Wheaten Eskimo

The American Eskimo is a beautiful Nordic-type dog that closely resembles a miniature Samoyed in appearance, presenting an elegant and balanced silhouette. This breed comes in three distinct size varieties to accommodate different living situations and preferences. The Toy variety stands between nine and twelve inches at the shoulder and weighs six to ten pounds, the Miniature measures twelve to fifteen inches and weighs ten to twenty pounds, while the Standard variety reaches fifteen to nineteen inches and weighs eighteen to thirty-five pounds. Regardless of size, all American Eskimos share the same proportional, slightly longer than tall body structure with a well-balanced, compact build that suggests both agility and strength. The breed's most striking feature is its profuse double coat, which consists of a dense, plush undercoat topped by longer guard hairs that stand off from the body. The coat is always white or white with biscuit or cream markings, creating the breed's characteristic fluffy, snow-white appearance that has captivated dog enthusiasts for generations. A distinctive lion-like ruff or mane encircles the neck and chest, which is more pronounced in males and adds to their majestic appearance. The coat should never curl or wave, maintaining a straight, standoff quality that contributes to the breed's elegant silhouette. The natural oils in the coat help repel dirt, making the breed surprisingly easy to keep clean despite the white coloring. The American Eskimo possesses a distinctive wedge-shaped head with a muzzle and skull of approximately equal length, creating a refined and intelligent appearance. Triangular ears stand erect and are set high on the head, contributing to the breed's alert, attentive expression. The eyes are slightly oval-shaped, dark in color, and convey a keen, bright, and inquisitive demeanor that reflects the breed's intelligence. Black is the preferred color for the nose, lips, eye rims, and pads, creating a striking contrast against the white coat that accentuates the facial features. The breed features a heavily plumed tail that curls gracefully over the back, and pink or gray skin underlies the lustrous white coat.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog that presents a square, compact silhouette when viewed from the side, embodying both strength and elegance. Males typically stand eighteen to nineteen inches at the shoulder and weigh thirty-five to forty pounds, while females are slightly smaller at seventeen to eighteen inches and thirty to thirty-five pounds. The breed possesses a sturdy, athletic build that reflects its working heritage as an Irish farm dog, with sufficient bone and muscle to perform demanding tasks while maintaining a graceful appearance that belies its hardworking origins. The breed's namesake coat is its most distinctive characteristic, setting it apart from all other terrier breeds and making it instantly recognizable. The single-layered coat is remarkably soft and silky with a gentle wave, falling in loose curls that cover the entire body including the face and legs. Unlike most terriers with harsh, wiry coats designed to repel water and debris, the Wheaten's coat has the luxurious texture of silk and requires daily grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Two coat types exist within the breed: the Irish coat, which is silkier and wavier with a flowing quality, and the American coat, which is thicker and more abundant with fuller coverage. The coat color ranges from pale beige to shimmering reddish gold, with any shade of wheaten acceptable in the show ring. Puppies are born with dark coloring, often appearing brown or reddish, that gradually lightens as they mature, typically reaching their full wheaten color by two to three years of age. The head is moderately long with a flat skull and a well-defined stop that gives the face character. The muzzle is strong and should be no longer than the skull, with a large black nose and dark reddish-brown or brown eyes that convey warmth and intelligence. V-shaped ears fold forward at skull level, framing the face attractively, and a distinctive beard adorns the muzzle. The tail is docked in countries where permitted and is carried upright with confidence. The overall expression should be alert and happy, reflecting the breed's characteristically cheerful temperament.