At a glance the quick version
PetMD: toy 6-10 lb, miniature 10-20 lb, standard up to 30 lb; Wikipedia gives standards up to 40 lb.
AKC divisions: toy 9-12 in, miniature over 12-15 in, standard over 15-19 in. Wikipedia gives standards up to 20 in.
Coat and looks how to spot one
stand-off double coat
A dense undercoat under longer, straight guard hairs that stand away from the body, with a showy ruff round the neck, feathered legs and a richly plumed tail.4
Personality what they are like
Bright, alert and friendly, the Eskie is affectionate and playful with its family while staying a little reserved with strangers. It makes a keen watchdog without being threatening.423
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation; tricks, training and games suit this agile breed well.23
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the double coat at least weekly, ideally twice a week, and more often during the spring and autumn shedding seasons. Bath only every few months to keep natural oils.23
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Adults typically eat two to three measured meals a day and puppies three to four small meals; portions depend on size and activity.2
Company who they like around
A family-focused dog that likes being involved; it can be wary of new people at first.34
The story where it all began
White spitz dogs arrived in the United States with German immigrants in the early 1900s. Around the First World War owners began calling them American Spitz instead of German Spitz, and the breed became a favourite with travelling circuses for its tricks. The UKC recognised it in 1919, and the AKC in 1995.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
An Eskie called Stout's Pal Pierre became famous for walking a tightrope with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.1
- 2
Despite the name, the breed descends from German Spitz dogs, not from Inuit sled dogs.2
- 3
It was a star of the Cooper Brothers' Railroad Circus in 1917.1
- 4
It comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.4
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- First recognised in 1919.1
- AKC
- Recognised in 1995; standard approved 11 October 1994 with toy, miniature and standard divisions.4
- Canadian Kennel Club
- Recognised in 2006.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a American Eskimo Dog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: American Eskimo Dog en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, sizes, weight, fun facts
- PetMD: American Eskimo Dog petmd.comused for lifespan, weight, grooming, exercise, diet, temperament
- Purina: American Eskimo Dog purina.comused for grooming, temperament, circus history
- AKC Official Standard of the American Eskimo Dog images.akc.orgused for recognition, size divisions, coat, colours, temperament
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.