The American Eskimo Dog is a member of the Spitz family, and many dog enthusiasts prefer to classify it as a Nordic breed. The American Eskimo Dog primarily originates from the European Spitz breeds, including the white German Spitz, white Dutch Pomerania, white Pomeranian, and white Italian Spitz. After World War II, breeders on the West Coast even incorporated Japanese Pomeranian bloodlines into the American Eskimo Dog. In 19th-century America, small white Pomeranian-type dogs could often be seen in German immigrant communities. Along with their owners, they migrated from Europe and upon arrival in the United States, these dogs were no longer recognized in their home country, so they became known as the American Eskimo Dog.
In the early 19th century, the American Eskimo Dog was very popular in circuses touring the United States. They were used for acrobatic shows. These dogs were attractive to the public because of their long, thick, shiny white fur and agile movements. The circus trainers liked them because American Eskimo Dogs are naturally intelligent, gentle, obedient, and incredibly agile. The dogs used in the circus helped develop the number and range of American Eskimo Dogs.
Although the American Eskimo Dog was renamed from the American Pomeranian in 1917, the exact reason for choosing this name is still unclear. One theory is that the name American Eskimo Dog easily associates this breed with different varieties of large Nordic dogs bred by native Americans, and the American Eskimo Dog seems to be a smaller version of the American Eskimo Dog Snow Plow.
In 1985, the American Eskimo Dog Club was founded. It is a national club working for the American Kennel Club (AKC) to specifically identify, protect, and promote the breeding of purebred American Eskimo Dogs. The American Eskimo Dog Club established a pedigree registration work for this breed in 1986, and it was transferred to the American Kennel Club in November 1993. Over 1,750 American Eskimo Dogs were registered in the AKC pedigree as ancestors of this breed. The American Eskimo Dog is a non-sporting breed and finally obtained a systematic judging standard and legal status on June 1, 1995.
1. Heart Disease
Dogs are more likely to develop heart disease due to obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, it may show symptoms such as easily getting tired and experiencing difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect, often being noticed by the owner when the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious Diseases
Distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to contracting these two diseases. Once infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be overlooked. The terrifying aspect of canine kidney disease is that it can progress unnoticed, with over 75% of the dog's renal cells already damaged by the time the owner discovers it. When a dog's kidneys have problems, common symptoms include blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, loose stools, passage of worms in the feces, and pale gums and oral mucosa. Heartworm, on the other hand, is a parasite that resides in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworm may show symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, dyspnea, and ascites.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it often occurs as a complication of other diseases. It commonly happens in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral infections, impaired lung function, and heartworm infestations. Coughing, nasal discharge, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is just born and relies primarily on mother's milk for survival. Their body cannot regulate temperature and they need the mother for warmth. They have no hearing or vision in the first day and rely on weak touch to find the nipples. Their eyes open around day 13 and they develop hearing by day 15. Teething begins around day 20. From day 21-28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough and they need to transition from liquid to semi-solid food. This can easily cause diarrhea and constipation, so lactose enzyme, probiotics, or goat's milk/pet milk should be fed. If the puppy has constipation when consuming milk, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed and massaging the abdomen can help with bowel movements. Deworming begins at 14-28 days of age.
Puppyhood: 1 month - 2 months. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed during this time and requires careful care from the owner. They should be fed at least 3 times a day, with smaller meals based on the puppy's condition. Soak the dry food in warm water or goat's milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, as it can cause poor digestion. Make sure to provide the puppy with drinking water and avoid feeding them cow's milk, which can cause diarrhea. Giving them a small amount of probiotics every day can help regulate their gastrointestinal system. During this time, puppies have a weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken outside or in contact with cold patients to avoid getting sick. Vaccination begins at 6-7 weeks and ends at 3 months. Try to bathe the puppy after vaccination. Dry bath powder can be used in the early stages. Teeth start to grow from 19-28 days of age, and all deciduous teeth are out by 2 months. They have some learning abilities and can start toilet training.
Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months. During this time, puppies can gradually transition from soaked food to dry dog food. The feeding schedule should be adjusted and regularized. They still eat dog food and drink water. However, their bone and muscle growth accelerates at this stage, requiring more protein and calcium. Their coat also starts changing to adult fur, which can be an awkward phase. Puppies begin to develop dominance and try to establish their territory, which may result in increased destructive behavior. This is a period of rapid body growth, so they need regular exercise to maintain their physical development.
Sexual maturity: 8 months - 14 months. This is when the puppy enters sexual maturity and experiences the first estrus cycle. The first cycle can cause hormonal imbalances and disturbances. Prolonged heat, lack of heat, or false pregnancy can occur, resulting in low breeding success rates and high rates of dystocia. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to avoid breeding during the first cycle, maintain hygiene during the heat period to prevent infections, and consider spaying if not intending to breed after the heat period.
Adolescence: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. Now the puppy can fully eat dry dog food and can occasionally be supplemented with meat for a balanced diet, such as cooked beef or chicken. However, avoid giving chicken or duck bones, as it can cause skeletal issues. If necessary (e.g., poor nutrition, weak body, picky eating), appropriate supplements can be given. Based on the puppy's condition, choose supplements like vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair care products. Do not overdo it and do not suddenly provide a large amount of supplements out of concern for the puppy. Slow and consistent adjustment is key. At this stage, their bone and muscle growth accelerates, requiring more protein and calcium. They have strong curiosity and cognitive abilities, as well as profound memory. This is the best period for learning.
Adult: Dogs aged 1-6 years. Dogs are considered adults at 1 year and have reached their full size. There are no specific restrictions in their diet, but it is still important to supplement them with appropriate nutrients, avoid feeding them chicken or duck bones, and prevent them from consuming salty, spicy, or cold food. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to the pet hospital in a timely manner. Self-medication should be avoided unless you are a veterinarian and can take responsibility for your beloved pet.
Senior: 8-18 years. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to over 50 years old in human age and have entered the "senior" stage of their lives. Organ functions decline during this time, leading to various age-related diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, and bone and joint diseases. Pay special attention to supplementing calcium. Choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Letting them soak up the sun and taking them for walks more often, as well as maintaining hygiene, will help extend the time you can spend with your loyal companion.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing dogs, of course, it should not be too frequent. Bathing dogs should depend on the dog's hygiene situation. If the weather is hot in summer, bathe them one or two more times, and reduce one or two times in winter. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage their fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want their hair to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs clean naturally shed hair and avoid tangling. Brush them once in the morning and evening, about five minutes each time.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is good for the growth of the dog's fur. Besides making the fur more shiny, letting dogs sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let dogs exercise a bit, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites can absorb a large amount of nutrients from dogs and snatch away those nutrients, so deworming is essential. When deworming, it is recommended to do both internal and external treatment. Also, deworming medicine can cause great harm to the dog's stomach, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have beautiful fur, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed dogs with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for dogs and provides sufficient nutrition to meet their needs. On the other hand, you can also feed dogs with small amounts of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.
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