American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog does require regular bathing and brushing. This intelligent dog can be bathed as frequently as bi weekly up to no longer than every 6 weeks.  With this double coated breed, proper bathing and drying techniques lays the groundwork for achieving a beautiful coat.  Selecting the correct products to meet the dog’s needs is essential to achieve optimal results.

The care and maintenance of the coat sets the foundation for obtaining healthy skin and coat.  When the coat is dirty, the hair shaft becomes rough and eventually breaks down, which can lead to the coat becoming damaged. It also can This coat needs to be bathed and brushed weekly in order to prevent the dog from becoming matted and tangled.  Contribute to the beginning formation of the cobweb matting that forms close to the skin.  This type of matting if left unattended can lead to the development of numerous skin issues.  Therefore, keeping the coat clean and healthy is of utmost importance in order to maintain the abundant double coat.

Before the bath, take a few minutes to take a high velocity dryer over the coat to loosen any dirt and debris from the skin and to loosen any cobweb matting.  Do not move the dryer back and forth quickly.  Rather, hold the dryer in one place and slowly move it through the coat.

The coat should start standing off the skin and not mat up. You might have to pull the dryer farther away from the skin to prevent it from tangling the coat.  Once you have blown out any loose hair and have and lightly brushed through the dog, you are ready for the bath!

Wet the coat and apply the shampoo by squeezing it through the coat making certain you have worked it all the way through the coat down to the skin.  Thorough shampooing will contribute to building a healthy, strong, and manageable coat.  It is a good idea to slightly cool the water temperature down when rinsing the coat. The coat should be rinsed thoroughly making certain that all the product has been removed.  Use a light conditioner to nourish and hydrate each individual strand of hair without changing the texture of the coat.  A heavy conditioner is not necessary unless the coat is severely damaged.  Once the bath is complete, blot the coat with a towel to remove excessive moisture. Try to avoid using a circular motion to avoid any further tangling. Blow the coat out with a HV dryer to remove excess moisture.  

Be sure to hold the nozzle far enough away to prevent the coat from tangling.  Finish with a stand dryer and line dry all the way to the skin.  Once the dog is completely dry, line brush, working in sections, until the dog is tangle free.  It is a good idea to go over the entire coat with your hands, to see if there are inconsistencies in the density of the coat.  If so, continue to brush and comb those areas.  As a final check, use a firm slicker brush throughout the coat, and little to no hair should be apparent on the brush.  Areas to pay particular attention to for tangles and excessive hair are the thighs, behind the ears, the tail, and around the ruff.  It’s always a good idea to spend a little extra time in these areas before you finish the dog.

The coat should be light and stand off the dog.  A wide-toothed comb should easily glide through the coat with no resistance all the way down to the skin.  Pay particular attention to the neck, chest, and hind quarter area as they can get packed with excessive coat.  A healthy coat is light, airy, and has a natural shine.  Lightly trim the coat to keep the natural outline of the dog. Trim under the tail to keep it neat and natural looking.  Be careful not to over trim this breed.  The dog should not look like it has been sculpted.  If the caring pet owner is not willing and able to keep up with the coat, a stylish shorter trim is always an option.

Prep work is the foundation of all grooming.  Prep work includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, trimming the pads, anal glands, and proper dental hygiene.  Mastering these skills sets the professional pet stylist apart from the rest.  Prep work should be done before every bathing and grooming appointment.  All dogs need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis.  Some need to have the hair plucked from the ear canal.  This allows the ear to have proper air circulation.  It is not necessary to remove all of the hair in the ear, as some serves as a barrier to foreign debris.  It is imperative that you are properly trained to pull ear hair before attempting this endeavor.  Proper nail care is also very important.  Long, unsightly nails are uncomfortable for the dog, as well as anyone they might jump on.  Long nails also compromise the shape of the foot.  Trimming the pads of the foot helps give the dog good traction on different surfaces and can minimize the amount of dirt the dog tracks into the house.  It also affords the opportunity to treat and condition the paws from cracks and abrasions.  Anal glands should also be checked and expressed if they are full.  Some caring pet owners prefer to have the anal glands done by their veterinarian. Good dental hygiene is essential for a healthy pet too.

In order to maintain healthy skin and coat as well as overall health, it is important to provide good nutrition to your dog through a well–balanced diet, vitamins, and healthy treats.

Frequent baths and brush outs are necessary to keep the skin and coat in optimal condition. Keeping the skin and coat clean is the key to keeping your Eskie in top condition.

As with all breeds of dogs, the Eskie does have some breed-specific health concerns. Patellar luxation (knee), canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are more common in the breed. Eskies are known to contract diabetes on occasion as well.

Yes, they shed a lot!  Regular grooming will help keep the shedding under control. However, you will not be able to stop shedding as it is a natural process.  You will find hair all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, and any place it may find a place to hide.  It is a small price to pay for the amount of love and joy an Eskie can bring into your home.

Eskies have a temperament and personality that are good with children.  However, like any breed of dog, they should never be left alone with small children.  Their friendly disposition does make this breed a good match with children and first-time dog owners.  This breed tends to be busy and likes to keep moving, especially when they are young.

Whether you have a show dog or a companion dog, the same basic care is given regarding nutrition, socialization, and hygiene.  The difference is the maintenance, conditioning, and training for the show ring.  It is always helpful if your breeder is willing to mentor you to lead you in the right direction upon entering the wonderful world of showing dogs.  A great place to start is with the national breed club like the American Eskimo Dog Club of America, www.aedca.org.