German Spitz

The German Spitz (German: Deutscher Spitz) is a breed of spitz-type dogs from Germany. It is considered a single breed, with five distinct varieties based on size and colour: the Wolfsspitz/Keeshond, the Giant Spitz or Großspitz, the Medium Spitz or Mittelspitz, the Miniature Spitz or Kleinspitz and the Pomeranian or Zwergspitz ("Dwarf Spitz").

German Spitz
A cream-coloured German Standard Spitz (Mittelspitz)
Other names	German: Deutscher Spitz
Origin	Germany
Kennel club standards VDH standard Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

Wolfsspitz
Other names	Keeshond
Traits Height 43–55 cm (17–22 in)[1]: 6  Weight 15–20 kg (33–44 lb)[2]: 118  Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat Colour Grey-shaded
Dog (domestic dog)

German Giant Spitz
Other names	German: Großspitz
Traits Height 40–50 cm (16–20 in)[1]: 13  Weight 17–18 kg (37–40 lb)[2]: 119  Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat Colour White, black and brown, sometimes with white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail
Dog (domestic dog)

German Medium Spitz
Other names	German: Mittelspitz
Traits Height 30–40 cm (12–16 in)[1]: 13  Weight 11–12 kg (24–26 lb)[2]: 119  Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)

German Miniature Spitz
Other names	German: Kleinspitz
Traits Height 24–30 cm (9.4–11.8 in)[1]: 13  Weight 8–10 kg (18–22 lb)[2]: 119  Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)

Pomeranian
Other names	German: Zwergspitz German Toy Spitz
Traits Height 18–24 cm (7.1–9.4 in)[1]: 20  Weight 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb)[2]: 123  Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The earliest mentions of these spitz dogs in German literature date from AD 1450.^[2][3][4][5] In 1750, Count Eberhand zu Sayre Buffon wrote in his National history of quadrupeds that spitz dogs were the ancestor of all German breeds.^[4]

German Spitz dogs were originally kept on farms for a number of roles including herding and guarding. As the centuries progressed some lines were bred to be smaller for other duties and eventually as small companion dogs.^[3][4]

Description

The German Spitz is a long-haired, double-coated breed of spitz-type dog; the five varieties vary significantly in size. The breed standard states all variants have a double coat with a long, straight outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-wool like undercoat.^[2][1]

Wolfsspitz/Keeshond

The Wolfsspitz/Keeshond is the largest variety of Deutscher Spitz, standing some 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in) at the withers according to the breed standard. The coat is silver-grey with black shading.^[1] In some English-speaking countries – including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States – the Keeshond and the German Wolfspitz are classed as two separate breeds; weights may be in the range 27 to 32 kg (60 to 70 lb) for the German Wolfspitz and 25 to 30 kg (55 to 65 lb) for the Keeshond.^[2]: 134

Giant Spitz

The Giant Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 17 to 18 kg (37 to 40 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in); the coat can be white, black or brown. Black and brown animals can have white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail.^[1][3]

Medium Spitz

The Medium Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 10.5 to 11.5 kg (23 to 25 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours - as well as mixes thereof.^[2][1]

Miniature Spitz

The Miniature Spitz is a small dog. It usually weighs 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 24 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.^[2][1]

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian (or Zwergspitz, "Dwarf Spitz") is a small dog. It usually weighs 1.4 to 3 kg (3 to 7 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 18 to 24 cm (7 to 9 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.^[2][1]

References

1. "FCI-Standard No 97: Deutsche Spitze" (PDF). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
2. Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. pp. 124 & 134–135. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
3. Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. pp. 428–439, 521-523 & 525-526. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
4. Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 436–438.
5. Alderton, David (2008). The encyclopedia of dogs. Bath: Parragon Books Ltd. pp. 116, 130 & 345. ISBN 978-1-4454-0853-8.

External links

• German Spitz World in the UK
• German Spitz Breeders & Owners Club in the UK