The American Eskimo Dog is a member of the Spitz family of dogs.  The Spitz trace their history back to the Peat bog Dog of the Swiss Lakes region, who lived around 4000 B.C.E.  Other members of the Spitz family include the Pomeranian, the German Spitz, Akita, Keeshond, and the Chow Chow.  The Spitz breed of dog is noted for its prick ears, pointed nose, and a curled tail.  The body is slightly longer than the dog is tall at the withers.
    Another name for the Spitz family of dogs is "Nordic".  To refer to a dog as a "Nordic" breed was a way to avoid the Germanic implication of the name Spitz.  This was especially true when anti German sentiment was high during W.W.I and W.W.II.  Today's usage is interchangeable.
     During the 19th century in the U.S., a small, white, spitz type dog was commonly seen in the communities of German immigrants.  These dogs came to be known as the American Spitz.  This breed of dog was developed as a "type breed".   A "type breed" is, if a dog fits the type description (in this case, a small, white, Nordic dog), than that is what it is - an American Spitz. The U.K.C. (United Kennel Club) started to register this breed in 1913 as an Eskimo, and in 1917 gave it the new name of American Eskimo. This name gave rise to the mistaken belief that this breed was somehow related to the native North American breeds.  The American Eskimo Dog  is not related to the Canadian Eskimo Dog nor the North Greenland Eskimo Dog.  It is definitely not a down sized Samoyed. It is, however, descended from the white German Spitz.  The F.C.I. (Federation Canine International) lists the American Eskimo Dog as a German Spitz.  Other close relatives include the white Keeshond, the white Pomeranian, and the white Volpino Italiano (Italian Spitz).
     The Eskie, or A.E.D., gained popularity as the dog seen in many circus acts.  Even today's Eskies can find former circus dogs in their pedigrees.  The circus dogs were known for their striking beauty and they were naturals when it came to performing.
     The American Eskimo Dog is very versatile in its working abilities, and these abilities vary from dog to dog.  Some have been used as herding dogs, others as small game hunters, others as companions.  They excel at obedience trials and agility.  They have great intelligence, they are free thinkers they do not just wait for a command.  They are also easily trained with positive reinforcement.
     The National American Eskimo Dog Association was founded in 1969 and is the U.K.C.'s parent club for the breed. With the formation of this dog club, breeders went from breeding specifically for one size dog to the dividing of this breed into a standard size and a miniature size by weight.  In the 1980's, the weight standard was eliminated and a height standard was added, it  included a toy size, but was changed for a third time to delete the toy size due to lack of entries in shows.
     In 1984 the American Eskimo Dog Club of America was formed and is considered to be the breed's parent club by the A.K.C. In 1985, the A.E.D.C.A. included the toy size in its first written standard, and has not changed since.
                                   The Toy is over 9 inches and up to, and including, 12 inches to the withers.
                                   The Miniature is over 12 inches and up to, and including, 15 inches to the withers.
                                   The Standard is over 12 inches and up to, and including 19 inches to the withers.
     A rule of thumb that is used to judge how large an Eskie puppy is going to grow to be is to weigh the puppy at eight weeks of age.  If the puppy weighs 6 - 8 pounds, it will probably grow up to standard size.  If the pup weighs 3 -4 pounds, it will likely be a miniature.  Lastly, if the puppy is less than 3 pounds at 8 weeks of age, it will probably only grow to toy size.  There are exceptions to every rule, but this works better than a crystal ball.
     The American Kennel Club recognized the American Eskimo Dog breed in 1994, and this breed competes in the Non Sporting Group of this organization.

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