Special Care
The American Eskimo dog needs to be watched if he spends time in hot and humid weather, due to the thickness of their coat. Some Eskies may become overly attached to their owners if not properly socialized, resulting in behavior problems.
Common Diseases and Disorders
In general, the American Eskimo is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.
Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.
The American Eskimo dog is also prone to kidney failure.
Life Span
The life span of the American Eskimo dog is approximately 13 years.
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
