5 Reasons To Get An American Eskimo Dog
How an eskie puppy changed my life
I had made the decision… I was going to get a puppy — logistics be damned.
Now, I will preface this by emphasizing how important it is to know what you’re getting into by getting a dog. Most logistical hurdles can be overcome if you’re committed, but please be sure. Don’t contribute to the growing population of dogs in shelters. Before I decided to get a dog, I lived with my best friend and her King Charles Spaniel Mia for a year. I experienced the laughter filled-ups and the bark-filled downs. Understand that this dog will be with you for the next 15 years of your life. If you’re ready to make that commitment, I will tell you why it should be to an eskie.
1. Eskies are smart. Really smart
Whenever I am stopped on the street walking my eskie (Mochi), which is quite often, the first question I hear is “what breed is she?” After excitedly announcing that she is an eskie, I proceed to tell them one of my favorite facts about the breed: they were the first dogs to walk on a tight rope.
Eskies were traditionally circus dogs and the breed today carries on that love of amazing talents and tricks. While they do sport a strong personality, eskies want to please their owners more than anything. My partner and I noticed very early on that Mochi was far more motivated by our praise and attention than by treats. She can pick up a new trick in a day or two because she always watches to see what we want from her.
The trick (pun intended) to making the most out of this trait is to assume your eskie puppy has the capability to get into as much mischief as a human baby. She will watch what you want and also watch to see what she can get away with. It may not come naturally to you to establish clear boundaries — it didn’t always for me — but they allow her to understand that you will keep her safe and they allow you keep your socks unshredded.
2. Fluff and floof
Eskies are one of the most beautiful breeds.
It may be subjective, but I stand by it. One of the characteristics that attracted me to the breed was their fluffy white coat and expressive face. I often catch people staring at Mochi. They look at me and I give the nod of approval, yes you can come say hi. I’ve owned four other dogs and have never received the public response I do with Momo. Part of it is that eskies are not a common breed. I had never seen one in person before picking up Mochi from the breeder. Especially as puppies, they look like little white foxes and this is distinctive enough to make people stop and stare.
In addition to their uncommon appearance, eskies are the perfect combination of adorable and able. When my partner and I were weighing the pros and cons of different breeds, it was important to him that we have a dog that we could travel with, run with, hike with, and take to the city. It was important to me that every time I looked at the dog I would well up with a cuteness overload and have to pick her up and spin her around. Eskies perfectly accommodate both of these needs. The breed has no serious genetic health complications and their high energy makes them perfect to take on outdoor adventures. Yet, the mini size is 20 lbs or less which allows you to take them into the cabin with you when you fly.
3. They communicate well with you
An eskie’s face and body language tell you very clearly how they are feeling. Your eskie will very rarely be a mystery to you. When you’ve caught them red-pawed you will get those aptly named puppy-dog eyes and a slink towards the corner. When you tell them no, you will get a plop on the ground and a very dramatic huff. When you show them it’s time to play, their eyes will light up and their tongue will hang out of their mouth with uncontrollable excitement. When they meet new people they will sniff with curiosity and offer a friendly paw to say hello.
If you are looking for a dog whose needs will remain a mystery to you, an eskie isn’t the right choice. When we first got Mochi, one area in which we struggled was potty training. We took her out every hour and yet she still had accidents inside. We felt like we didn’t understand the difference between her trying to tell us she wanted attention, and her needing to go out. After another frustrating month of wood floor damage, we realized that we hadn’t given her any tools to differentiate her needs to us.
After only a couple weeks of hanging bells on the doors, she got it. When she needs to go out she hops up, bats the bells, sits down, and looks at us. With consistency, she knew the bells were her way to tell us she needed to go out and she trusted that we understood this message because we responded to it.
4. Eskies travel silently and calmly
Although she can be a playful rascal at home, Mochi understands it is time to relax and go with the flow when we travel. Much of this is natural to her and the breed’s eagerness to please, but it is also fostered by mutual trust.
When we first flew with her or took her on a long car ride, she was silent out of fear of the unknown. This may seem fine to an owner in that the dog is not creating problems, but it’s important to understand that this kind of fear and stress can turn into unwanted behaviors. In the long run, if you want your eskie to be a good traveller, their silence should come from a calm state of mind.
For them to feel at ease during travel, they have to feel that you will keep them safe — this feeling comes from trust in you. When those big brown eskie eyes look to you as the plane rumbles down to runway to take off, look at them and pet them and tell them that everything is okay. If you are your eskie’s protector they will travel like a dream.
5. They make you more engaged in life
As someone who battles depression, Mochi pulls me back into the joy of life without my realizing it. I, of course, cannot guarantee that an eskie will do this for you, but I can share my own experience with Mochi.
She has changed my life completely and at the beginning it terrified me. I remember the first night we brought her home. She whined and whined (as is typical on a puppy’s first night away from the litter) and I thought that I would never sleep again. In those first few days, there was a part of me that questioned whether I had the capacity to care for her in the ways she deserved. Julian and I were sleep deprived and running out of carpet cleaning spray, but we stayed the course because we loved her and we had made a commitment.
Over the next few months, Mochi brought us together as a family. I found myself watching her endearingly as she lightly snored during her afternoon nap. I fell even further in love with my partner as I watched him care for her, worriedly bend down and hug her when she bumped herself, and kiss her goodnight. Mochi makes sure that I see the sky and breathe in fresh air when all I want to do is lay in bed or when I get lost in my work. She gives me the gift of pleasant interactions with total strangers when we go for a walk.
She makes me laugh out of frustration and joy and she gives me purpose on the days I have trouble finding it.
The American Eskimo Dog is a breed unlike any other. Their winning combination of eagerness to please, expressive body language, endless fluff, and happy energy makes them the perfect choice for your next dog.
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Sources: AKC American Eskimo Dog, Mochi
