The German Spitz: unveiling the charm and personality of this adorable breed

The German Spitz is a sturdy dog, recognizable by its abundant coat, and thick tail, with a really nice, elongated, fox-like muzzle. It is believed to be the oldest breed in Europe, and traces of it are recorded as far back as the Stone Age. Let us explore this breed, which groups dogs of different sizes and characters, but with common traits.

Origin of the German Spitz

Some scientists trace the Spitz’s origins to the Arctic wolf, a trailing dog employed in Lapland, while others believe the progenitor is the “Peat dog. Gradually these dogs with thick fur and high hairy tails spread across the European continent, especially as herding dogs.

The consort of George III, King of England, became acquainted with this breed in the region of Pomerania, south of the Baltic, and from there she brought a dog to the United Kingdom, naming it, indeed, Pomerania.

Subsequently, Queen Victoria established the first breeding farm. To the sovereign is also due the birth of the dwarf variant, the result of crossing with the Italian Volpino, a breed of small dogs that she met during a visit to our country.

Initially Pomeranians were recognized as an independent breed among other things, paternity was disputed between the English and Germans. More recently, in 1998, the International Dog Federation included Pomeranians in the breed standard of the German Spitz, but in dwarf size.

The appearance of German Spitz

The appearance is really nice, and the temperament is also pleasant; they are gentle, playful and mischievous dogs, ideal as pet dogs. The appearance is peculiar to all varieties.

• The muse is similar to that of the fox and is surrounded by a thick leonine mane.
• The ears are pointed while the eyes are small, viscous, black and almond-shaped. The fur is thick and supported by abundant undercoat, and the tail is curled and curved on the back.
• The coat can be black, white, orange, brown or gray, or mixed with these shades.
• The size varies greatly depending on the variety, height at withers from 20 to 49 cm, and weight from 2 kg to 20 kg.

Varieties of German Spitz

According to the International classification, they are part of Group 5 “Spitz or primitive type dogs” and share most of the characteristics with other breeds in the group such as the Samoiedo.

As with other dog breeds, there are several variations of the Spitz, mainly due to size:

• Wolfspitz or Wolf Spitz. The largest of the Spitz, with a height of about 49 cm. Only one color is allowed: wolf gray.
• Large Spitz. This variant of the breed standard, can reach 20 kg in weight, with a height at withers of. about 46. In the past especially the white-coated specimens were considered the dogs of nobility. Unfortunately, now, this dog has fewer and fewer specimens, and in 2003 the Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Pet Breeds listed it as an endangered breed. According to the breed standard, these large specimens can only be white-, black- or brown-coated, which is the rarest.
• Medium Spitz. This compact dog can reach a height at withers of 34 cm and a weight of 11 kg. It tends to bark often, but with some training it can lose this habit.
• Small Spitz. It is between 24 and 30 cm tall and weighs 4-5 kg. It has always been a companion dog although it may bark frequently. It learns easily and adapts even to small apartments. It is a perfect specimen for the dog dance or at agility.
• Dwarf Spitz or Pomeranian Fox. This dwarf variety, whose height is not stipulated in the breed standard, ranges from a minimum of 18 cm to a maximum of 24 cm at withers. They are tiny Chihuahuas, with whom they share the classic habit of growling or barking at people or things for no reason. For this reason it is not recommended for families with young children. They do not have aggressive behaviors, only an annoying barking.

There are also several other Spitz breeds recognized, some of which are quite rare:

• Italian Spitz or Volpino
• Finnish Spitz
• Japanese spitz
• Norrbotten Spitz
• Visigothic Spitz

Difference between Pomeranian and German Spitz

The dogs called ‘Pomeranian Foxhound’ or ‘Dwarf Spitz’ are part of the German Spitz breed standard, but they are a macro-category under which various types of dogs fall, differentiated only by size There are thus the large Spitz, the medium Spitz, the small Spitz, and to the rarest and largest Wolfspitz.

Basically, the dwarf version of the German Spitz is also known as the Pomeranian Wolfspitz.

The character of the German Spitz

This sharp-faced breed is an excellent guard dog and shows attention to everything. It is also considered a companion dog with a marked intelligence. Loyal and intelligent, it loves to please its owner, which makes its training easier. He seeks out his presence and family, even with pirouettes or other curious ways to attract attention.

Socialization is essential to prevent him from becoming shy, so he must be accustomed from an early age to people, crowds and other dogs.

His main fault is his tendency to bark, which he uses as a means of alarm, but also simply to communicate. Try to teach him to stop on command.

As for its relationship with other pets, it is very sociable and, above all, it is not afraid of larger dogs.

It is characterized as being a very vocal breed and when there is barking to be done it does not back down, but training can improve this habit.

It needs to be stimulated with games and walks because those who adopt this dog will certainly never be bored. He has no hunting instincts and therefore it is not uncommon for him to walk alongside his owner on walks without a leash.

Who is the ideal owner: why to adopt a Spitz

These are dogs that can handle loneliness, so they are ideal for those who spend a good part of the day away from home. Be sure, however, to leave them with a few toys to prevent them from getting bored.

This is an ideal dog for lonely people, including the elderly, and families is easy to handle and adapts to everything. It is ideal for those who are first-time dog adopters, also because it coexists well with other dogs and dogs that get along well with cats.

The Spitz is perfectly adapted to apartment life. In fact, it prefers enclosed environments to open spaces.

However, the advice for all is related to their inappropriate and repeated barking. It may cause annoyance to neighbors. Because of its thick fur and shedding, which leads to its loss at certain times of the year, it is not a suitable dog for allergy sufferers.

How to care of the German Spitz

The coat, though long, is surprisingly easy to care for; just brush it frequently. It is a dog
very clean and its thick coat is repellent to dirt. Be careful, however, because during shedding periods (in the change of hair from puppy to adult, then after 4 months of age and then, 2 times a year) they can lose
a lot of fur.

It would be best to avoid cutting it too short during grooming because it serves as its thermoregulator and prevents the dog from suffering from excessive heat or bitter cold.

As for all icontro ticks, natural remedies are best.

Since he is not particularly active, make sure he can go for at least 20-30 minutes of walking, 2-3 times a week.

As far as diseases are concerned, he does not present major problems. On the contrary, it is quite long-lived (it can live up to 16 years) and enjoys good health.

Attention should be paid to oral hygiene: tartar problems are, in fact, common. Hairless patches caused by alopecia can be found in some specimens. In the large size there are chances, as in all large dogs, of hip dysplasia.

Feeding: what does a Spritz eat

A dog’s feeding depends on its size, activity level, and age. Smaller and younger ones do not need large amounts. In general, kibble proves perfect for providing the right amount of nutrients.

• 150 g of kibble per day is the ideal daily ration for a medium-sized dog, which can be divided into 2 meals of 75 g.
• When the Spitz is spayed, you need to be more vigilant and reduce the daily ration to 75 gr.

The small Pomeranian Shepherd, on the other hand, will need just 50 gr of kibble per day.
You can tell from the coat if its diet is rich and well balanced with quality protein. Remember to follow good oral hygiene, removing tartar with special chew toys. Given few treats, it tends to be overweight. Better reward it with caresses and kind words.

What is the price of a German Spitz Puppy

As for the price of smaller varieties, such as Pomeranian Foxhounds, Dwarf Spitz and Toy, the price ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 USD, depending on sex and coat.

For a large Spitz puppy, one can go as high as up to 1,800 USD. To avoid encouraging illicit trade in puppies, we always recommend certified breeders.

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