Sparkles

This month's Dog Spotlight features SPARKLES a miniature American Eskimo dog. In this picture Sparkles is about 6 weeks old. He lives in California with friends Diego and Lexie.

American Eskimo dogs, a relative of the Spitz breed, were brought here from Germany to be circus performers. They are intelligent, fun loving and very friendly. They are good guard dogs for their family.

Eskimos are always white or cream color. They have "double coats". Near their body the hair is short and thick to keep them warm. The outer layer is coarser and longer to protect them from wind, rain and snow. They have to be brushed often to prevent tangles (mats) but don't need a bath often because they lick themselves clean.

You'd think from his looks and his name that an American Eskimo dog would make a great sled dog - and would be one of the dogs in the famous Alaskan Sled Dog race, the Idiarod. (Which starts March 1st)

They are not even distant relatives of the American Malamutes, Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Eskimos that are sled dogs. Learn more at www.dogbreedinfo.com/americaneskimo.html