The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of companion dog , originating in Germany . The American Eskimo Dog is a member of the Spitz family. The breed's progenitors were German Spitz , but due to anti-German sentiment during the First World War , it was renamed "American Eskimo Dog." Although modern American Eskimo Dogs have been exported as German Spitz Gross (or Mittel, depending on the dog's height), the breeds have diverged and the standards are significantly different. In addition to serving as a watchdog and companion, the American Eskimo Dog also achieved a high degree of popularity in the United States in the 1930s and 1940s as a circus performer.
29-466: There are three size varieties of the American Eskimo Dog breed, the toy, the miniature and the standard. They share a common resemblance with Japanese Spitz , Danish Spitz , Volpino Italiano , German Spitz , Indian Spitz , and Samoyeds . In Northern Europe, smaller Spitz were eventually developed into the various German Spitz breeds. European immigrants brought their Spitz pets with them to
58-436: A condition in which the kneecap dislocates out of its normal position. They can also be prone to runny eyes, which is most commonly due to having tear ducts that are too small, or an allergy to long grass or stress. It is rarely caused by any serious eye defect. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds . Active, loyal, and bright,
87-464: A member of the family. They are known as very loyal dogs. They enjoy being active and love to be in the outdoors. They are intelligent, playful, alert, and obedient, and particularly excellent and loving toward children. Japanese Spitz can tolerate cold weather but, as it was bred as a companion dog, prefers to live in the house with the warmth of its human family. Though they can live in apartments, they need some time running around outside off-leash in
116-405: A safe environment. Due to the texture of their coat, mud and dirt falls off or can be brushed out very easily. However, due to the breed's thick coat, regular brushing is essential. The Japanese Spitz's coat is relatively dry as compared to other breeds. Their coat should be groomed twice a week using a pin brush that reaches to the undercoat, preventing formation of knots. Grooming this breed
145-405: A type of companion dog and prefer to be an active part of the family. Although they might appear fluffy, they are a low maintenance breed as dirt does not stick to the coat. The Japanese Spitz is a small dog, around 33 cm (13 in)s) at the withers , with a somewhat square body, deep chest, and a very thick, pure white double coat . The coat consists of an outer coat that stands off from
174-437: Is a common condition in dogs , particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 and 6 months. It can occur in cats , as well, especially domestic short-haired cats . There have been several reports of patella luxation in other species such as miniature pigs, alpacas, llamas, cattle and goats. Rarely, it can be caused by some form of blunt trauma , but most frequently, it
203-419: Is a developmental, congenital defect. In congenital cases, it is frequently bilateral. The condition can also be inherited through genetics. This can also be caused by obesity. Diagnosis is made through palpation of the knee, to see whether it slips inside the joint more than would normally be expected. Often, a dog owner might be told that his or her pet has "loose knee", but this is not a medical term, and it
232-549: Is a small to medium breed of dog of the Spitz type . There are varying standards around the world as to the ideal size of the breed, but they are always larger than their smaller cousins, the Pomeranian . They were developed in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s by breeding a number of other Spitz type dog breeds together. They are recognized by the vast majority of the major kennel clubs, except
261-638: Is not correct to use it interchangeably with luxating patella. Luxating patella cannot be present without the knee being loose, but a loose knee is not necessarily slipping out of the joint. Even with luxating patella, symptoms such as intermittent limping in the rear leg might be mild or absent. Physical examination and manual manipulation are the preferred methods for diagnosis. More extreme cases can result in severe lameness. Osteoarthritis typically develops secondarily. The four recognized diagnostic grades of patellar luxation include, in order of severity: Grades II, III, and IV require surgery to correct, if
290-418: Is relatively easy in contrast to other dog breeds. Their white fur coat has a non-stick texture often described as being similar to Teflon . Patellar luxation A luxating patella , sometimes called a trick knee , is a condition in which the patella , or kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. It can be associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament . Patellar luxation
319-572: The Pomeranian . Dog breeders in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s created the Japanese Spitz by crossbreeding a number of other Spitz breeds to develop the Japanese Spitz. Breeders began with white German Spitz dogs, originally brought over from northeastern China to Japan; they were first exhibited at a dog show in Tokyo in 1921. Between 1925 and 1936 various small white Spitz breeds were imported from around
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#1732845386523348-644: The United Kennel Club (U.S.) in the Northern Breeds Group . In April 2019, the American Kennel Club added Japanese Spitz breed to Foundation Stock Service that means is yet to be recognized by the AKC. The breed is also recognized by minor registries and clubs. They are a healthy breed with very few genetic problems. The main health concern for Japanese Spitz is the development of Patellar luxation ,
377-859: The Utility Group . The Japanese Spitz has spread around the world including to Australia , India , and the United States and is recognized by most of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world; by the Canadian Kennel Club in Group 6, Non-Sporting , by the New Zealand Kennel Club (Non-Sporting Group), by the Australian National Kennel Council in Group 7 (Non Sporting), and by
406-705: The American United Kennel Club (UKC), and the first written record and history of the breed was printed in 1958 by the UKC. At that time there was no official breed club and no breed standard, and dogs were accepted for registration as single dogs, based on appearance. In 1970 the National American Eskimo Dog Association (NAEDA) was founded, and single dog registrations ceased. In 1985 the American Eskimo Dog Club of America (AEDCA)
435-487: The American Kennel Club due to it being of similar appearance to the white Pomeranian , American Eskimo Dog and Samoyed . While they are a relatively new breed, they are becoming widely popular due to their favorable temperament and other features. The major health concern is patellar luxation , and a minor recurring concern is that the breed can be prone to runny eyes. They can act as reliable watchdogs, but are
464-437: The Japanese Spitz are known for their great courage, affection, devotion and amiability making them great watchdogs and ideal companions for older people and small children. Most Japanese Spitz are good watch dogs, despite their relatively small size, and they have a tendency to bark to warn of arriving strangers. The Japanese Spitz is first and foremost a companion dog and thrives on human contact and attention, preferring to be
493-766: The United States, especially New York, in the early 1900s, "all of them descended from the larger German Spitz, the Keeshond , the white Pomeranian , and the Italian Spitz, the Volpino Italiano ." Although white was not always a recognized color in the various German Spitz breeds, it was generally the preferred color in the US. In a display of patriotism in the era around World War I , dog owners began referring to their pets as American Spitz rather than German Spitz. After World War I,
522-460: The animal has difficulty walking. The surgery required is governed by the type of abnormality present, but often involves a sulcoplasty , a deepening of the trochlear sulcus where the patella sits, a realignment of the attachment of the patella tendon on the tibia, and tightening or releasing of the capsule on either side of the patella, according to which side the patella is slipping. Some grade IV conditions may require more involved surgery to realign
551-459: The circus dogs, many of today's American Eskimo Dogs can trace their lineage back to these circus dogs. After World War II, the dogs continued to be popular pets. Postwar contact with Japan led to importation into the United States of the Japanese Spitz , which may have been crossed into the breed at this time. The breed was first officially recognized as the "American Eskimo" as early as 1919 by
580-399: The feet, the black nose, and the dark eyes. The large oval (akin to a ginkgo seed) eyes are dark and slightly slanted with white eyelashes, and the nose and lips and eye rims are black. The face of the Japanese Spitz is wedge-shaped. They share a common resemblance with the white Pomeranian , Samoyed and American Eskimo Dog . Description of the ideal size of the breed varies. In Japan,
609-399: The femur and/or tibia. A therapeutic dosage of glucosamine can be used as a preliminary treatment to strengthen ligaments and the surrounding tissues of the joint and can delay or prevent surgery. Additional help can be given with the use of pet ramps, stairs, or steps. These can help the animal travel from one place to another, especially up and down, without adding any pain or damage to
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#1732845386523638-713: The ideal size for males are described as 30–38 cm at the withers , with females somewhat smaller; (the Japanese standard is the one published by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international dog competitions.) In the UK, the Kennel Club describes the size as 34–37 cm (13–15 in) at the withers with females 30–34 cm (12–13 in), which is the same for the Australian National Kennel Council . In New Zealand ( New Zealand Kennel Club ),
667-551: The ideal size is 30–40 cm (12–16 in) for males, 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) for females. The Canadian Kennel Club states that the size for dogs is 12 inches (30 cm) with females slightly smaller, and the United Kennel Club in the U.S. describes the ideal size as 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm) for males and 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm) for females. Minor kennel clubs and other organizations may use any of these ideal sizes or create their own. Japanese Spitzes are generally considered larger than their cousin,
696-666: The original UKC registered lines, and today many American Eskimo Dogs are dual-registered with both American kennel clubs. The breed was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 2006. American Eskimo Dogs are usually white, though white and biscuit is also accepted by the AKC. They are double-coated, with thick straight fur and a ruff around the neck and shoulders. The tail is heavily furred and generally curls over their back. American Eskimo Dogs are small to medium dogs, and come in three size varieties: Japanese Spitz The Japanese Spitz ( 日本スピッツ , Nihon Supittsu , Japanese pronunciation: [nʲippoɴ.sɯ̥ᵝpʲittsɯᵝ] )
725-513: The patella. Most cases of patellar luxation are medial, and this is frequently a congenital problem in toy- and miniature-breed dogs. Breeds showing a predisposition for medial patellar luxation include miniature and toy Poodles , Maltese , Jack Russell Terriers , Yorkshire Terriers , Pomeranians , Pekingese , Patterdale Terriers, Chihuahuas , Cavalier King Charles Spaniels , Papillons , Boston Terriers , Plummer Terriers and Teddy Roosevelt Terriers . Large-breed dogs are also affected, and
754-589: The small Spitz dogs came to the attention of the American public when the dogs became popular entertainers in the American circus . In 1917, the Cooper Brothers’ Railroad Circus featured the dogs. A dog named Stout's Pal Pierre was famous for walking a tightrope with the Barnum and Bailey Circus in the 1930s, and also contributing to their popularity, they sold puppies after the show. Due to the popularity of
783-411: The soft inner coat, with fur shorter on the muzzle and ears as well as the fronts of the forelegs and the hindlegs. A ruff of longer fur is around the dog's neck. It has a pointed muzzle and small, triangular shape prick ears (ears that stand up). The tail is long, heavily covered with long fur, and is carried curled over and lying on the dog's back. The white coat contrasts with the black pads and nails of
812-466: The world and crossed into the developing breed, with the goal of producing an improved breed. The final Standard for the breed was written after World War II, and accepted by the Japan Kennel Club . The breed gained popularity in Japan in the 1950s, and was exported to Sweden in the early 1950s. From there the breed went to England , and the Kennel Club recognized the Japanese Spitz in 1977 in
841-492: Was formed by fanciers who wished to register the breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Following the AKC's requirements for breed recognition, the AEDCA collected the pedigree information from 1,750 dogs that now form the basis of the AKC recognized breed, which is called the American Eskimo Dog. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995. The stud book was opened from 2000 to 2003 in an attempt to register more of
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