American Eskimo Dogs - Cute or Smart?

We are two American Eskimo Dogs from the same litter, but there are definite differences between us. Although most people unfamiliar with Eskies can't tell us apart, Mom and Dad have no problem at all.

When someone asks Mom how she tells us apart, she smiles, and says "only a mother knows." When they ask Dad, he grins and says "Kenai is the cute one and Chako is the smart one." Kenai isn't sure he likes the "cute" label, but Chako is happy with being "smart."

Mom says she discovered that there seem to be two fairly distinct builds when she was looking through an American Eskimo Dogs wall calendar several years ago. For some pictures she would say "oh, look there's a Kenai," and others "that dog looks just like Chako." Dad didn't believe her at first, but when he started really looking he agreed. So, what's the difference? We'll each describe ourselves, so that it stays fair.

This is Kenai (the cute one, woof!) I am a very compact, fine boned and fine featured dog. I have a beautiful snowy white coat with only a couple of small patches of light biscuit coloring. My thick double coat has a short, dense undercoat, with longer guard hair growing through it forming the outer coat, which is straight with no curl or wave. I have the typical thicker and longer lion like ruff around the neck and chest. That sounds very manly to me rather than cute! My coat is so thick that it's hard to see my ears sometimes. I have very dark brown eyes, black eye rims with snowy white lashes, and a black nose. I think I look very handsome.

OK, now it's my turn. This is Chako (the smart one, yeah!) I am bigger than Kenai in every way. My bones are bigger, my muzzle is longer, and my ears are much bigger. My coat is quite different as well. I have more of the biscuit coloring, my undercoat is not as dense so my coat actually looks longer than it is. The guard hair has quite a wave, which I rather like. I also have the typical male ruff around the neck and shoulders, which makes me look like a lion. My eyes are very dark brown, with black eye rims and snowy white lashes. My nose is dark, but pinkish. Hint - that's a good way to tell us apart. Another is my bigger ears.

I really do think I'm smarter than Kenai. I learn things much faster than he does, if he learns it at all. For example, I quickly learned how to open the bathroom door (if it isn't latched) from the inside by getting my paw on the door edge and pulling it toward me. Kenai still can't do that, he waits for me to open the door.

Kenai: Yeah, but I sound more ferocious when we're guarding the car.

Chako: Big deal, I sound the alarm at the house when anyone comes near.

Kenai: But I'm the one who goes to get Mom when it really looks like a problem, instead of a false alarm.

Mom: All-right boys, that's enough squabbling. Sheesh, this sibling rivalry... Why don't you tell them more about the calendars.

Oh, yeah, right. After Mom got that calendar of American Eskimo Dogs the first year after we arrived, she hunted for one in the bookstores every year. She likes to take one to the office, so that she can see dogs like us every day. Dad has started doing it too. Some years it's hard to find a particular calendar, because the store often sells out. On year she couldn't get one at all. Now Mom has found a place on the internet where you can buy not only Eskie calendars (they're the best ones, of course!) but hundreds of other kinds as well. Would you believe they even have calendars with cats on them? GROWL! What a waste. Anyway, it's very easy to order them. Just click on the pretty picture. They automagically get delivered by the postman. Hmmm, maybe the postman is good for something after all. We'll have to be nicer to him.

American Eskimo Dogs 2008 Wall Calendar

Next time we're going to post some pictures of us so that you can see if you can tell us apart. Mom says we'll have to take some special photos and it's too late tonight.

Woof! Woof! from The Eskie Twins (Kenai and Chako.)

P.S. Don't forget to take a look at the beautiful calendars, especially the one with the American Eskimo Dogs on it.

American Eskimo Dogs - "The Dog Beautiful"

American Eskimo Dogs have long been tagged with the affectionate nickname "The Dog Beautiful" and it's easy to see why. With our sparkling white coats, our adorable dark eyes and noses, and our fun personalities we must at least come close to earning that name. Is that modest enough? Hey, we didn't come up with the nickname, we're just agreeing.

The Eskie Twins are back on the job today. Chako has almost stopped licking his paw, so he's not being scolded as much, and he's back to his usual self. Kenai is happy to share the load.

Continuing on, American Eskimo Dogs have been known as "The Dog Beautiful" as well as by the common short name of "Eskie." We like to be called Eskies, it seems friendlier, but the other is well deserved, our humans tell us.

This is how we're described in the breed standard: "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." Our temperament is described as loving, intelligent, alert, friendly and slightly conservative.

OK, we may not quite measure up to all of that, but our humans think we're beautiful, cute and adorable - when we're being good.

A large package arrived at the house yesterday. We barked at the delivery man, of course. Couldn't let anyone come close to the house without sounding the alarm. Dad opened up the package, and guess what was inside? It was a beautiful painting of us, The Eskie Twins. At least it looked like a painting, but Dad said it was made from a photo he'd sent in. He said they could make a canvas portrait of any photo.

Allright, your humans could have a canvas made of other pets in your family (even cats, yuk) or of people, but we don't understand why they would bother if they could have a beautiful picture of American Eskimo Dogs hanging on the wall. Really, when you think that almost everyone we meet says "Oh, aren't they cute?" or "What beautiful dogs!" then it's a no-brainer. Just think of the praise you'll get for a portait of you that looks just like a professional painting.

Tell your Eskie Mom or Dad to check it out by clicking on Dog Photos on Canvas, because, after all, they're the ones with the moolah! But keep looking hopeful or cute, whine, bark, or do whatever it takes to make them do what you want. You know what works best.

And what better way could there be of spotlighting "The Dog Beautiful."

Woof, Woof, from The Eskie Twins (Chako and Kenai)

American Eskimo Dogs - Where Did They Come From?

A common misconception is that American Eskimo Dogs are related to or descended from sled dogs, such as malemutes or huskies. Opinions on our origin do vary, so I'll explain what most humans think.

This is Kenai talking. Chako was supposed to explain our origins to you, but he's sulking.

You see, we had our teeth cleaned earlier this week and the vet shaved a small area on our front paws to be able to put in an IV. I didn't like any of this! I was very scared when we went into the surgery rooms instead of just visiting out in the front office. We didn't even get our usual treats - bummer! Then, to make it worse they took Chako away where I couldn't see him. I hate that, and get very upset. Dad stayed with us for quite a while, but we still got scared. Anyway, after a while they made me go to sleep, and when I woke up Dad was there to take us home. I didn't feel very good for a couple of days, but now everything's just fine.

To get back to the small shaved patch on our front paws - it felt a little strange at first. I licked my patch a bit but then forgot about it and the fur is growing back nicely. But, not Chako! He kept licking his paw and now the skin is raw. Dad put a bandage on it to stop him from licking and of course Chako hates that. He keeps trying to bite it off, so Dad is making him stay close by so that he can keep an eye on him. Chako is still pouting - is there anything worse than a pouty dog? Here's a picture of him. Doesn't he look disgusted with the indignity of having a bandage on his paw?



That's why I (Kenai) am working with Mom at the computer to tell you about the origins of American Eskimo Dogs. It's not all bad, I get her undivided attention.

American Eskimo Dogs - History

The "Eskie" is a member of the Spitz family of Nordic breeds. "Spitz" is not a breed of dog, but rather a group of dogs with similar characteristics. We are almost certainly descended from the European spitzes, including the white German Spitz, the white Keeshound, the white Pomeranian and the Volpino Italiano (white Italian Spitz). After World War II, breeders on the West Coast may even have incorporated some Japanese Spitz into the Eskie.

We are thought to have arrived in this country late in the 19th century with German immigrants. Commonly called German Spitz in Europe, the name gradually changed to American Spitz, probably because of anti-German feelings during World War I. In 1917 the name was changed to American Eskimo. Why American Eskimo? Strange, as we don't seem to have any connection to the Eskimo culture. One thought is that the first dogs registered with the UKC in 1913 were from a kennel called the "American Eskimo" and that is why the name was chosen.

The American Kennel Club has this to say: "Late in the 19th century, the American Eskimo Dog was extremely popular for use in trick-dog acts in the many traveling circuses throughout the United States. The breed excelled in this job because of their sparkling white coat and quickness, and they possessed an innate intelligence, trainability and unsurpassed agility. These dogs traveling with the circuses helped develop and spread the popularity of American Eskimo Dogs." We've also heard that an American Eskimo was the first dog to walk a tightrope! A dog called Pal Pierre owned by Stout first accomplished this amazing feat with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. I don't think I'd like to try that!

It took a long time for the American Eskimo Dog to get AKC recognition as a separate breed. As far back as 1913, the UKC started registering the breed. When the North American Eskimo Dog Association was formed in 1969, the studbook was closed. The American Eskimo Dog Club of America formed in 1985 for the specific purpose of achieving AKC recognition. This goal has now been achieved. As of July 1, 1995, the American Eskimo was formally recognized by the AKC. American Eskimo Dogs can now compete in the Non-Sporting Group. Some of the American Eskimo's talents are watchdog, guarding, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. Pretty impressive, eh?

We'll continue to keep you updated on our lives and talk much more about American Eskimo Dogs in particular.

Woof, woof, from Kenai.

Introducing the Eskie Twins

We are two American Eskimo Dogs, Chako and Kenai. We are both males and from the same litter, so we’ve been together all our lives.

Our original families live in Oregon, but we now live in Alaska. Our humans, M and D (also know as Mom and Dad as well as their other names) brought us to Alaska when we were just a few months old. We love it here! It doesn’t get too hot in the summer and the winters are wonderful. We love the snow, and we get plenty of it.

We’ve been pestering M to start a blog for us, so that we can tell you about our lives, and also give you some useful information.

For you Eskies, we’ll give you the inside scoop on how to deal with your humans. It’s important to let them feel that they’re the boss, but you still have to be able to get what you want without upsetting them.

For you humans, we’ll give you insight on how to make make sure your American Eskimo Dogs are happy and healthy.

This is a picture of us when we were just finishing eating one of our favorite treats - Greenies. If you haven't ever had one, you should let your human know that you not only love them, but that they're also good for your teeth.

Chako is on the left (he always finishes first) and Kenai is on the right.