American Eskimo Dog

**wildWoman** · 07-23-2012, 01:54 PM

Does anyone here have one by any chance? What are they like out in the bush, around animals, how is their stamina?
I'm looking to "downsize" future dogs (below the knee), and Eskies seem like a good choice, supposedly being very eager to please and no chasers. Although they're barkers, I guess. But I've never met one and the Eskie owners I've found in cyberspace so far are all city people.

**Sourdough** · 07-23-2012, 02:12 PM

Suggest you make contact with member "Dogman". Also "1st'trimester".

**wildWoman** · 07-23-2012, 05:28 PM

Yeah, good idea

Eskies aren't sled dogs it seems, but those two being dog people, they might still know!

**gre0481** · 01-14-2013, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by wildWoman

Does anyone here have one by any chance? What are they like out in the bush, around animals, how is their stamina?
I'm looking to "downsize" future dogs (below the knee), and Eskies seem like a good choice, supposedly being very eager to please and no chasers. Although they're barkers, I guess. But I've never met one and the Eskie owners I've found in cyberspace so far are all city people.

American Eskimos are a Nordic breed, descended from German Spitzes. They are not sled dogs but are closes related with those breeds. They have been used for herding, Watch Dogs, Circus dogs (Highly intelligent and trainable), They've also been used as Psychiatric Therapy service dogs. And just a small quote from Wikipedia "The American Eskimo Dog was originally bred to guard people and property and, therefore, is territorial by nature and a valiant watchdog. They are not considered an aggressive breed. But, due to the breed's watchdog history, American Eskimos are generally quite vocal, barking at any stranger who comes in proximity to their owners or their owner's territory."

I have a four year old Eskie and he is excellent around kids, babies, animals, cats, etc. I don't like him playing with the horses down the road as he could easily get trampled.
They are barkers, and I'm completely ok of him alerting me when someone comes near my yard, knocks rings the door bell. They don't like being left alone. They could develop what I call little dog syndrome, (You let him become the train vice yourself). Early training and socialization is important.

They do make an ok apartment dog, but they do love to run. They do great in colder climates. I was stationed in California for his first 2 years, so he did need to hang out inside the house to cool off now and again. My Eskimo definitely has great stamina, he seems to always have a surplus of energy. If you have alot of land, an eskimo would sprint circles around you and go for days. Mine loves to wander, he's always wanting to follow his nose, but that's probably due to him not being neutered yet.

It's a bit of a late reply to your post; Found it on google and just doing some American Eskimo research.

**GreatUsername** · 01-14-2013, 02:57 PM

I had one for a while, but we had to give him to an elderly couple when he bit my kid sister. He plain didn't like children. Apparently the previous owners had kids with a malicious affinity for fireworks, poor dog...

If socialized properly and well trained, I think they'd be pretty great, just watch out if you don't like high energy dogs. This dog was giving my siberian husky a run for her money, and I can honestly say I've never personally experienced jumping like this Eskie. If you have a good fence, patience in the face of exuberance, don't mind a yapper, and train them early in a loving environemnt, an Eskie might fit you well. My preference is for mutts nowadays, but I'd happily adopt an Eskie too, if the right circumstances came along.

**RangerXanatos** · 01-14-2013, 06:23 PM

We have a female this is probably around 7 now. She's very loving. Get's along with the whole family and our cats. She'll warn you of others coming onto the property and like mentioned before, abundant in energy. They are not a dog that can stay cramped up, they need lots of attention and room to run. As energetic as she is, she would make a good lap dog. She likes the colder weather more than the warmer and sheds a lot when it warms up. We've been having an unseasonably warm weather this winter and she's already shedding.

As for your questions: I don' take her out on any trips with me, but we do live in the country and she seems to enjoy it. She does well around other animals, but doesn't like it when other dogs bark or growl at her and will retaliate only when another dog instigates it. She has lots of stamina and doesn't seem to ever tire out.