| American Eskimo Dogs, also called Eskies, are a breed | | | | and 14 years, though make it past 20 years or more. |
| of companion dog originating from Europe. True to | | | | This breed is a fairly healthy breed, although close |
| their appearance they are used to colder climates, | | | | attention should be paid to its eyes and tear ducts. |
| but function well even in others. They require a daily | | | | They are prone to hip dysplasia, Elbow and Knee |
| dose of exercise to stay healthy and are often very | | | | degeneration, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes |
| playful. Despite its appearance the American Eskimo | | | | Disease, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, |
| dog is not a descendant of the Husky, and despite | | | | epilepsy, urinary stones and allergies and especially |
| its name it is not American either. This breed was | | | | flea allergies that can lead to acute moist dermatitis. |
| however immensely popular in the U.S.A. when it did | | | | These terms may seem foreign to those who don't |
| arrive there, especially during the 1930s and 1940s. It | | | | know what diseases they specify, but most of them |
| also appeared as a circus performer as early as 1917 | | | | are common disorders that appear as the dog grows |
| at the Cooper Brother's Railroad Circus, which was | | | | older. One thing you might want to pay particular |
| most defiantly not a common occupation for any dog | | | | attention to is that this breed has a tendency to |
| breeds. The American Kennel Club recognized the | | | | develop severe allergies to fleas. One single flea on |
| breed in 1994 and set the current standard for the | | | | them can result in frantic scratching and gnawing on |
| breed. The United Kennel Club had recognized the | | | | its skin, which gives painful "hot spots" and skin |
| breed long before 1994, and there is no difference | | | | lesions. |
| between the two breed standards except that the | | | | Many people find the puppies of American Eskimo |
| AKC allows the toy size and the UKC does not. | | | | Dogs to be very "cute" and purchase this breed as a |
| The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes - | | | | puppy without doing sufficient research, such as |
| toy, miniature and standard. All sizes are relatively | | | | discovering the longevity and needs of this breed. |
| small, the biggest of them only about 15-19 inches | | | | This breed can take longer to mature than other |
| high. The toy size is indeed a size like any other | | | | breeds, and Eskies can behave more like puppies |
| artificial stuffed animal, and the dogs even resemble | | | | than like adults for up to two years, when they |
| the fluffy artificially created stuffed animals you see | | | | finally start to mature and grow their adult coats. |
| often in shops. Their fur is always thick and profuse, | | | | They are also a very intelligent dog and need to be |
| and usually looks very nice. The dog has great | | | | stimulated. When their intelligence is not stimulated or |
| characteristics as well and is loving, loyal and good | | | | they are ignored, they can even develop behavior |
| with children at a relatively understanding age. | | | | issues and start acting strangely. |
| American Eskimo Dogs live in average between 12 | | | | |