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German Spitz (Mittel)

Size:
Lifespan:
Over 12 years
Coath length:
Medium
Sheds:
Yes
Grooming:
Every day
Size of home:
Size of garden:
Small/medium garden
Town or country:
Either
Energy levels:
High
Characteristics:
Friendly, smart and loyal
Gets along with other pets:
Yes
Family dog:
Yes
Suitable for:
All owners
Breed standard colours:
Black, Black & Tan, Black & Tan with White Markings, Black & White Particolour, Black Tricolour, Black with White Markings, Blue, Blue & Tan, Blue & Tan with White Markings, Blue & White Particolour, Blue Sable, Blue Sable & White Particolour, Blue Sable with White Markings, Blue SealBlue Seal & White Particolour, Blue Seal with White Markings, Blue Tricolour, Blue with White Markings, Brown, Brown & Tan, Brown & Tan with White Markings, Brown & White Particolour, Brown Sable, Brown Sable & White Particolour, Brown Sable with White Markings, Brown Seal, Brown Seal & White Particolour, Brown Seal with White Markings, Brown Tricolour, Brown with White Markings, Cream, Cream & White Particolour, Cream Sable, Cream Sable & White Particolour, Cream Sable with White Markings, Cream with White Markings, Ghost Tan, Gold, Gold & White Particolour, Gold Sable, Gold Sable & White Particolour, Gold Sable with White Markings, Gold with White Markings, Lilac, Lilac & Tan, Lilac & Tan with White Markings, Lilac & White Particolour, Lilac Sable, Lilac Sable & White Particolour, Lilac Sable with White MarkingsLilac Seal, Lilac Seal & White Particolour, Lilac Seal with White Markings, Lilac Tricolour, Lilac with White Markings, Orange, Orange & White Particolour, Orange Sable, Orange Sable & White Particolour, Orange Sable with White markings, Orange with White Markings, Sable, Sable & White Particolour, Sable with White Markings, Seal, Seal & White Particolour, Seal with White MarkingsWhite, Wolf Sable, Wolf Sable & White Particolour, Wolf Sable with White Markings
Average dimension(s):
Height: 30-40 cm (12-16 in)Weight: 10-11 kg (23-25 lb)
Requires training:
Basic training

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The German Spitz is a breed of spitz-type dog, originating in Germany. The breed comes in several sizes, large, medium and toy, with the Pomeranian a close relative and sometimes classed as a dwarf spitz.

The Kennel Club recognises the larger size – the Mittel – and the smaller size – the Klein. Other than size, they have many of the same characteristics, with delightful foxy faces, bright eyes and an abundant double coat, consisting of a long, straight outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-wool like undercoat.

History

The German Spitz breeds are believed to be descendants of larger Nordic spitz dogs brought from Scandinavia to Norther Europe by the Vikings. They were used in Germany as farm dogs, which could herd and guard, and over the centuries were bred to be smaller companion dogs. Their ancestors are the Samoyed, the Finnish Lapphund and the Swedish Lapphund.

Health and common issues

Generally healthy. German Spitz are generally healthy dogs, although can still be prone to a number of conditions including luxating patellas, progressive retinal atrophy) and retinal dysplasia. (Breed watch – category 2 on Kennel Club. Point of concern: sore eyes or excessive tearing)