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 namesGerman: Deutscher Spitz
OriginGermany
Kennel club standards
VDH standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)
Wolfsspitz
Other namesKeeshond
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 namesGerman: 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 namesGerman: 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 namesGerman: 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 namesGerman: 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 German Spitz breed is believed to be descended from Nordic spitz-type herding dogs that were the common ancestor to other breeds such as the Samoyed, the Finnish and the Swedish Lapphund.[3] It is believed these Nordic dogs spread throughout Northern Europe and as far as Britain during the Middle Ages with the Vikings, the earliest mentions of spitz dogs in German literature date from AD 1450.[2][4][3][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.[3]

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.[4][3]

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 and 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][4]

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.[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. Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 436–438.
  4. 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.
  5. Alderton, David (2008). The encyclopedia of dogs. Bath: Parragon Books Ltd. pp. 116, 130 & 345. ISBN 978-1-4454-0853-8.
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