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American Eskimo Breed Standard

GROUP: Non-Sporting

HEIGHT: 11 to 19 inches; sometimes listed as Toy, from 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, and all are shown together without designation as to division of size.

WEIGHT: In proportion to height.

COAT: Stand-off double coat of a soft, thick, short undercoat, with longer guard hair growing through the undercoat forming outer coat; guard hair is free of any curl or wave; pronounced mane forming a ruff around the neck, typically more profuse on males than females; front of forelegs are covered with short, smooth hair while the back sides are well feathered; rump and hind legs down to the hock are covered with thick hair that forms the characteristic “trousers;” tail is richly plumed; long hair profusely covers tail. Coat length will vary from dog to dog, but quality is more important than quantity. Trimming is permissible to neaten the feet and the backs of the rear pasterns. Serious fault: Trimming of whiskers or body coat.

COLOR: Pure white is preferred, but cream and white with biscuit cream are permissible with no penalty. Disqualification: Any color other than those stated.

STANDARD:

Head: Head size conforms proportionately to body size with wedge-shaped head denoting power; well defined, but not abrupt stop.

Eyes: Medium size, oval in shape but not slanted; dark to medium brown, set wide apart giving a keen, intelligent, and alert expression; eye rims are black to dark brown; white eyelashes. Fault: Unpigmented eye rims. Disqualification: Blue eyes.

Ears: Ears conform to head size and blend softly with wedge-shaped head; set well apart, triangular, slightly rounded at tips, and held erect; outer and inner parts of ear are covered with short, smooth hair, with longer tufts in front of the ear openings; skin on inside of ear is pink or slightly tinged with gray. Fault: Flop ears.

Muzzle: Muzzle conforms proportionately to head size and is covered with short, smooth hair; strong jaws; tight lips are black to dark brown in color.

Nose: Black to dark brown nose leather. Fault: Absence of dark pigment.

Bite & teeth: Full complement of sound, white teeth in a strong jaw; scissors bite is preferred, but level bite is permissible. Faults: Overshot or undershot bite.

Neck: Medium length, conforming proportionately to body; strong, carried proudly erect, blending into shoulders with a graceful arch.

Topline: Level.

Chest: Strong, showing broadness and depth with depth at approximate point of elbows.

Body: Well sprung ribs begin an upsweep behind the ninth rib; slight tuck-up of belly just behind the ribs; straight, broad, level, and muscular back; strong and well-muscled loin. Forequarters: Shoulders laid back at an apparent 45-degree angle and firmly set; forelegs parallel and straight, with strong, flexible pasterns to add spring to movement; elbows close to body, turning neither in nor out; leg length from elbow to ground is approximately equal to half the dog’s height at withers.

Hindquarters: Muscular hind legs of adequate bone to conform to body size; upper thighs are well developed and muscled; stifles lay approximately 30 degrees of the pelvis; hock joint is sharply defined and the hocks are well let down; parallel hind leg, turning neither in nor out when dog is standing and viewed from rear.

Feet: Compact, oval shape, well padded with hair; tough, deeply cushioned pads; feet toe neither in nor out when dog is standing naturally; front dew claws should be removed, but are not a fault. Fault: Rear dewclaws.

Tail: Tail is set moderately high and reaches approximately to point of hock when down, and carried loosely on the back, but may drop at rest; when hanging down, the tail bone reaches to the hock joint. Faults: Tightly curled tail; double hook tail.

Movement: The American Eskimo is a trotting breed, but it does not pace at trotting speed; quick, agile, and well timed stride; viewed from the side, the gait is efficient, balanced, and vigorous, showing good reach in forequarters matched with strong rear action drive in hindquarters during the trot; when walking, the dog will not single track, or brush, but as speed increases, the legs gradually angle inward until the pads fall in a straight line directly under the longitudinal center of the body; topline remains strong, level, and firm when dog is moving.

Temperament: Loyal and friendly, loving companion, but can be conservative with strangers, but never overly shy nor aggressive; protective of home and family, although it does not threaten to bite or attack people. Faults: Overly shy or aggressive.

Disqualifications:

Viciousness or extreme shyness.

Cowardice.

Overshot or undershot.

Blue eyes.

Height under nine inches or over 19 inches.

Any alterations of the dog other than allowed by the standard.

Any color other than stated above.

Albinism.

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