Boskimo
Hybrid Breed Description
The Boskimo is a cross between the American Eskimo Dog and the Boston Terrier. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Boskimo. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog presents as a stunning small to medium-sized Nordic breed available in three distinct size varieties. Toy Eskies stand nine to twelve inches tall and weigh six to ten pounds, while Miniature varieties measure twelve to fifteen inches and weigh ten to twenty pounds. Standard American Eskimos are the largest, standing fifteen to nineteen inches tall and weighing eighteen to thirty-five pounds. All size varieties share the same elegant proportions, with bodies that are slightly longer than tall, creating a balanced and athletic silhouette. These dogs possess compact, well-proportioned builds with smooth, energetic gaits that showcase their agility and grace. The breed's most striking feature is its brilliant double coat consisting of a dense, plush undercoat covered by a longer, harsher outer coat that stands off from the body. The coat color is predominantly pure white, though white with biscuit cream markings is also acceptable. A pronounced lion-like ruff circles the neck and chest area, particularly impressive in male dogs, while the legs display beautiful feathering. The back legs feature characteristic fluffy trousers extending down to the hocks. Their wedge-shaped heads are topped with small, erect triangular ears that stand alert, and their faces are distinguished by black points on the nose, lips, and eye rims. American Eskimos possess expressive, slightly oval dark eyes that convey keen intelligence and a friendly demeanor. Their tails are heavily plumed and carried in an elegant curve over the back. The overall impression is one of beauty, alertness, and balanced athleticism, with every feature contributing to their nickname as "the beautiful dog." Their pristine appearance, combined with naturally occurring oils in the coat that repel dirt, makes them relatively easy to maintain despite their show-stopping white appearance.
Key Characteristics
American Eskimo Dogs are renowned for their bright, lively personalities and exceptional intelligence. These dogs form intensely strong bonds with their families and thrive on human companionship, often following their owners from room to room like devoted shadows. They possess a naturally cheerful disposition combined with an eager-to-please attitude that makes them highly trainable and responsive to positive reinforcement methods. Eskies are inherently social creatures who genuinely enjoy being the center of family activities, though they can be initially reserved when meeting strangers. Once properly introduced, they typically warm up quickly and become friendly companions. Their sensitive nature means they respond poorly to harsh corrections, requiring patient, gentle training approaches with consistent boundaries. The breed displays remarkable energy levels and requires substantial mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom-related behaviors. American Eskimos excel at learning tricks and commands, often mastering complex behaviors that once made them stars of circus performances. Their intelligence can manifest as stubbornness if they sense inconsistency in training, and they're clever enough to learn behaviors simply by observing other dogs. These dogs possess a strong watchdog instinct and will alert their families to unusual sounds or approaching strangers with their vocal announcements, though they are never aggressive. Without adequate exercise and mental challenges, Eskies may develop excessive barking, destructive chewing, or hyperactive behaviors. Separation anxiety is a genuine concern for this breed, as they genuinely dislike being left alone for extended periods. They thrive in households where family members are frequently present and can include them in daily activities. Well-socialized American Eskimos generally coexist peacefully with other pets and are typically wonderful with children, making them excellent family companions. Their playful, comedic nature keeps families entertained, though their high energy and need for engagement means they're best suited to active households that can commit to their exercise and companionship requirements.
American Eskimo Dogs are generally healthy with an average lifespan of thirteen to fifteen years, though they are predisposed to several breed-specific health concerns that prospective owners should understand. Progressive Retinal Atrophy stands as one of the most significant genetic conditions affecting this breed, causing gradual degeneration of the retina that begins with night blindness and can progress to complete vision loss. This inherited disease typically manifests between three and five years of age, and while not painful, it is incurable. Responsible breeders conduct DNA testing to screen for this condition. Hip dysplasia, though more common in larger breeds, does occur in American Eskimos and involves abnormal development of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis, pain, and mobility issues as the dog ages. Patellar luxation represents another orthopedic concern, where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, causing intermittent lameness and an abnormal gait. Affected dogs may exhibit a characteristic hopping motion as they attempt to realign the kneecap naturally. Dental disease poses a significant risk, as with many small breeds, making regular tooth brushing and professional cleanings essential for long-term health. Some American Eskimos may develop epilepsy, a neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures that typically begin between six months and three years of age. While medication can help manage this condition, it requires lifelong treatment and monitoring. Obesity can become problematic if these energetic dogs don't receive adequate exercise or are overfed, leading to secondary health issues affecting joints, metabolism, and overall well-being. Some individuals may experience skin allergies or sensitivities requiring dietary management or medication. Eye conditions beyond PRA, including cataracts, can affect older Eskies. Regular veterinary examinations, including eye evaluations, hip assessments, and maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise, are crucial for maximizing the breed's health and longevity. Selecting puppies from reputable breeders who conduct appropriate health screenings significantly reduces the risk of inherited conditions.
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a compact, well-balanced small dog presenting a distinctive tuxedo-like appearance that has earned them the nickname "American Gentleman." These dogs are classified into three weight categories: under fifteen pounds, fifteen to nineteen pounds, and twenty to twenty-five pounds, with males typically standing around seventeen inches tall and females approximately sixteen inches at the shoulder. Despite their small stature, Boston Terriers possess a sturdy, muscular build with a broad chest and strong, straight legs that give them surprising substance and athletic capability. Their square-proportioned bodies convey an impression of determination and strength balanced with refined elegance. The breed's most recognizable feature is their distinctive head structure, characterized by a flat-topped, square skull and a short, square, broad muzzle. As a brachycephalic breed, Boston Terriers have a shortened upper jaw creating their signature pushed-in facial appearance. Their large, round, dark eyes are set widely apart and positioned squarely in the skull, creating an alert, intelligent, and kind expression that captivates observers. The eyes are particularly prominent and expressive, contributing significantly to the breed's appeal. Small, erect ears stand naturally on the head like bat ears, though some puppies are born with ears that fold at the tips. Boston Terriers sport smooth, short coats requiring minimal grooming, typically appearing in three color combinations: black with white markings, brindle with white, or seal with white. The seal coloring appears black but shows a distinctive red cast when viewed in bright lighting. The breed standard requires specific white markings including a white muzzle band, white chest, and white blaze between the eyes, with additional desirable markings including a white collar and white on the forelegs and hind legs up to the hocks. Their naturally short tails can be straight, curved, or corkscrew-shaped but never exceed two inches in length. The overall impression is one of a handsome, well-dressed companion with alert carriage and a slightly arched, proud neckline.
Key Characteristics
Boston Terriers are celebrated for their gentle, friendly, and affectionate personalities, making them outstanding family companions. These dogs possess a happy-go-lucky attitude combined with a lively, playful nature and a delightful sense of humor that keeps their families entertained with comical antics. Despite their terrier heritage and historical pit-fighting origins, modern Boston Terriers display remarkably even-tempered, non-aggressive dispositions. They form deep attachments to their families and thrive on close human companionship, often seeking physical contact and following their favorite people throughout the home. Their moderate energy levels make them adaptable to various living situations, though they certainly enjoy interactive play sessions and daily walks. The breed demonstrates high intelligence and eagerness to please, characteristics that make Boston Terriers highly trainable when positive reinforcement methods are employed. However, they can exhibit an independent, stubborn streak, occasionally choosing not to obey commands they understand perfectly well. This selective listening requires patient, consistent training approaches. Boston Terriers are naturally sensitive dogs that respond poorly to harsh corrections or raised voices, instead flourishing with gentle, motivational training techniques. They generally bark only when necessary, making them excellent apartment dogs who announce visitors without becoming nuisance barkers. Most Bostons are naturally sociable with strangers after brief introductions, though proper socialization remains important for developing well-rounded adults. These dogs typically coexist peacefully with other household pets, including cats, especially when raised together. Their sturdy build makes them more tolerant playmates for children compared to many small breeds, though supervision ensures safe interactions. Boston Terriers can be quite playful and energetic, enjoying games of fetch and other interactive activities with their families. Some individuals may display territorial or protective behaviors toward their owners, potentially becoming assertive with unfamiliar dogs or strangers. They may experience separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods, as they genuinely prefer constant companionship. Overall, Boston Terriers make devoted, entertaining companions ideally suited for families, singles, and seniors who can provide the attention and interaction these social butterflies crave.
Boston Terriers, with an average lifespan of eleven to fifteen years, face several breed-specific health challenges primarily related to their brachycephalic facial structure. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome represents the most significant concern, encompassing anatomical abnormalities including stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules that collectively restrict airflow to the lungs. This syndrome causes difficulty breathing during exercise or rest, along with snoring, snorting, and increased susceptibility to heat stress and respiratory distress. Dogs with severe symptoms may require surgical intervention to improve breathing capacity. The breed's shortened muzzle also complicates anesthesia administration and limits their ability to cool themselves through panting, making them vulnerable to overheating. Eye problems occur frequently due to the breed's prominent, large eyes. Cataracts can develop in older Boston Terriers, and juvenile cataracts may appear as early as eight to twelve weeks of age, potentially causing blindness. Corneal ulcers are common because the protruding eyes are easily injured by environmental particles or trauma. Cherry eye, glaucoma, and other ocular conditions require vigilant monitoring and veterinary care. Patellar luxation affects many Boston Terriers, causing the kneecap to slip out of position, resulting in intermittent lameness, pain, and potentially requiring surgical correction in severe cases. This genetic condition can lead to arthritis and joint damage over time. Deafness in one or both ears can occur as an inherited trait, typically detected in puppies and requiring special training accommodations. Some Boston Terriers develop epilepsy, experiencing seizures that usually begin between six months and three years of age and require lifelong medication management. Skin allergies and dermatitis can affect the breed, causing itching, redness, and discomfort that may necessitate dietary changes or medical treatment. The breed's facial structure creates skin folds around the face and tail base that must be kept clean and dry to prevent infections. Dental disease is common, requiring regular tooth brushing and professional cleanings. Cesarean sections are frequently necessary during whelping due to the breed's large head size relative to the female's pelvis. Selecting puppies from health-tested parents and maintaining appropriate weight through proper diet and exercise helps minimize health risks.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Boskimo may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the American Eskimo Dog and Boston Terrier to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.