General Information

Dog NameGerman Spitz
Other NamesDeutscher Spitz
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeSpitz
GroupNon-Sporting
Breed ForCompanion Dog
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginGermany

Physical And Size

SizeSmall to Medium
Min Life Span13
Max Life Span15
Min Ideal Weight for male10
Max Ideal Weight for male11
Min Ideal Weight for female10
Max Ideal Weight for male11

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentLively, Devoted, Independent
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyMedium
Child FriendlyMedium
Cat FriendlyMedium
Dog FriendlyMedium
Office FriendlyMedium
Apartment FriendlyHigh
Senior Citizens FriendlyHigh
Service DogHigh
Search and Rescue DogHigh
Biting PotentialMedium
Country of OriginGermany
Nicknames and Other NamesDeutscher Spitz
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupNon-sporting Group,
Companion Dog
Bred ForCompanion Dog
SizeSmall to Medium-sized
Recognized ByAKC, FCI, ANKC, NZKC, KC, UKC
Life Span13-15 years
Ideal Weight24-26 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height12-15 inches (male and female)
Fur TypeMedium-length, straight, soft and wooly
Common ColorsBrown, Cream, Black and Tan, Black,
White, Wolfgray, Orange, Red
MarkingsSable, Parti-color
AvailabilityModerately available
AchievementsOne won best in a group for the utility
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToPomeranian

German Spitz dogs breed can be confused with Pomeranian because in fact many people still think that any white and a small dog is a Pomeranian. Most of the dogs that you see around are German Spitzes and there are many varieties of Spitzes.

Like any Spitz breed, German Spitz can be a barker if left to his own, but after training, it can learn when it is okay to bark and when it is not. It generally gets along with children, dogs, and cats but its high prey drive can make it dangerous to small pets or birds.

Origin and History

The German Spitz is believed to be the direct descendant of various Nordic herding dogs such as Samoyed and the Lapphund. They came to Europe with the Vikings. In fact, it is believed that there is German literature that refers to Spitz somewhere around 1450.

The breed’s popularity decreased after World War I but was revived in Europe in the 1970s. Today German Spitzes are famous in Germany, Great Britain, and Australia. The United Kennel Club registered the German Spitz in 2006.

Are German Spitz dogs child friendly?

Yes, German Spitz dogs are child friendly because they are happy, intelligent, and friendly dogs. They don’t show any signs of nervousness or aggression. They are very active and alert so they can play and chase the children in the yard.

Teach your child how to approach the German Spitz dogs. Never let the child pull the tail or ear of dogs, this makes the dogs angry and can even bite the kids. So proper supervision is necessary with children.

facts of German Spitz dogs
German Spitz dog with kid source:lostpetfinders.com.au

Behavior, temperament and personality

German Spitz dogs behave in a funny manner and is a lively dog that can be independent. It is smart and many owners describe it as having a sense of humor. They are a perfect family dog, they love to be in the company of their human counterparts. This is an intelligent breed that can be easy to train.

The temperament of the German Spitz dog is affected by training and socialization. Training should be given at the early stages so they can behave properly with children. Early socialization includes exposure to people, sights, and experiences.

The personality of the German Spitz dog is described by their high prey drive capacity because they are prone to attack smaller pets including birds, ferrets, and cats. They can coexist with cats when raised with them. They love to participate in training such as chasing the ball.

Trainability

German Spitz is a very playful breed that is alert and intelligent. They are obedient and love to please their family members. This makes the training process a little easy. The owner just has to be consistent and make good training programs and after a few months, you have a perfectly trained dog in your house.

The only problem in training your German Spitz dog is that it can be stubborn but you have to start the training early. Proper training will help your dog to develop good habits in your dog. You have to keep in mind that a crate should be a safe place for your pet and that should not be given as punishment.

facts of German Spitz dog
German Spitz dog source: instagram@ verspitzt

Facts of German Spitz dogs

Some of the facts related to German Spitz dogs are as follows:

  • In their homeland Germany, German Spitzs were known to sit on high spots and bark out a high-pitched alert at the sight of anything unusual.
  • The German Spitz comes in five size varieties: toy, klein, mittel, wolfspitz and giant
  • German Spitz dogs have life span of 13 to 15 years
  • German Spitz has the classic Nordic dog appearances
  • The temperament of German Spitz dog is lively,devoted, trainable, attentive and robust
  • German Spitz has mass of 14 to 18 kg and height of 43 to 46 cm
  • Mittel has mass of 7 to 11 kg and height of 30 to 38 cm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcVo2feMQJo
Amazing facts of German Spitz dog

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesLuxating Patella, Dental Problem,
Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
Eye Infection, Heart Problem
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredCanine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough,
Rabies, Canine Distemper,
Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis,
Canine Coronavirus
SheddingAverage Shedder
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingAdvance Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialLow to Average
Separation AnxietyModerate Chance
AllergiesNone
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 18%
fat: 8%
Multivitamins
Glucosamine
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Antioxidant

German Spitz dogs are healthy but like other breeds that are prone to certain health issues. Some of the health conditions are given below:

  • Luxating Patella: In this condition, the kneecap is dislocated and can rise from obesity.
  • Eye infections: Straining around the eyes can be seen.

Colors

German Spitz dogs are found in the following different colors:

  • White
  • Black
  • Cream
  • Black and tan
  • Brown
  • Orange

Puppies

Cost

The average cost of the German Spitz puppies is about $400 to $1000 USD

Size

German Spitz has height of 43 to 46 cm and German Spitz Mittel has height of 30 to 38 cm. German Spitz has weight of 14 to 18 kg and German Spitz Mittel has weight of 7 to 11 kg

Which dog breeds are they similar to?

Some of the breeds similar to German Spitz dogs are as follows:

Visit Doglime to know about different dogs breed.