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)
The earliest mentions of these spitz dogs in German literature date from AD 1450.[2][3][4][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.[4]
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.[3][4]
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 outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-wool like undercoat.[2][1]
The Wolfsspitz/Keeshond is the largest variety of Deutscher Spitz, standing some 43 to 55cm (17 to 22in) 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 32kg (60 to 70lb) for the German Wolfspitz and 25 to 30kg (55 to 65lb) for the Keeshond.[2]:134
The Giant Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 17 to 18kg (37 to 40lb) and according to the breed standard stands 43 to 55cm (17 to 22in); 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][3]
The Medium Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 10.5 to 11.5kg (23 to 25lb) and according to the breed standard stands 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours - as well as mixes thereof.[2][1]
The Miniature Spitz is a small dog. It usually weighs 3 to 5kg (7 to 11lb) and according to the breed standard stands 24 to 30cm (9 to 12in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.[2][1]
The Pomeranian (or Zwergspitz, "Dwarf Spitz") is a small dog. It usually weighs 1.4 to 3kg (3 to 7lb) and according to the breed standard stands 18 to 24cm (7 to 9in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.[2][1]
123Morris, 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. ISBN1-57076-219-8.
123Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp.436–438.
