.

Questions owners ask

Are American Eskimo Dogs easy to train?

Yes. Eskies are quick learners that love tricks and praise. Keep sessions short and varied, because they get bored with repetition.

Are American Eskimo Dogs good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They bond closely with family and do well with respectful kids and pets they're raised with. Supervise Toy Eskies with small children.

How much exercise does an American Eskimo Dog need?

Plan on 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and training. A tired Eskie barks far less.

Do American Eskimo Dogs shed?

Yes, a lot. The double coat sheds year-round and heavily twice a year, so expect to brush 2–3 times a week and daily in shedding season.

What health problems do American Eskimo Dogs have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 13–15 years. Watch for PRA and other eye disease, hip dysplasia and loose kneecaps, and ask breeders for DNA and eye test results.

Is an American Eskimo Dog good for apartments or first-time owners?

Sometimes. The smaller sizes fit apartments, but barking and shedding take work. First-time owners do well if they commit to early socialization and daily training.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a American Eskimo Dog needs only 2–5 pieces a day, well inside the 35–90 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the American Eskimo Dog ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.