Page 101 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

SPITZ-TYPE DOGS

SPITZ-TYPE

DOGS

A team of huskies pulling a sled over icy wastelands epitomizes the type of dog known as a Spitz.
In fact, this group has diverse uses, including herding, hunting, and guarding; many smaller types

are kept solely as pets. Descent from wolves is apparent in most spitz-type dogs: the shape of the
head, the typical wolf coloring, and an alert expression.

Many of the modern spitz-type dogs and not infrequently ended up being Spitz dogs, both large and small, have
seen today originated centuries ago eaten themselves when the explorers ran the characteristics of animals bred
in Arctic regions, although a number, out of rations. Such spitz-type sled dogs specifically for living in extremely cold
including the Chow Chow (see p.112) were also once widely used by North climates. Typically, they have a very
and Akita (see p.111), come from East American hunters and fur trappers. thick double coat, which varies in
Asia. The more ancient history of the Today the sled-hauling spitz breeds are length and density according to the
spitz group remains uncertain. One popular for endurance racing and with origin of a breed. Other features
theory currently being explored is that tourists who want to try their hand at for preventing heat loss in low
spitz-type dogs all have their earliest dog-driving. Other spitz dogs have been temperatures are small, pointed,
origins in Asia, some migrating bred for hunting large game such as furry ears, and heavily furred feet. An
alongside tribal movements into wolf and bear, and for herding caribou. attractive addition to many breeds is
Africa and others across the Bering The Akita, originally from Japan, was the distinctive “spitz” tail that curls
Strait to North America. developed as a fighter and bear hunter upward over the back.
Breeds such as the Greenland Dog and now often works as a guard dog. As house dogs, most spitz breeds
(see p.100) and Siberian Husky (see Among the small, nonworking spitz are happy with family life, but
p.101) were used most famously for dogs are the Pomeranian (see p.118), they are not the easiest of dogs to
sled-hauling by the polar explorers of selectively bred down in size from train. Without sufficient exercise
the 19th and early 20th centuries. These a larger type of dog, and the newly and amusement they can resort to
tough dogs worked in appalling weather created Alaskan Klee Kai (see p.104), disruptive behavior such as digging
conditions, often on a diet of poor food, a miniature husky. holes and barking.

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