Page 118 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | SPITZ–TYPE DOGS

German Spitz

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors
Klein: 9–11in (23–29cm) Klein: 18–22lb (8–10kg) 14–15 years
Mittel: 12–15in (30–38cm) Mittel: 24–26lb (11–12kg)
Gross: 17–20in (42–50cm) Gross: 37–40lb (17–18kg)
GROSS

A bustling and happy dog, with good watchdog instincts, AGE AND WISDOM?
the German Spitz is quick to learn and suitable for any home
In a 19th-century German fable, illustrated below,
There are three sizes of the German German Spitzes enjoy lots of human a Spitz dog outwits a Pug that is trying to steal
its bone. Whether Spitz breeds really are more
Spitz—Klein (small) and Mittel (medium) attention, but they need careful training
intelligent than Pugs is not known, but Spitz
are both recognized by the KC, and Gross because they have an independent spirit breeds were considered to be one of the oldest
(giant) is recognized by the FCI. They are that can turn into willfulness without breeds. In 1750, based on his knowledge of the
all descendants of the herding dogs once firm leadership. The dogs can get along well German Spitz, German naturalist Count Buffon
used by nomadic tribes of the Arctic. with children if they are taught to respect suggested that the Spitz was the ancestor of
Traditionally, German Spitz dogs were them. Once their place in the family has all domestic dogs. Modern genetic evidence
supports Buffon’s idea that some Spitz dogs
used for hunting and livestock herding, been established, these cheerful, affectionate
originated early, but today no one breed is
and as watchdogs; their thick undercoat and dogs are excellent companions for owners of considered ancestral to all others, and comparative
tough outer coat protected them in the cold all ages. The immensely thick coat must be intelligence is still a matter of debate.
and wet. During the 19th century the dogs groomed thoroughly every day to keep it
became more popular as companion and from becoming matted.
show dogs. Some of these dogs were also
exported to the US and gave rise to the
American Eskimo Dog (see p.121). All
varieties of German Spitz are relatively rare.

Tail curls Compact,
over back square body

Short hair on face
Moderately
broad head

Wolf-sable

Thick frill
around neck
and shoulders

Profuse double
coat with long
outer hair

Orange-sable
Long
feathering on MITTEL
back of legs

KLEIN

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