Is a male or female dog easier to handle?

An assumption one way or the other is not necessarily correct. The dog's temperament depends many factors. Certainly breeding plays a role in determining the dog's temperament, but many rescues come to us from shelters where history of their lineage is unavailable. Some of the factors considered in determining a dog's temperament are alpha/submissive tendencies, degree of socialization attained, behavior issues or fear triggers. It is best to choose a dog based on temperament, personality and appropriateness for your family situation, rather than be overly concerned with the sex or age of the dog.

Should I adopt a puppy or and older dog?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both choices. Raising a puppy is an enormous commitment and requires alot of patience, and time, to train and socialize the puppy. Some considerations are housebreaking and the usual chewing/destruction stage.The advantage of puppydom is that you can allow the dog to grow with your family, provided you are prepared for the work involved. And, of course, Eskie puppies are unbelievably cute--even when peeing on your shoe. You can adopt a dog up to three years old and still experience the energy and playfulness that people associate with a baby puppy--and yet avoid some of the puppy issues, particularly housebreaking. An older dog is a wonderful choice for busy homes where the family prefers to integrate the dog into their lifestyle as quickly as possible. The advantage of an older dog is that the temperment and personality has fully formed and you can select a dog by temperment that will do well in your paticular home. Dogs in the adult age range--3 and up are excellent choices for family companions, or for those owners with interest in obedience, agility or therapy dog training. Mature dogs, ages 8 and over, make wonderful, loving indoor companions for a relaxed, slow paced environment. These dogs are often overlooked because of their ages, and they really make wonderful, loyal pets.

Aren't older dogs at risk for expensive health problems?

Unfortunately, a young age does not guarantee problem free health. However, nutritionally sound diet and exercise will greatly reduce your Eskie's risk of age-related health problems. Eskies tend to live between 14-18 years, if cared for properly. If you adopt an adult or senior dog, you still have lots of time to enjoy your dog's active years. Also, many vets can recommend veterinary insurance plans which are low cost, and will help offset the cost of any major health issues.

If I am adopting a second dog, should I go for an opposite or same sex match?

Again, temperament and personality are the keys, as is the chemistry between the two dogs. The best test is to take your dog to meet the new dog before you adopt, and let them spend some time together. There is usually an adjustment period when two dogs find themselves sharing the same home, especially for a previously "only" dog, but an initial meeting on neutral territory that goes well does bode well for future adjustment.

What is the size difference between a standard and a minature eskie?

Eskies overall are not considered large dogs. The absolute factor in Eskie size is height, toe to shoulders, rather than weight. Generally, standard Eskies measure 15-19 inches, whereas miniatures measure 12-15 inches. The AKC and UKC have slightly different breed standards.Weight can fluctuate based on the dog's bone structure and diet history. Some rescue Eskies have come from neglectful environments and can be underweight or overweight. This cosmetic problem, in most cases, and can be easily corrected with nutritionally sound diet and exercise.