American Eskimo Dog Breed Magazine - Showsight

THE AMERICAN ESKIMO DOG

The head is that of a Nordic/Spitz type. It is wedge-shaped, has a high foreface and oval eyes that are medium-to-dark brown. Ears will balance to the size of the head. The expression is keen and intelligent. There will be good underjaw. Bite is scissors or pincer; both are equally correct. A full complement of teeth is preferred, so check the side teeth. The nose is black-to-dark brown. We also have “snownose,” which is common in many of the Nordic breeds. You can tell the difference between snownose and a dog that has a lack of pigment. With snownose, the edges of the dog’s nose are still black. A dog with a lack of pigment will have a pink nose, or a pink and black spotted nose. The pink is very distinct and bright. Do not pass over an excellent specimen of the breed because of snownose. There is good depth to the upper jaw, and it balances with the length of the skull, or may be slightly shorter. The key here is balance. We do not want a muzzle that is too short. The muzzle must be in balance with the skull; reason being, Eskies are a cold weather dog. In very cold weather, when the dog breathes in, the muzzle length will give time for the cold air to be warmed before going to the lungs. If the muzzle is too short, air may be too cold when reaching the lungs, and may damage or freeze them. Shoulders are well-angulated, with good return of upper arm. Front legs are under the body. The dog has good forechest, and the proster- num can be easily felt. The front pasterns are strong and flexible, with a 20-degree slant. Dewclaws are not to be faulted if they have not been removed on the front. There will be no rear dewclaws. The dog will stand solid on its front and the same with the rear. The Eskie foot is oval, and pads are deeply cushioned. We do not have a cat foot. The neck is of medium length and is carried in a graceful arch. Note that when the dog is moving, the head will be dropped slightly to keep with the forward momentum of the dog. The back is strong and firm, loins are short and powerful. There is a 30-degree lay of the pelvis. The hindquarters are well angulated, upper thighs well-developed, and hocks are short and are well let down. The dog will stand with the hocks behind him/her, not underneath the dog. The American Eskimo Dog is a single-tracking breed, and is, thus, clean coming and going. The dog should be able to single track in an easy trot, down and back. The side gait will show excellent reach of the fore- quarters matched by a strong driving rear. The legs will only be lifted high enough to clear the ground; there is no wasted action. There will be the same distance between the front two legs as there is between the rear, and the feet will meet under the body. The American Eskimo Dog is not a square dog. To be able to move as the Standard describes, and to be structured to carry the reach and drive defined, the dog is slightly longer than tall, measured from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks (1.1 to 1). The girls have a tendency to be slightly longer; easier to whelp. Do not fault a bitch for this. The length comes from the ribcage, rather than the loin. The dog will measure the same distance from the top of the withers to the elbow as it does from the elbow to the ground. When the dog comes into the ring, he/she will give you the impression that it could trot all day without tiring. Movement is effortless, tireless. The back will remain strong and level. There will be no up-and-down movement of the back. There will be spring in the movement. The American Eskimo Dog is white or white with biscuit, or cream. The Eskie has a typical Nordic double coat. It has a short wooly undercoat and a longer guard hair that grows through it. It is a weather-resistant coat. The coat has a distinct pattern. Note that the Standard states that the breeches will come to the hock. The ruff is more noticeable on the dogs than on the bitches. The bitches will also have a somewhat softer coat, but it is still weather-resistant. The guard hair will stand off from the body and will differ in length from dog to dog. Remember, the girls will not carry the coat of the boys, and they should not be penalized for this. The qual- ity of the coat is more important than the quantity. The tail is profusely coated and carried over the back, either to the left, the right, or centered; all are equally correct.

Correct front coming toward you. No wasted action in movement. Dog also shows correct headpiece. Dog is in a good coat, and the dog also has good breed type.

This dog stands well on its front; has good breed type.

This dog is snow-nosed. Do not pass over an excellent specimen of the breed because of snownose. Dog has a balanced head, good eye and ear set.

268 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2021

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