AMERICAN ESKIMO
Official U.K.C. Breed
Standard
Revised April 1, 1999
History
The American Eskimo is a member of the
ancient and wide ranging Spitz family of dogs. One 18th century German
historian claimed that the Spitz was the ancestor of all domestic breeds.
White Spitzes were popular in Pomerania and in the coastal regions of
Germany. Sailors traded the white dogs throughout Europe. When Queen
Charlotte of England acquired several white Spitzes, the dogs became
fashionable among British aristocrats. White Spitzes appear in several
Gainsborough paintings.
German immigrants probably brought the
white Spitz dogs to the United States, where they served as watchdogs,
family pets, and circus dogs.
Known as the German Spitz in its homeland,
the breed was renamed the American Eskimo in 1917. This was probably a
reaction to the unpopularity during World War I of anything associated with
Germany.
The American Eskimo was recognized by the
United Kennel Club in 1913.
General Appearance
The American Eskimo is a well balanced,
typical model of a working type Spitz dog, ranging in size from 11 to 19
inches. The body is well balanced and proportioned, appearing neither clumsy
nor racy. The length of back from withers to set-on of tail is equal to the
height from withers to the ground. The head is wedge-shaped, with erect
triangular ears, and readily distinguished black points (nose, lips, and eye
rims) The American Eskimo has a thick, white double coat. The chest, neck,
and forepart of the shoulders are typically covered with a lion-like mane.
The backs of the forelegs are well feathered. The rump and hind legs down to
the hock are covered with thick hair that form the characteristic
"trousers." The ruff (mane) and long outer guard hairs are typically more
profuse on males than females. The tail is richly plumed and carried over
the back. With its alert, smooth carriage, the American Eskimo presents a
picture of natural beauty, alertness, strength, and agility.
Characteristics
The American Eskimo is intelligent, alert,
and energetic. This breed is loyal and friendly, but can be conservative
with strangers. Overly aggressive or overly shy dogs are penalized.
Head
Head size conforms proportionately to body
size. The wedge-shaped head denotes power. The stop is well defined, but not
abrupt.
SKULL -- The skull is broad and slightly
crowned.
MUZZLE -- The muzzle conforms
proportionately to head size and is covered with short, smooth hair. The
jaws are strong. Lips are tight and black to dark brown in color.
Faults:
Saggy flews; unpigmented lips.
TEETH -- A full complement of sound, white
teeth that meet in a scissors bite is preferred. A level bite is
permissible.
Faults:
Overshot or undershot bite.
NOSE -- The nose leather is black to dark
brown.
Fault:
Absence of dark pigment
EYES -- The eyes are medium, oval in shape
but not slanted. Eyes are dark to medium brown and set well apart, giving an
intelligent expression. Eye rims are black to dark brown. Eyelashes are
white.
Fault:
Unpigmented eyerims.
Disqualification:
Blue eyes.
EARS -- Ears conform to head size and blend
softly with the wedge-shaped head. The ears are set well apart, and are
triangular, slightly rounded at the tips, and held erect. The outer and
inner parts of the ear are covered with short, smooth hair, with longer
tufts in front of the ear openings. The skin on the inside of the ear is
pink or slightly tinged with gray.
Fault:
Flop ears.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, conforming
proportionately to the body; strong, carried proudly erect, and blending
into the shoulders with a graceful arch.
Forequarters
The shoulders are laid back at an apparent
45-degree angle and are firmly set. The forelegs are parallel and straight,
with strong, flexible pasterns to add spring to movement. The elbows are
close to the body, turning neither in nor out. Leg length from elbow to
ground is approximately equal to half the dog's height at the withers.
Body
The body is strong and compactly built, but
not too short-coupled. The length of back from withers to set-on of tail is
equal to the height from withers to the ground. Females may be slightly
longer. The withers are the highest portion of the backline and blend
gracefully into the back. The back is straight, level, broad, and muscular.
The loins are well muscled and of adequate length to facilitate the easy
rhythmic movement and powerful drive of the back legs. The chest is strong,
showing broadness and depth. Depth of chest is at approximate point of
elbows. The ribs are well sprung and begin an upsweep behind the ninth rib,
which assures adequate room for heart and lung action. The belly has a
slight tuck up just behind the ribs.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are muscular and of adequate
bone to conform to body size. The upper thighs are well developed and
muscled. The stifles lay approximately 30 degrees off the pelvis. The hock
joint is sharply defined and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is
standing naturally, the hind legs are parallel when viewed from the rear,
turning neither in nor out.
Feet
The feet are compact, oval in shape, and
well padded with hair. The pads are tough and deeply cushioned. The feet
neither toe in nor out when the dog is standing naturally. Front dewclaws
may be removed at the owner's discretion. Rear dewclaws are objectionable
and should be removed.
Tail
The tail is set moderately high and is
covered with long, profuse hair. It is carried over the back, not
necessarily centered, when the dog is alert or moving. When the dog is
relaxed, the tail may drop. When hanging down, the tail bone reaches to the
hock joint.
Faults:
Tightly curled tail; double hook tail.
Coat
The body is covered with a soft, thick,
short undercoat. Longer guard hair grows through the undercoat to form the
outer coat. The guard hair is free of any curl or wave. The mane covering
the neck area is noticeably thicker, forming the ruff, which is typically
more profuse on males than females. The front of the forelegs are covered
with short, smooth hair while the back sides are well feathered. The rump
and hind legs down to the hock are covered with thick hair that forms the
characteristic "trousers." The tail is richly plumed.
Coat length will vary from dog to dog.
Quality is more important than quantity.
Color
Pure white is most desired. The ONLY other
permissible colors are: white with biscuit cream, and cream.
Disqualification:
Any color other than those stated above.
Height
Miniature:
Males from 12 inches up to and including 15
inches;
Females from 11 inches up to and including
14 inches.
Puppy class only -- Minimum permissible
heights are 11 inches for males and 10 inches for females.
Standard:
Males over 15 inches up to and including 19
inches;
Females over 14 inches up to and including
18 inches.
Championship points earned in the miniature
classes are valid in combination with points earned in the standard classes.
Gait
The American Eskimo is a trotting breed.
The dog does not pace at a trotting speed. The stride is quick, agile, and
well timed. The gait, viewed from the side, is efficient, balanced, and
vigorous, showing good reach in the forequarters matched with a strong rear
action drive in the 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 on a straight line directly under the
longitudinal center of the body. When moving, the topline remains strong,
level, and firm.
Faults
Any departure from the ideal described in
this breed standard is faulted to the extent of the deviation. Structural
faults common to all trotting breeds are undesirable in the American Eskimo,
even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned herein.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness. Blue eyes. Albinism. Blindness. Deafness.
Any color other than those stated above. Any alterations of the dog other
than allowed by the standard.
SCALE OF POINTS
|
General
Appearance
Movement
Head
Coat
Chest and Ribs
Forequarters
Hindquarters
Back
Feet/Legs
Tail
Total |
15
15
10
10
10
10
10
10
5
5
100 |
