American Eskimo Dog

Non-Sporting Group

Height: 15-19 in

Weight: 25-35 lbs

Life Span: 13-15 years

FriendlyAlertReservedIntelligent

Boston Terrier

Non-Sporting Group

Height: 10-12 in

Weight: 12-25 lbs

Life Span: 11-13 years

FriendlyLivelyIntelligent
American Eskimo Dog
Boston Terrier
Best

Physical Traits

60% similar
Breed Group
Non-Sporting
Non-Sporting
Size Category
Medium
Small
Height (in)
15-19
10-12
Weight (lbs)
25-35
12-25
Life Span
13-15
11-13

Personality & Temperament

American Eskimo Dog

FriendlyAlertReservedIntelligentProtective

"The American Eskimo Dog is a highly intelligent, loyal, and versatile breed with a strong bond to its family. Energetic and eager to please, they thrive on companionship and mental challenges, making them playful and affectionate with their owners while also being alert and watchful of their surroundings. Their curiosity and trainability make them quick learners, but they can become destructive if left alone or understimulated."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with constant shedding and the need for frequent grooming, as well as potential separation anxiety or destructive behavior if left alone for long periods.

💡

This breed is best suited for an active, engaged owner or family who can provide plenty of interaction, mental stimulation, and regular exercise, preferably in a home with a securely fenced yard.

Boston Terrier

FriendlyLivelyIntelligent

"The Boston Terrier is a friendly, bright, and amusing breed known for its affectionate and playful nature. They are sociable with both family and strangers, making them excellent companions, though they can be somewhat stubborn during training. Their happy-go-lucky attitude and moderate energy levels make them well-suited for interactive environments where they can engage with their owners."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with moderate training stubbornness and the need for regular mental stimulation to prevent boredom-related behaviors; additionally, their prominent eyes require daily care to avoid irritation or injury.

💡

This breed is ideal for families or individuals who enjoy an active yet adaptable companion, appreciate a dog with a lively personality, and can provide gentle but consistent training.

Purpose & Suitability

Purpose
Versatile farm dog and performing dog (circus, vaudeville, Wild West shows)
Originally bred for pit fighting and ratting contests, later refined as a companion dog
Best Suited For
Active families, experienced dog owners, or individuals who can provide companionship and mental stimulation
Apartment living, active families, and individuals seeking a friendly and adaptable companion
Training Difficulty
Easy
Moderate
Care Difficulty
Moderate
Low

Coat & Appearance

🧵 Coat Type
Double
Smooth
📏 Coat Length
Medium
Short
🎨 Colors
WhiteWhite & Biscuit
Black & WhiteBlack Brindle & WhiteBrindle & WhiteSeal & WhiteSeal Brindle & White
✨ Markings

Care & Health

American Eskimo Dog

Care

Grooming
  • American Eskimo Dog grooming requires minimal effort but demands consistency
  • Brush their fluffy double coat 2-3 times weekly to reduce shedding and prevent mats
  • Bathing should be occasional (every few months) to avoid dry, irritated skin
  • Regular nail trimming is essential, like with all breeds
  • Their natural fur oils repel dirt, so brushing alone often keeps them clean
  • Shedding occurs almost constantly, so consistent grooming is key
Exercise
  • American Eskimo Dog exercise needs: an active, quick, and curious breed requiring plenty of exercise and mental challenges to prevent destructive behavior
  • securely fenced yard and varied toys help provide stimulation but should not replace human interaction
  • must stay indoors as they bond strongly with their owners and thrive on companionship
  • despite their warm coat, they are not suited for outdoor-only confinement
  • energy levels typically decrease after middle age, requiring adjusted activity levels
Training
  • American Eskimo Dog training guidance: early socialization and puppy training classes are essential
  • highly intelligent and eager to please, making them among the most trainable breeds
  • learn new commands quickly, sometimes by observing other dogs
  • thrive on companionship and interaction with owners
  • prone to developing problem behaviors if left alone too often for long periods
  • historically excelled in trained-dog acts like circuses and vaudeville shows
Nutrition
  • American Eskimo Dog nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, as some dogs are prone to gaining weight
  • use treats for training but limit amounts to avoid obesity
  • consult vet for safe human foods and dietary concerns
  • ensure clean, fresh water is always available

Health

Ethical American Eskimo Dog breeders prioritize health testing for common genetic issues like hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Regular ear cleaning is essential to prevent debris buildup and wax accumulation, while consistent teeth brushing helps maintain overall oral health, just as it does for all dog breeds.

Recommended Tests:

Hip EvaluationOphthalmologist EvaluationProgressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test

Boston Terrier

Care

Grooming
  • Boston Terrier grooming requires minimal effort but keeps their coat and health in check
  • Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush, rubber mitt, or hound glove removes loose hair and maintains coat health
  • Bathing should be occasional unless the dog gets messy
  • Regular nail trimming prevents pain and mobility issues
  • Brushing also stimulates new hair growth and distributes skin oils
  • Overly long nails can cause discomfort and affect walking or running.
Exercise
  • Boston Terriers' exercise needs vary by individual but require active engagement
  • Brisk walks once or twice daily may suffice for some, while others need daily running and playtime
  • Simply letting them out in a backyard isn’t enough—they thrive with interactive play like fetch or toy engagement
  • Long periods of inactivity can lead to frustration and unwanted behaviors
  • Canine sports (agility, obedience, flyball, rally) provide fun, structured ways to burn energy
Training
  • Boston Terriers thrive with proper training—focus on these key steps to shape a well-behaved companion: **early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended
  • gently expose the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations
  • use treats as a training incentive
  • avoid harsh corrections, opt for gentle guidance followed by warmth and praise**
Nutrition
  • Boston Terrier nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to life stage (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, as the breed is prone to gaining excess weight
  • use treats sparingly for training to avoid obesity
  • consult vet about safe human foods for dogs and dietary concerns
  • ensure clean, fresh water is always available

Health

Boston Terriers require careful eye care due to their prominent, sensitive eyes, which are prone to irritation, redness, or debris buildup. Owners often use saline drops to cleanse the eyes daily. Reputable breeders prioritize genetic screening for common health issues, including cataracts, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, deafness, and patellar luxation—a knee condition akin to a human ‘trick knee.’ As a brachycephalic breed, Bostons are also susceptible to breathing difficulties in extreme heat or humidity, necessitating proper environmental precautions.

Recommended Tests:

Patella EvaluationOphthalmologist EvaluationBAER Testing

Trait Comparison

75% similar
💡 Compare their traits above to see differences
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family for American Eskimo Dog: 5 out of 5 (Very Affectionate)
Affectionate With Family for Boston Terrier: 5 out of 5 (Very Affectionate)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Young Children
Good With Young Children for American Eskimo Dog: 5 out of 5 (Excellent with Kids)
Good With Young Children for Boston Terrier: 5 out of 5 (Excellent with Kids)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Good With Other Dogs for Boston Terrier: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Boston Terrier
Shedding Level
Shedding Level for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Shedding Level for Boston Terrier: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
American Eskimo Dog
Coat Grooming Frequency
Coat Grooming Frequency for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Coat Grooming Frequency for Boston Terrier: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
American Eskimo Dog
Drooling Level
Drooling Level for American Eskimo Dog: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
Drooling Level for Boston Terrier: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
🐾 Balanced
Openness To Strangers
Openness To Strangers for American Eskimo Dog: 5 out of 5 (Very Friendly)
Openness To Strangers for Boston Terrier: 5 out of 5 (Very Friendly)
🐾 Balanced
Playfulness Level
Playfulness Level for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Playfulness Level for Boston Terrier: 5 out of 5 (Extremely Playful)
Boston Terrier
Watchdog/Protective Nature
Watchdog/Protective Nature for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Boston Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Adaptability Level
Adaptability Level for American Eskimo Dog: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Adaptability Level for Boston Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
American Eskimo Dog
Trainability Level
Trainability Level for American Eskimo Dog: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Trainability Level for Boston Terrier: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Energy Level
Energy Level for American Eskimo Dog: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Energy Level for Boston Terrier: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Barking Level
Barking Level for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Barking Level for Boston Terrier: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
American Eskimo Dog
Mental Stimulation Needs
Mental Stimulation Needs for American Eskimo Dog: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Mental Stimulation Needs for Boston Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced

Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.

Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.

Common Questions

Answers to popular questions about American Eskimo Dog and Boston Terrier.

Both American Eskimo Dog and Boston Terrier are excellent choices for families. They are known to be patient and good with children, though supervision is always recommended with any dog.
Both breeds are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train.
No, American Eskimo Dog typically sheds more than Boston Terrier.
Both breeds can be suitable for first-time owners, depending on your lifestyle and dedication to training and care.

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American Eskimo Dog vs Boston Terrier: Size, Temperament & Care Comparison