Choosing an American Eskimo

Choosing an American Eskimo

By: Barbara Maroon

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.

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Top Watch Dogs – Breeds That Protect the Family

      Watch dogs are not the same as guard dogs. Watch dogs alert their owners when strangers approach but do not fight or attack. Guard dogs, however, are formidible opponents that have the ability to protect....

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Top Dog Breeds for Seniors

      Studies show that having a pet to share their love and time can help alleviate anxiety and boredom, and even improve health for the elderly. When selecting a dog, you should consider some basic characteristics,...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More
  • Related Articles
    • 1 Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Top Dog Breeds for Seniors

      Studies show that having a pet to share their love and time can help alleviate anxiety and boredom, and even improve health for the elderly. When selecting a dog, you should consider some basic characteristics,...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Top Watch Dogs – Breeds That Protect the Family

      Watch dogs are not the same as guard dogs. Watch dogs alert their owners when strangers approach but do not fight or attack. Guard dogs, however, are formidible opponents that have the ability to protect....

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Related Articles
    • 1 Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Understanding AKC Breed Groups

      The American Kennel Club's list of pure breeds contains detailed information on everything from appearance to attitude, offering a virtual life story for your pet. It is the country’s largest breed registry,...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Top Dog Breeds for Seniors

      Studies show that having a pet to share their love and time can help alleviate anxiety and boredom, and even improve health for the elderly. When selecting a dog, you should consider some basic characteristics,...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Top Watch Dogs – Breeds That Protect the Family

      Watch dogs are not the same as guard dogs. Watch dogs alert their owners when strangers approach but do not fight or attack. Guard dogs, however, are formidible opponents that have the ability to protect....

      Read MoreRead More
    Advertisement
    Advertisement