They Seek Eye Contact Immediately After Birth
American Eskimo puppies try to turn toward faces even before their eyes are fully open. This is a reflection of their genetic instinct to approach humans and does not begin this early in many other breeds.
If They Are Not Pure White, Sound the Alarm
When puppies are born, their fur is so bright that it almost reflects light. If they are born yellowish, grayish, or dull in color, this is often a sign of hereditary health problems and purity of breed may be questioned.
First Barks Are Silent but Expressive
At 4-5 weeks of age, before their vocal cords become active, they respond only with facial expressions. The ears, eyebrows, and nose area show involuntary reactions with tiny muscle movements. This period of “silent communication” is critical in the process of bonding with humans.
Heart Rate Slows When Alone
When a newborn Eskimo puppy is separated from its mother, its heart rate slows down significantly. This condition is defined as a physiological state of panic and is referred to as the “white puppy response” in scientific studies.
Smiling Babies
Due to their facial structure, puppies of this breed appear to be smiling when they are born. This “smiling illusion” is one of the reasons why they are one of the most popular breeds among photographers.
Natural Propensity for Walking in Snow
At just 6 weeks old, their paws grip the ground better than other puppies when they are sliding around. This trait is a genetic trait inherited from their ancestors in Northern Europe.
Their Fur Is Not Water-Repellent, It Traps Air
Unlike many winter dogs, American Eskimo puppies' fur does not repel water. Instead, air is trapped between the hairs, and this insulation keeps them warm even in wet weather. This feature may be surprising, especially for those who live in rainy cities.
They Recognize the Oldest Member of the Family First
Many observations have reported that puppies develop a special closeness to the oldest member of the household. This is likely because older people move more slowly and steadily, making them less threatening.
They Do Not React to Changes in Their Mother's Scent
If perfume is sprayed on the mother during the first two weeks after birth, or if another dog's scent is detected, the puppies may reject their mother. This shows how sensitive puppies are to environmental scents.
They Respond to Their Name Before They Respond to Toys
At 8 weeks old, American Eskimo puppies respond to their names before they respond to toys. Due to their aptitude for vocal communication, they are more motivated by human voices than by toy calls.
Trembling Toes During Sleep
When puppies sleep, their hind toes tremble rhythmically. This is considered part of nerve development and is more pronounced in healthy individuals. New owners are usually the first to notice this and become concerned, but it is actually a good sign.
Character Test Becomes Apparent on the 5th Day
While character development can take months in some breeds, dominant or shy temperament traits can be observed in American Eskimo puppies as early as a few days old. Carefully observing tail position, interaction with other puppies, and vocal responses provides clear signals about how they will behave toward humans in the future.
Only Imitates Its Owner
As puppies, they tend to imitate only their owner, not other dogs. This is demonstrated by copying the way a toy is picked up, how to climb onto a specific chair, or the reactions to a person. This “mirror behavior” is particularly common in intelligent dog breeds.
The First Training Command is Usually “Look”
Experts note that the fastest command learned by puppies of this breed is “look.” Because they have a high ability to make eye contact, trainers first work on focus. This allows other commands to be learned much more quickly.
Potty Training Starts Early, But Nighttime Accidents Are Common
Although training is effective during the day at 6-7 weeks of age, it is very common for them to lose control while sleeping at night. Some owners think this is laziness, but in fact, their bladder muscles are not yet fully developed.
Looks Like a Reverse Sneezing Attack and Can Be Frightening
American Eskimo puppies sometimes make sudden, loud noises when breathing, which often frightens their owners. However, this is a type of “reverse sneezing” caused by the breed's short nose and is mostly harmless from a medical standpoint.
They Jump When They First Encounter Snow
When a puppy American Eskimo encounters snow for the first time, it begins to jump and dig at the snow with its paws. This behavior is almost universal among the breed and has become a viral video sensation on social media due to the joyful reactions of the puppies.
Habit of Following Room Lights
Due to their developing eye muscles, baby Eskimo dogs usually follow moving light beams or lights that turn on and off. This is especially noticeable in dimly lit rooms, and owners often mistake it for “seeing ghosts” at first.
They Attach Themselves to Fabric, Not Soft Toys
American Eskimo puppies tend to bond with fabric such as blankets, sheets, or old T-shirts rather than plush toys. Items that carry the scent of their mother or owner become their favorite comfort objects.
First Shedding Begins at 10 Weeks
The puppy coat begins to shed around the 10th week, and during this process, short but tightly clinging white hairs can be found throughout the house. This first shedding makes way for the adult coat and marks the beginning of the breed's distinctive “puffy white cloud” appearance.
Extremely Sensitive to Whispered Sounds
Puppies of this breed are highly responsive to whispered sounds, especially those that are low and soft. Interestingly, they focus more on whispers than on high-pitched sounds. Therefore, it is more effective to use a low tone when training them rather than shouting.
Restlessness May Develop After the First Bath
After their first bath, puppies often react with excessive shivering, fatigue, or withdrawal. This is interpreted as a reaction to the structural change in their fur and the loss of scent, rather than the temperature of the water.
They Stare at Their Reflection in the Mirror for Long Periods of Time
American Eskimo puppies show an unusual curiosity toward their own reflection in the mirror. While other dog breeds react briefly to reflections, this breed can stand silently in front of a mirror for minutes. Sometimes they do not bark, but simply stare without blinking, which indicates how long their visual attention span is.
First Response to Music Begins with Tilting the Head
When music is played, most baby Eskimos first tilt their heads to the side. This response is usually seen with classical music or songs with soft vocals. While some owners think this response means “liking” the music, experts say it is actually an attempt to analyze the frequencies.
White Coat Provides an Advantage in Dark Environments
When puppies are completely white, their fur makes them easy to spot at night inside the house. This is an advantage in terms of preventing accidents in the home. Many owners say that they find this breed less “invisible” at night compared to other dogs.
Their Noses Turn in the Opposite Direction When Sleeping in Your Lap
A striking detail about American Eskimo puppies' sleeping positions is that they turn their heads in the opposite direction of their bodies. This position is a remnant of an evolutionary reflex that helps them maintain body heat while also better detecting scents in their surroundings.
Their Lips May Be Slightly Purple When Young
Newborns sometimes have lips that are very light purple in color. Although this may appear to be a health problem at first glance, it is actually caused by a difference in skin pigmentation and usually disappears within a month.
Their Favorite Toy Can Be Determined by How Long They Stay with It
The amount of time a puppy spends sniffing a toy determines whether it is their favorite object. American Eskimos tend to bond with objects they sniff for long periods of time and often pull them close to them while sleeping.
Unlike other dogs, their tails are born at the top
When puppies are born, their curled and upward-carried tails are immediately noticeable. Although some owners think this develops over time, this posture is actually innate and is evident even in the first weeks. This also distinguishes them from their peers in appearance.
Does not bite its siblings, rubs its cheek against them
During play, they usually rub their faces against their siblings instead of biting their ears or paws. This shows that they are more affectionate individuals within the pack and have a low threshold for aggression.
They Adapt to Their Owner's Sleep Schedule
Interestingly, puppies of this breed adapt to their owner's nighttime wake-up times faster than other breeds. Within 2-3 weeks, they memorize the time their owner goes to bed and wake up earlier to wait for them.
They Are Calmer When Sleeping on Cold Floors
Puppies that sleep on cool tile floors rather than warm beds are reported to cry less overall. This behavior is thought to be a genetic reflection of their ancestors' habit of “resting on snow.”
One of the Rare Breeds That React to Their Own Shadows
On sunny days, puppies are often observed chasing their own shadows or shyly moving away from them. Due to their early development of visual awareness, they respond to such reflections or moving shapes at an early age.