Are you looking for a designer dog to bring home? Eskipoos are some of the most adorable designer dogs, ideal for families with kids and other pets. But, You need to equip yourself with knowledge on how to take care of one and meet their needs.
Eskipoos are friendly, and their gentle demeanor makes them ideal for families with kids. They are fantastic companion dogs, therefore suitable for seniors and kids in equal measure.
Below you will learn all about Eskipoos, including their characteristics, essential needs, maintenance, health issues, etc. This information will help you evaluate whether Eskipoos is ideal for your family setup.
What is an Eskipoo?
An Eskipoo is a result of breeding the American Eskimo and the Poodle. They are also referred to as Pookimos or Eskapoos, names derived from the parents, the Eskimo, and the Poodle.
Eskipoos are high-energy, social, and playful dogs that blend in well with families. They enjoy human interaction making them the perfect breed to interact with kids of all ages. These small dogs are easy to care for and generally suitable for any family setting or space.
The History of Eskipoos
As mentioned, Eskipoos are a crossbreed of the American Eskimo and the Poodle. There is no conclusive information on when Eskipoos came to be, but the origin of each of these breeds is well known.
The Poodle
Initially, Poodles were trained as human masters on hunting trips and worked as water dogs. The name was derived from the German term, ‘pudel,’ which meant splashing water when retrieving waterfowl during hunting. Poodle came to be as the English equivalent.
The American Eskimo
The American Eskimo came to be in 1917 after a long period of them being referred to as the American Spritz. Earlier on, these dogs came with German immigrants and were descendants of the German Spritz.
Their popularity in American grew, obtaining the American Spritz name around that time. They were bred to be multi-purpose dogs and worked on farms. The name, however, never had any relation to the Eskimo culture.
The Eskipoo, therefore, carries traits from both parents. Like other mix-breeds, each Eskipoo portrays unique characteristics depending on what it takes from its parents, the American Eskimo and the Poodle.
Eskipoos Characteristics
Size and Weight
Eskipoos are relatively small dogs and can measure between 9 inches to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. There is a slight difference between the size of females and males, and it may vary within one gender too.
Eskipoos weigh between 10 to 20 pounds, but this number varies depending on age and gender. They can be heavier or lighter depending on the food they eat, the frequency, activity levels, etc.
Appearance
Eskipoos take different physical characteristics from each of their parents. That said, you Eskipoo may come with a curly coat of the Poodle or the long, thick coat of the American Eskimo or a combination of both.
The color of the coat varies, but the most common colors are cream and white. Other colors include blue, black, grey, silver, brown, and apricot. The ears can be dropped like those of the Poodle or upright like those of the American Eskimo.
Eskipoos are small and have a relatively round head. The nose is usually black and blunt. The eyes are dark, often blueish, but bright and sensitive.
Temperament
The Eskipoo is known as a companion dog, thanks to its high energy, social nature. They stick by your side and enjoy human interaction and attention. They come across cheerful and friendly making them suitable dogs for children of any age.
As playful as they come, they are loving and gentle, blending in well with young children. They will nap around your children and will cuddle and sit on your lap for a dose of attention.
They do well with unfamiliar situations; however, they tend to bark in the event of high-pitch strange sounds. They may bark at a stranger at first sight but warm up pretty quickly. That said, they require training to help manage unfamiliar people and situations.
As companion dogs, they do not do well when left alone for a long time. They may develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for a long time. Although they do not need much attention, they crave constant love and attention to keep the energy up.
Essential Needs for Eskipoos
Like other dogs, your Eskipoo will come with needs that you have to meet to help it thrive and give back to your family. Generally, they do not need any special treatment, but regular feeding, exercise, and grooming are necessary.
Diet
Since Eskipoos are high-energy dogs, they need high-quality food packed with essential nutrients to grow and meet their high energy requirements. However, adult eskipoos are prone to obesity as their energy levels drop; therefore, you want to keep feeding down to twice a day.
Eskipoos do well with dry and wet food, but it is advisable to feed them dry food as they are prone to developing dental issues. In the event yours cannot chew properly, wet food can come in handy.
If you have an Eskipoo puppy, combine wet and dry food for the first year, then stick to dry food after that. Ensure the food has adequate calcium levels to prevent your furry friend from developing bone and joint issues as they grow.
Exercise
Your Eskipoo will need to expend all the energy that builds up. More to this, they are naturally high-energy dogs that need regular exercise. That said, they need at least an hour every day to exercise. This could be a walk around the neighborhood or a run around the backyard.
Remember, adult Eskipoos are prone to obesity; therefore, the need to check their food intake and exercise levels. Try incorporating your dog’s exercise time in your routine, including indoor playtime, to keep their weight in check.
Training
Like other companion dogs, Eskipoos are people pleasers, making them pretty easy to train. They pick up on words easily as long as you use an even yet firm tone. As puppies, they are easy to crate train, potty train, and learn tricks.
Since they enjoy the attention, rewarding them for good behavior adds up to the success of your training. Both parents are intelligent dogs and generally well-behaved, so training your Eskipoo should be a breeze.
Grooming
The coat of Eskipoos varies from one to another depending on the parent’s coat it takes after. The coat can either be curly and short or long and thick. Whichever your Eskipoo has, it needs regular brushing to prevent tangles and knots.
Owing to the high chances of developing dental issues, Eskipoos require regular brushing of their teeth. You can do this a few times a week depending on the type of food your Eskipoo eats, as well as how often yours plays with chew toys.
Every once in a while, Eskipoos need their nails clipped by a professional. The lower part of the nails has live blood vessels and nerves; therefore, doing it at home may not be safe for your Eskipoo.
Your playful Eskipoo may require regular baths, depending on how often they play outside. The thick curly coat is prone to trapping dirt; therefore, a bath a few times a month comes in handy. Make sure you use a gentle dog shampoo to prevent drying out the skin and the coat.
Also, wipe the dog’s ears weekly to prevent infections associated with excess buildup in the ears. Be careful while doing this to avoid pushing the wax deeper into the ears.
Health Issues
Like other designer dogs, the Eskipoo can inherit health issues from the parents. Poodles’ common problems include eye infections such as retinal dysplasia, glaucoma, conceal ulcers, and eyelash abnormalities.
American Eskimos are generally healthy; however, they are prone to hip dysplasia, diabetes, juvenile cataracts, luxating patellas, and allergies.
While most Eskipoos do not develop these issues, it is essential to know about them and detect them early for quick intervention. Also, regular checks by veterinarians will help monitor any changes in behavior, physical characteristics, digestion, etc.
With regular checkups, proper feeding, and exercise, Eskipoos can live up to 12 years of age. Some can live longer than this, of course, depending on the quality of life they get, overall health, and general maintenance.
Who Are Eskipoos Good For?
Eskipoos are excellent family dogs, thanks to their friendly, playful nature. They are sweet and gentle, making them ideal for families with young kids. And their constant demand for attention makes them suitable for large families with kids and other pets.
The gentle demeanor of Eskipoos works well with seniors. As much as they need plenty of playtime, they love to nest on laps and cuddle with humans and other pets. With proper training, they can interact easily with different people, including strangers.
How Do Eskipoos Relate With Other Pets?
Eskipoos relate well with other pets. They are friendly and will squeeze in to play with the other pets at home. As social dogs, they may push too hard seeking attention, but as long as they get it, they will not have problems with other pets.
Remember, Eskipoos love human attention so much, so there might be a scrambling of attention among the pets you have. But as long as you get quality time to play with your Eskipoo, you will not have to deal with the rage from all your pets fighting.
As usual, it is advisable to introduce your Eskipoo to the other pets gradually. Eskipoos tend to bark at unfamiliar sounds; therefore, they may react to the sounds of the other pets you have.
During the first days, ensure your Eskipoo is comfortable and slowly include the other pets during its playtime. It will warm up to the others and relate well with them all through in a short while.
If all the other pets you have are trained, engage them to accommodate your new Eskipoo. The good thing is that Eskipoos are easy to train and pick up commands pretty quickly. Your Eskipoo should be comfortable around them, play with them, and accommodate them in a few days.
Can You Keep An Eskipoo In An Apartment?
You can get an Eskipoo if you live in an apartment. Eskipoos are relatively smaller dogs that do not need much space indoors. However, they need regular exercise daily, and time outside will do them good.
You can set time aside to take them out for a walk or playing with them at the park to help them use up their built-up energy. You can also engage your Eskipoo in indoor games using interactive toys and puzzle toys.
The idea is to provide a comfortable space for your Eskipoo regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a big house. Provide your dog with a relaxing day bed, a crate, a few toys, and ensure it has a clean supply of water and food.
Are Eskipoos Registered?
Eskipoos are not recognized by any famous kennel club. However, the parents, the Poodle and the American Eskimo have been registered by the American Kennel Club.
How Much Do Eskipoos Cost?
Like most designer dogs, Eskipoos can be quite an investment. They can cost anywhere between $500 to $1000, depending on where you get one from. This is the price range for a fully grown Eskipoo.
Therefore, puppies may cost much less than this again, depending on availability in your area. On top of the initial cost, you can expect to part with $50 to $100 every few months for grooming. Other costs include dog food, vaccinations, and other essentials such as toys, beds, etc.
The Bottom Line
Eskipoos are fun to be around and make fantastic pets for families with children. Although they are attention seekers, their friendly and bubbly nature will have you enjoying every moment around them.
As long as you provide them ample playtime, feed them appropriately, and groom them regularly, they will reciprocate with hugs and their smiling faces. Your kids and pets will enjoy their company and playfulness.
