Eskifon

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Eskifon

15-20 lbs

8-10"

United States

American Eskimo

Brussels Griffon

The Eskifon is a mixture of the American Eskimo Dog and Brussels Griffon. He is likely to be a small dog and may be a variety of colors. He is likely to need a great deal of maintenance, as both his parent breeds require moderate grooming. He will be friendly and affectionate with his family, although he may be leery of strangers for some time. He should live indoors with you, but giving him the opportunity to exercise under supervision outdoors is a great way to help him stay in tip-top shape. Be careful not to allow him to overheat, especially if he inherits the short nose of the Brussels Griffon. He may be a little stubborn or even a little bossy, but he is most definitely loyal to his family.

Purpose
Companion


Date of Origin
Unknown


Ancestry
American Eskimo Dog and Brussels Griffon

Eskifon Health

Average Size

Height: 8-10 inches Weight: 15-20 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Minor Concerns

None

Occasional Diagnoses

None

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
CT Scan
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Eskifon Breed History

There is not a lot of information on the Eskifon breed itself, but we can learn about the parent breeds in order to understand what to expect from the hybrid breed. The American Eskimo was once a featured entertainer with traveling circus shows. His beautiful white coat shined as he performed tricks for the crowd. His time as a circus performer proved to make him a very popular breed throughout the United States. In 1917, the American Spitz was renamed the American Eskimo Dog, although there is no definite explanation for this change. The Brussels Griffon is a dog that hails from Belgium. It was there that small terrier-like dogs were bred to hunt and kill vermin. The Affenpinscher, Pug, and English Toy Spaniel may all have some link to the Brussels Griffon of today. Belgium’s queen Marie Henriette owned a Brussels Griffon, and she began breeding and promoting the breed throughout Europe. In the early 1890s, the Brussels Griffon made its way to England and then the United States. At the end of World War II, the Brussels Griffon was almost extinct because people could not afford the luxury of owning a dog. However, English breeders kept the breed from totally dying out. The Brussels Griffon is still a rare breed today, but in the 1990s the breed became popular again after a Brussels starred in As Good As It Gets alongside Jack Nicholson.

Eskifon Breed Appearance

The Eskifon will be a combination of both parent breeds, the American Eskimo Dog and the Brussels Griffon. While there is not a lot of information about the Eskifon breed itself, we can study the parent breeds in order to determine what the Eskifon will look like. The American Eskimo Dog is white and fluffy. He has a double-coat with a dense undercoat. The outer coat is long, thick, and silky. He has a pronounced ruff around his neck. The legs are feathery and he has profuse fur on his tail. He may be cream colored, but most often, his coat color is white. The Brussels Griffon usually comes in one of four colors: red with some black at the whiskers and chin, beige with a black mask and whiskers, black and tan, and black. Older Brussels Griffons may develop gray around the muzzle. Your Eskifon will most likely be of a tan or white color and have the typical Brussels Griffon beard. His tail will be upright and may curl over the back.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Isabella

White

Red

Black

Gray

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Eskifon Breed Maintenance

The Eskifon should not be an above average shedder, but will need a brushing at least twice a week. The parent breeds will contribute either a short coat that is smooth or a longer coat that may be prone to matting. In heavy times of shed, a deshedding tool should be used but the rest of the year, the pin brush will do just fine. If your Eskifon has the Brussels Griffon beard and eyebrows, trimming with scissors can keep them neat. The Brussels Griffon coat, if your hybrid has one, will need a professional trim a couple of times a year to keep it looking tip top. Check the ears for a buildup of dirt, and clip the nails if they are too long. The teeth should be brushed twice a week at minimum. That's about it to maintain a handsome Eskifon!

Brushes for Eskifon

Pin Brush

Deshedder

Clipper

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Eskifon Temperament

The American Eskimo Dog is spunky, smart, plays hard and enjoys activity of any kind. He is also a great watchdog. It is recommended that he is given regular, ample exercise. If he becomes bored, he may become destructive. He can be rambunctious and stubborn at times. However, consistent and firm training will help mold the American Eskimo into the dog you can enjoy. He may bark a lot and chew if left alone for a long period of time. The Brussels Griffon may be somewhat reserved, only becoming friendly once he gets used to someone new. He may be slightly bossy. He loves being with his family. Sometimes the Brussels Griffon is called a “Velcro dog” because he wants to stick right beside his family members. He may suffer from separation anxiety, and he may resort to mischief in order to get your attention if he feels he is being ignored. Early socialization is recommended for the Brussels Griffon so that he will know what is expected of him. Your Eskifon will be a fun combination of the two parents and will be a dog who loves to be where you are. Train him with a kind but firm hand and give him lots of opportunity to meet and greet in the dog park to ensure that he is comfortable in all situations.

Eskifon Activity Requirements

The Eskifon is a fairly active dog. The Eskifon often requires a great deal of exercise. In fact, if he is not given the ability to exercise as needed, he may become destructive. He loves to take part in an active household. While he may enjoy playing outdoors with you, he needs to be inside at night. He is not happy outside away from his family. He will be happy to live in an apartment or home with a yard as long as he gets to spend ample time with his family. If your Eskifon has a shortened nose like the Brussels Griffon, do not allow him to exercise to the point of overexertion. If you notice him becoming sluggish or panting heavily, be sure to bring him inside immediately. It is imperative that he always have access to fresh water.

Activity Level

Low
Medium
High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Eskifon

Similarly Sized Breeds to Eskifon

Eskifon Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00

Written by Kathleen Egger

Published: 11/10/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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