Canis lupus familiaris
American Eskimo Dog
Featured photoamerican-eskimo-dog.jpgThe American Eskimo Dog is a early-20th-century German-Spitz-descended American circus and companion dog. The American Eskimo Dog descends from the German Spitz brought to the United States by German immigrants in the early 20th century, particularly to the Midwest.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Non-Sporting
- Origin country
- United States (descended from German Spitz)
- Origin period
- Early 20th century (formalized 1985)
- Coat type
- Double
- Coat colors
- Pure White, White with Biscuit Cream — no other colour acceptable
- Average lifespan
- 13-15 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1995 · UKC 1985
Origin
The American Eskimo Dog descends from the German Spitz (specifically the medium-sized Mittelspitz and the small Kleinspitz) brought to the United States by German immigrants in the early 20th century, particularly to the Midwest (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois). The breed was renamed 'American Eskimo Dog' during the First World War, when anti-German sentiment in the United States made the German name commercially unviable; the name has no connection to the Inuit / Eskimo peoples — it was chosen because the breed's white coat and Spitz appearance suggested an Arctic origin. The Eskie was popularized as a circus performer, particularly with the Barnum and Bailey Circus from the 1920s. The United Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1985 and the AKC followed in 1995.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1995, the United Kennel Club followed in 1985.
Standard
The AKC and UKC standards describe a small to medium-sized Nordic-type companion dog of striking white appearance, with a thick double coat and a wedge-shaped head. The defining feature is the brilliant pure-white double coat — a thick, soft undercoat under a long, harsh outer coat that stands off the body, with a leonine ruff around the neck and shoulders. White with biscuit cream (light cream tipping on the body) is acceptable but pure white is preferred. The breed has three size varieties: Toy (23-30 cm), Miniature (30-38 cm), and Standard (38-48 cm).
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the American Eskimo Dog's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the American Eskimo Dog in the Non-Sporting Group. The Non-Sporting Group is the AKC's residual category for breeds whose modern role does not fit the older Sporting / Hound / Working / Terrier / Toy / Herding rubrics; the Bulldog, Dalmatian, and Poodle sit here. The breed's foundation working role was as a early-20th-century German-Spitz-descended American circus and companion dog.
When was the American Eskimo Dog officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1995; the United Kennel Club followed in 1985.
What is the average lifespan of a American Eskimo Dog?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the American Eskimo Dog's average lifespan in the 13-15 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
