I purchased my first eskie in the spring of 1976, Laika, out of Jo-Em breeding. My father had an American Eskimo when he was a child in the 1920s and always bragged how smart and beautiful they were. Laika had a short show career, and produced only one litter sired by CH Smith's Artic Snow - my beloved "Woof" who won a standing ovation when he FINALLY completed his U-CDX. I acquired a rescue eskie who became GR CH U-CD Johnny Reb Edelweiss, earning a best male at our first UKC show in 1977, a national specialty with 73 entries - and I was hooked! We plunged into showing in conformation, obedience, costume contests, entertained at nursing homes and played at agility and tracking. My "kennel name" of "Thunderpas" came into being one day as I listened to my group race on pounding paws down the hallway. Thirty-three years and more than nine generations later, I am still hooked. They share our bed, our walks, our kitchen, our tears, our joy. They have continued to win in conformation in AKC, UKC and international competition, although I have less time for obedience and agility and therapy with a farm (with Arabian horses and Piedmontese cows) as well as a family and a very busy law practice. There are some "firsts" I am proud of - Misty was the most titled female at the time of her death, having earned her AKC CDX at the grand age of 12 years. Johnny was the first OFA and CERF American Eskimo. National GR CH U-CDX Thunderpas Mighty Max was the first obedience titled national grand champion. Rosemary Stevens' Gaea was the first female AKC Champion. Meeko and Meggie won 3 BIS and 1 BISS brace wins undefeated. Three of my girls, Misty, Meeko, and Isis, have all qualified for ROM. I have had the pleasure of watching my puppy people outshine me with numerous group wins and placements with puppies I bred - congratulations to them all! Many of my puppies have helped establish others in the breed. Many more have been beloved family members. I look forward to another thirty years of life with my American Eskimos!
We do not breed often, and each litter is carefully planned. My education in genetics is a large factor in selection of the parents-to-be. Thunderpas dogs are screened for the PRA gene and examined by a board certified ophthalmologist for eye defects as well as x-rayed for hip dysplasia. Late onset progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a disease of the eye that leads to blindness which is caused by a single gene defect. Dogs that are carriers of the defective gene do not develop PRA but can produce a dog that is homozygous (has a copy of the defective gene from each parent) if bred to a dog that is also a carrier. Dogs that are homozygous for the defect may develop blindness. This begins at somewhere between the ages of six and twelve years of age, and leads initially to night blindness, then total blindness over a period of a few years. Some dogs never show the disease. We do not breed two carrier dogs so our puppies cannot be homozygous and therefore cannot develop late onset PRA. We offer a health guarantee, and a purchase contract is required. If you would like to see some of our puppies, or are interested in buying a Thunderpas puppy, please see our Puppy Page.
Follow these links to learn more about the American Eskimo:
American Eskimo Dog Rescue
The American Eskimo Dog Home Page
AKC American Eskimo Dog Club of
America National American
Eskimo Dog Association
