German Spitz

The German Spitz, or Deutscher Spitz, is a spitz-type dog from Germany. It is treated as one breed with five varieties, separated by size and color: the Wolfsspitz or Keeshond, the Giant Spitz (Großspitz), the Medium Spitz (Mittelspitz), the Miniature Spitz (Kleinspitz) and the Pomeranian (Zwergspitz, or “dwarf spitz”).

History

Spitz dogs are first mentioned in German writing in 1450. A work of 1750 described them as the ancestors of all the German breeds of the day. They were originally farm dogs with several jobs, including herding and guarding. Over the centuries some lines were bred smaller for other work and, in time, as small companions.

Appearance

All five varieties share the same coat: a long, straight outer coat over a short, thick undercoat with the feel of cotton wool. They differ greatly in size.

The Wolfsspitz or Keeshond is the largest, standing 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in), with a silver-gray coat shaded with black. In Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and some other English-speaking countries, the Keeshond and the German Wolfsspitz are counted as two separate breeds; the Wolfsspitz may weigh 27 to 32 kg (60 to 70 lb) and the Keeshond 25 to 30 kg (55 to 65 lb).

The Giant Spitz has the same height range, 43 to 55 cm, and usually weighs 17 to 18 kg (37 to 40 lb). It may be white, black or brown, and black and brown dogs may have white spots on the chest, paws and tail tip.

The Medium Spitz stands 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) and usually weighs 10.5 to 11.5 kg (23 to 25 lb). The Miniature Spitz stands 24 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in) and weighs 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lb). The Pomeranian, the smallest, stands 18 to 24 cm (7 to 9 in) and weighs 1.4 to 3 kg (3 to 7 lb). These three come in white, black, brown, orange, gray-shaded and other colors.

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