The American Eskimo Dog, an affectionate companion dog, presents a depiction of power and alertness, watchfulness and prettiness. It is a small to medium-size Nordic type dog, forever white, or white with biscuit cream. The American Eskimo Dog is efficiently created and well balanced, with good essence, and an alert, smooth gait. The face of the Eskimo dog is Nordic type with erect triangular shaped ears, and characteristic black points (lips, nose, and eye rims). The white double coat consists of a short, thick basecoat, with a longer guard hair growing all the way through it forming the outer coat, which is straight with no curl or wave. The coat is thicker and longer around the neck and chest forming a lion-like ruff, which is more obvious on dogs than on bitches. The rump and hind legs down to the hocks are also covered with thicker, longer hair forming the characteristic breeches. The American Eskimo Dogs tail is richly plumed carried loosely on the back.

There American Eskimo Dogs are of three different sizes: Toy, 9 inches to and including 12 inches; Miniature, over 12 inches to and including 15 inches; and Standard, over 15 inches to and including 19 inches. There is no preference for size within each division.

Demerits: Under 9 inches or over 19 inches. Proportion: Length of back from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly greater than height at withers, an approximate 1.1 to 1 ratio. Substance: The American Eskimo Dog is strong and compactly built with adequate bone.

The American Eskimo Dogs expression is enthusiastic, intelligent, and alert. The dog’s eyes are not fully round, but somewhat oval. They should be set well apart, and not slanted, prominent or bulging. Tear stain, unless severe, is not to be faulted in the breed. Presence of tear stain should not be more important than consideration of type, structure, or temperament. The American Eskimo Dog eye colors preferred are Dark to medium brown. Eye rims are black to dark brown. Eyelashes are white.

Demerits: The Eskimo dogs yellowish-brown eye color or pink eye rims. The American Eskimo Dogs major disqualification is blue eyes. Ears should conform to head size and be triangular, slightly blunt-tipped, held erect, set on high yet well apart, and blend softly with the head. Skull is slightly crowned and softly wedge-shaped, with widest breadth between the ears. The stop is well defined, although not abrupt. The American Dogs muzzle is broad, with length not more than the length of the skull, although it may be slightly shorter. The dog’s nose pigment is black to dark brown. American Eskimo Dogs lips are thin and tight, black to dark brown in color. The demerit is pink nose pigment or pink lip pigment. The breeds jaw should be strong with a full complement of close fitting teeth. The American Eskimo Dogs bite is scissors, or pincer.