Snow-white fluffy restless lump with black beads-eyes - this is what the American Eskimo Spitz looks like. A small pet dog perfectly copes with the role of companion and sensitive guard. The small size and light character provide dogs of this breed lasting popularity among pet lovers.
Breeding history
There are two versions of breeding American Eskimo Spitz. According to the first, at the beginning of the twentieth century, German Spitz were brought to the United States. The negative perception of all Aryan gave a new name - American Eskimo Spitz. Both breeds really have a lot in common, but they are positioned as different.
The second version suggests that the appearance of this dog is the result of a cross of several source breeds brought into America by immigrants. These include white casehond, German spitz, white Italian spitz. The result was a small, compact and very smart dog.
The first to pay attention to ordinary circus performers. The ingenuity of these dogs, the ability to learn, along with an attractive appearance, quickly made them the favorites of artists and the public.
After the performance, the audience gladly bought puppies for a decent amount of money. In the United States and beyond, it is still quite expensive to have an American Eskimo Spitz dog. The price of a puppy ranges from 500 to 1000 dollars.
The new breed of dogs was officially recognized only in 1985 by the American Kennel Club. A little later, it was recognized by organizations such as AKC, CKC, NKC, UKC, ACR, APRI.
Description
All dogs of this breed are divided into three groups:
- Standard Spitz. Height at the withers - from 38 cm to 48 cm, live weight - from 8 kg to 16 kg.
- Miniature American Eskimo Spitz. Height from 30 cm to 38 cm, weight from 4.5 kg to 9 kg.
- Toy. Height - from 23 cm to 30 cm, weight - from 2.4 kg to 4.5 kg.
Many signs in animals are similar:
- the head is small, with a sharp muzzle;
- ears are triangular, rounded, covered with short hair;
- the body is compact and strong, slightly elongated;
- tail - a ring bent to the back;
- intelligence - high, the dog easily and with pleasure gives in to training and mastering circus tricks;
- character - fearless, playful and flexible;
- life expectancy is up to 16 years.
Wool is a magnificent decoration of these dogs. Purely white or cream (a shade to brown is acceptable), it completely covers the body of the animal. A lush collar forms on the chest and neck.
The hairline consists of two layers - the undercoat and the outer hair. The latter is absolutely straight and very soft. Such a "fur coat" does not let water through and perfectly warms the dog. Animal grooming is not required. With proper care of the coat there are no problems with it.
Content
There are several features of the content of American Spitz:
- The stormy and cheerful nature of the dog requires a way out. Daily walks with active games will help to solve this problem.
- Care for the hair requires thorough combing. This should be done at least twice a week. During molting, such a procedure should be daily.
- Dog nutrition is an important issue. Categorically it is impossible to feed an animal with leftovers from a table of owners. High quality industrial feeds are best suited.
- Spitz reacts to any annoying factor with a loud bark. You should teach your dog to be quiet from childhood.
disadvantages
American Eskimo Spitz requires constant attention. Unlimited love for the owner has its negative side. You cannot leave an animal for a long time alone. He will have a nervous breakdown.
There are also problems regarding the health of dogs. Blue-eyed individuals are blind. Improper nutrition leads to dysplasia of the hip and knee joints. The lack of a preventive flea control can result in skin dermatitis, which will require a long treatment. But with the right content and upbringing, a best friend cannot be found.