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View 8 More +If you’re looking for an easily trainable dog, the Miniature American Eskimo Dog has to be near the top of your list. These dogs love to please their owners, and they have the intelligence level to make it happen.
Moreover, they’re incredibly loyal, loving, and super adorable. However, before you rush out and purchase one, you need to keep in mind that they’re also extremely high energy, a bit needy, and expensive.
Breed Overview
Height:
12–15 inches
Weight:
17–23 pounds
Lifespan:
13–15 years
Colors:
White or cream
Suitable for:
Families, those with a fenced-in yard, and multi-pet households
Temperament:
Loyal, intelligent, obedient, alert, friendly, affectionate, and playful
If you’re interested in their so-called “Eskimo” heritage, you’re probably going to be a little disappointed. Intrigued? You should be. That’s why we broke down everything you need to know about these lovable pups for you here.
Miniature American Eskimo Dog Characteristics
Miniature American Eskimo Dog Puppies
Bringing a Miniature American Eskimo puppy home is quite an adventure and knowing what to expect is important. These puppies are energetic and curious and will require plenty of activity. Socialization should be done from an early age to shape their friendly and outgoing nature. If not, they tend to be shy or more reserved, especially around strangers.
Miniature American Eskimo puppies come with a fluffy, high-shedding coat so getting into a regular brushing routine will be very helpful. They are intelligent and, hence, learn fast. This intelligence, combined with the fact that they love to please, makes early training a necessity and very rewarding. Puppy training should be short and fun since their attention span is limited at a young age. Positive reinforcement works best; praise them and give them treats when they obey commands.
If you’re purchasing a Mini American Eskimo puppy from a breeder, look for someone reputable who prioritizes health screenings for genetic conditions like hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. A good breeder will also ensure the puppy has been well-socialized and is up-to-date with vaccinations.
A well-cared-for Miniature American Eskimo puppy will grow into a loyal, loving, energetic companion.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature American Eskimo Dog
We can’t talk about the Miniature American Eskimo Dog’s temperament without mentioning their desire to please their owners. It’s what these dogs live for, and it’s one of the primary reasons that they took off in popularity.
Their high trainability and eagerness to please are why they used to make popular circus dogs. They’re also extremely friendly and curious, even if they are a bit shy around new people. Still, they’re loving and want to be a part of your daily life. Don’t expect these dogs to be happy at home while you’re out and about all day!
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
The Miniature American Eskimo Dog is great with families. They’re generally large enough to avoid getting trampled by smaller children, but they’re not too large to accidentally do the trampling!
Furthermore, they love being around their family, and they have no problem fitting into the hustle and bustle of a busy household. Finally, while they’re high-energy dogs, they have a laidback temperament when it comes to children.
So, while you should supervise your children around your dog, the Miniature American Eskimo Dog is generally a little more forgiving than many other breeds.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
When you socialize your Miniature American Eskimo Dog early in life, they shouldn’t have any problems getting along with other pets in the home. Not only should they get along with other dogs, but they generally do well around cats and other smaller pets too.
However, before you bring any new pet into the home, it’s always best to complete a trial run and introduce them to all the pets in your home to ensure that they’ll have a smooth transition.
Things to Know When Owning a Miniature American Eskimo Dog
While the Miniature American Eskimo Dog is a relatively easy dog to care for, there are still a few things that you should be aware of. From their diet to their grooming requirements, we broke down everything that you need to know here. This way, you’re not in for any surprises after you bring your new dog home!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Due to their smaller size, your Miniature American Eskimo Dog simply doesn’t eat as much as larger dog breeds. Depending on whether your dog is on the smaller or larger size of the Miniature scale, they should eat between 1 ¼ and 1 ¾ cup of high-quality kibble each day.
This means a larger bag of dog food can last you between 2 and 3 months, which drives down the price of feeding them to $25 to $30 a month for a high-quality choice.
You can supplement their diet with treats—just don’t overdo it!
Exercise 🐕
The Miniature American Eskimo Dog is an extremely high-energy breed, so you need to take them out for long walks every day. We recommend at least 60 minutes of walking a day. You can break this up into shorter walks or head out for a long walk each day.
We also recommend having a fenced-in area where your Miniature American Eskimo Dog can run around, but this won’t replace their walks or other exercise activities.
If you don’t meet their rigorous exercise requirements, there’s a good chance that your pup will resort to destructive boredom behaviors to release some of their energy.
Training 🎾
One of the best parts of a Miniature American Eskimo Dog is their high trainability level! They’re extremely intelligent, and if you stay persistent, you can train them to do just about anything.
Keep the training sessions short and stick with positive reinforcement. Remember, your Miniature American Eskimo Dog is extremely eager to please, and if they realize that they’re making you happy, they’re more likely to do those actions again.
They’re also a bit shy, so if you start to berate them, they’re more likely to shrink into a shell and be less responsive.
Grooming ✂️
While caring for a Miniature American Eskimo Dog is relatively easy overall, everything changes when it comes to grooming. They shed a ton, and you should brush them out daily to help keep it under control and prevent matting.
Moreover, they have a dual coat, and they blow that coat about twice a year. You’ll likely need to brush out your Miniature American Eskimo Dog a couple of times a day during these times.
You also need to keep up with their oral hygiene. Brush their teeth a few times a week. While they might not like it, these teeth brushings can end up saving you hundreds of dollars in future vet bills.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Miniature American Eskimo might not have a ton of genetic conditions that you need to keep an eye out for, but they do have more than some other breeds. Here, we highlighted a few conditions that you need to keep an eye out for if you own a Miniature American Eskimo Dog.
If you notice any of these conditions, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
- Hip dysplasia
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Allergies
- Obesity
- Ear infections
Male vs. Female
While there aren’t many differences between a male and female Miniature American Eskimo Dog, there are at least two that you should be aware of.
First is their size. Males tend to be a little larger than females from the same litter. The majority of their size does come down to the size of their parents but expect females to be a little smaller across the board.
The second difference concerns their temperament. Males typically need a little more attention and care, and they are in your face about it more. They also tend to be a little more territorial, but that’s not a major concern for the Miniature American Eskimo Dog.
Females still need plenty of attention, but they’re often a bit more aloof about it. They need you to come to them, and they aren’t as needy.
Of course, both are affected by your individual dog’s personality too.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Miniature American Eskimo Dog
1. They Actually Have a German Lineage
While they might have “Eskimo” in the name, that’s actually a complete misnomer. The American Eskimo Dog comes from a German lineage and has nothing to do with indigenous populations in the Americas.
Originally, they were known as the German Spitz, but after the United States entered World War I, people were no longer content with the German name. The name changed to the American Eskimo Dog and never changed back!
2. They Are a High-Energy Breed
While the Miniature American Eskimo might be a little smaller than their standard size version, their energy levels didn’t shrink with them. They are extremely high-energy breeds, and they need to stay in the thick of things.
If you’re not giving these dogs the attention that they need, they’re prone to get into trouble, so ensure that you have plenty of time and space to take them outside before purchasing one.
3. They Shed Constantly
The American Eskimo Dog has a dual coat, and they shed constantly. They’re among the highest shedding dog breeds in the country. Not only do they shed year-round, but they also blow their coat twice a year to adapt to the changing seasons.
This means if you’re getting an American Eskimo Dog, you need to get comfortable with pet hair all over the place.
Conclusion
The Miniature American Eskimo is an outstanding choice if you want a highly trainable dog to look after for years to come. However, keep in mind that they do have longer lifespans, and their exercise requirements are no joke.
The last thing that you want to get is a dog that you can’t properly care for, and they end up tearing apart your home as a result. These aren’t dogs that want to be left behind during your busy life! Just do your homework, and make an honest assessment of how much time you have each day to devote to them.
Featured Image Credit: Bikenbark, Shutterstock
