On the first day that the breed was eligible to be shown at an AKC show, Sierra’s Orion, bred by Joe and Diana Allen and owned by C. Anne Bishop, PhD., made breed history by winning his way to first place in the Non-Sporting Group. Orion’s ensuing show record proved that his first win was not serendipitous—he went on to win the first National Specialty Show of the AEDCA in February of the following year and became the first of the breed to win an all-breed Best in Show. The historic occasion took place at the Greater Emporia Kennel Club, Emporia, Kansas, in May of 1996.
THE WHITE SPITZ
It is a known fact that there were very good representatives of the White Spitz breed in America as early as the late 1800s. At that time, British authors made reference to the fact that high-quality specimens of the breed had been imported into England from America by British citizens who had traveled to America and back. In 1919, National Geographic magazine carried an article that spoke of this spitz breed as having been popular “thirty or forty years ago…in this country.”
A wintry portrait that reminds us of the American Eskimo’s beginnings.
HOME SWEET HOME
One of the most highly prized characteristics of Germany’s “Spitzhunds,” precursors of the American Eskimo, was their lack of interest in chasing game or straying away from the home. This made the dogs ideal home guardians and they soon became the cherished breed of the common man, guarding home and hearth. The dogs were especially held in high regard by the mothers of the family, who knew that the alarm would be sounded if anyone attempted to approach the children or if the children attempted to wander off.
The breed’s accomplishments did not end in the conformation ring, as many Eskies quickly proved themselves as obedience winners. The first High in Trial and Obedience Hall of Fame titleholder was Donna J. Blews’ brilliant female, Northern Lights Calah, UD, ASCA-CDX, TDI, TT, CGC.
Today, chapters of both the National American Eskimo Dog Association and the American Eskimo Dog Club exist throughout the United States. Shows are held throughout the country on almost every weekend of the year, with the NAEDA abiding by the UKC’s rules and breed standards, and the AEDCA abiding by those of the AKC.
It is to the credit of the breeders and members of these organizations that great care has been taken in the placement of Eskie breeding stock and companion stock. Devoted fanciers have avoided making the American Eskimo the dog du jour, as witnessed by the modest numbers registered with the AKC each year. For example, at the close of 1999, the 491 individual Eskies registered by the AKC put the breed in 98th place among the 147 breeds recognized by that organization. It is also to the credit of the Eskie fancy that such great strides have been made in stabilizing and improving the breed’s temperament that it is now considered to be among one of the finest home companions available.
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