The Circus Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is a companion dog that was originally bred and developed in the United States. Their ancestors were brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 19th century. A fairly “recent” breed, the American Eskimo Dog was recognized b
y the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1994.American Eskimos come in three sizes, toy (9-12 inches), miniature (12-15 inches) and standard (15-19 inches). They are a Spitz type of dog, which is an ancient dog type, recognized by their erect pricked ears and feathered tails that curl onto their backs. American Eskimo Dogs are always white or white with biscuit cream and have brown eyes, while blue eyes are a sign of poor health or breeding.
No one knows exactly the time and place of when or where the American Eskimo Dog originated, but it believed its ancestor is most likely the German Spitz. The Finnish Spitz, Pomeranian, and Keeshond may have also contributed to its development. Because of its appearance it has been suggested that the Samoyed was also included in the bloodline, but this is not widely accepted. In the early 19th century these white dogs began appearing in the communities of German immigrants. Originally they were known as the American or sometimes German Spitz, but when through the name change sometime around WWI. The bred gained popularity as a circus dog before it became a beloved house pet. American Eskimo Dogs were excellent performers, and the first dog breed to walk the tight rope.
In most cases the American Eskimo Dog is a healthy breed, on average they live between 12 to 14 years, but some have been known to live longer. As with most dogs smaller breeds seem to have a longer life span, so take this into consideration when looking into the sizes of the dog. This bred does, however are often severely allergic to fleas, a single flea can cause frantic scratching and gnawing to their skin. Care must be taken with their coats; an American Eskimo Dog should be brushed with an undercoat rake at least once a week.
