American
Eskimo General Appearance
The American Eskimo Dog, a
loving companion dog, presents a picture of strength and agility, alertness
and beauty. It is a small to medium-size Nordic type dog, always white,
or white with biscuit cream. The American Eskimo Dog is compactly built
and well balanced, with good substance, and an alert, smooth gait. The
face is Nordic type with erect triangular shaped ears, and distinctive
black points (lips, nose, and eye rims). The white double coat consists
of a short, dense undercoat, with a longer guard hair growing through
it forming the outer coat, which is straight with no curl or wave. The
coat is thicker and longer around the neck and chest forming a lion-like
ruff, which is more noticeable on dogs than on bitches. The rump and
hind legs down to the hocks are also covered with thicker, longer hair
forming the characteristic breeches. The richly plumed tail is carried
loosely on the back.
American
Eskimo Size, Proportion, Substance
Size There are three separate size divisions of the American Eskimo
Dog (all measurements are heights at withers): Toy, 9 inches to and
including 12 inches; Miniature, over 12 inches to and including 15 inches;
and Standard, over 15 inches to and including 19 inches. There is no
preference for size within each division. Disqualification: Under 9
inches or over 19 inches. Proportion. Length of back from point of shoulder
to point of buttocks is slightly greater than height at withers, an
approximate 1.1 to 1 ratio. Substance. The American Eskimo Dog is strong
and compactly built with adequate bone.
American
Eskimo Head
Expression is keen, intelligent, and alert. Eyes are not fully round,
but slightly oval. They should be set well apart, and not slanted, prominent
or bulging. Tear stain, unless severe, is not to be faulted. Presence
of tear stain should not outweigh consideration of type, structure,
or temperament. Dark to medium brown is the preferred eye color. Eye
rims are black to dark brown. Eyelashes are white. Faults: amber eye
color or pink eye rims. Disqualification: blue eyes. Ears should conform
to head size and be triangular, slightly blunt-tipped, held erect, set
on high yet well apart, and blend softly with the head. Skull is slightly
crowned and softly wedge-shaped, with widest breadth between the ears.
The stop is well defined, although not abrupt. The muzzle is broad,
with length not exceeding the length of the skull, although it may be
slightly shorter. Nose pigment is black to dark brown. Lips are thin
and tight, black to dark brown in color. Faults: pink nose pigment or
pink lip pigment. The jaw should be strong with a full complement of
close fitting teeth. The bite is scissors, or pincer.
American
Eskimo Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is carried proudly erect, well set on, medium in length,
and in a strong, graceful arch. The topline is level. The body of the
American Eskimo Dog is strong and compact, but not cobby. The chest
is deep and broad with well-sprung ribs. Depth of chest extends approximately
to point of elbows. Slight tuck-up of belly just behind the ribs. The
back is straight, broad, level, and muscular. The loin is strong and
well-muscled. The American Eskimo Dog is neither too long nor too short
coupled. The tail is set moderately high and reaches approximately to
the point of hock when down. It is carried loosely on the back, although
it may be dropped when at rest.
American
Eskimo Forequarters
Forequarters are well angulated. The shoulder is firmly set and
has adequate muscle but is not overdeveloped. The shoulder blades are
well laid back and slant 45° with the horizontal. At the point of
shoulder the shoulder blade forms an approximate right angle with the
upper arm. The legs are parallel and straight to the pasterns. The pasterns
are strong and flexible with a slant of about 20°. Length of leg
in proportion to the body. Dewclaws on the front legs may be removed
at the owner's discretion; if present, they are not to be faulted. Feet
are oval, compact, tightly knit and well padded with hair. Toes are
well arched. Pads are black to dark brown, tough and deeply cushioned.
Toenails are white.
American
Eskimo Hindquarters
Hindquarters are well angulated. The lay of the pelvis is approximately
30° to the horizontal. The upper thighs are well developed. Stifles
are well bent. Hock joints are well let down and firm. The rear pasterns
are straight. Legs are parallel from the rear and turn neither in nor
out. Feet are as described for the front legs. Dewclaws are not present
on the hind legs.
American
Eskimo Coat
The American Eskimo Dog has a stand-off, double coat consisting
of a dense undercoat and a longer coat of guard hair growing through
it to form the outer coat. It is straight with no curl or wave. There
is a pronounced ruff around the neck which is more noticeable on dogs
than bitches. Outer part of the ear should be well covered with short,
smooth hair, with longer tufts of hair growing in front of ear openings.
Hair on muzzle should be short and smooth. The backs of the front legs
should be well feathered, as are the rear legs down to the hock. The
tail is covered profusely with long hair. THERE IS TO BE NO TRIMMING
OF THE WHISKERS OR BODY COAT AND SUCH TRIMMING WILL BE SEVERELY PENALIZED.
The only permissible trimming is to neaten the feet and the backs of
the rear pasterns.
American
Eskimo Color
Pure white is the preferred color, although white with biscuit cream
is permissible. Presence of biscuit cream should not outweigh consideration
of type, structure, or temperament. The skin of the American Eskimo
Dog is pink or gray. Disqualification: any color other than white or
biscuit cream.
American
Eskimo Gait
The American Eskimo Dog shall trot, not pace. The gait is agile,
bold, well balanced, and frictionless, with good forequarter reach and
good hindquarter drive. As speed increases, the American Eskimo Dog
will single track with the legs converging toward the center line of
gravity while the back remains firm, strong, and level.
American
Eskimo Temperament
The American Eskimo Dog is intelligent, alert, and friendly, although
slightly conservative. It is never overly shy nor aggressive, and such
dogs are to be severely penalized in the show ring. At home it is an
excellent watchdog, sounding a warning bark to announce the arrival
of any stranger. It is protective of its home and family, although it
does not threaten to bite or attack people. The American Eskimo Dog
learns new tasks quickly and is eager to please.
Disqualifications
Any color other than white or biscuit cream
Blue eyes
Height: under 9" or over 19"