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German Spitz

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German Spitz
A cream-coloured German Standard Spitz (Mittelspitz)
Other namesGerman: Deutscher Spitz
OriginGermany
Kennel club standards
VDH standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)
Wolfsspitz
Other namesKeeshond
Traits
Height
43–55 cm (17–22 in)[2]: 6 
Weight
15–20 kg (33–44 lb)[1]: 118 
Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat
Colour Grey-shaded
Dog (domestic dog)
German Giant Spitz
Other namesGerman: Großspitz
Traits
Height
40–50 cm (16–20 in)[2]: 13 
Weight
17–18 kg (37–40 lb)[1]: 119 
Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat
Colour White, black and brown, sometimes with white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail
Dog (domestic dog)
German Medium Spitz
Other namesGerman: Mittelspitz
Traits
Height
30–40 cm (12–16 in)[2]: 13 
Weight
11–12 kg (24–26 lb)[1]: 119 
Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat
Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)
German Miniature Spitz
Other namesGerman: Kleinspitz
Traits
Height
24–30 cm (9.4–11.8 in)[2]: 13 
Weight
8–10 kg (18–22 lb)[1]: 119 
Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat
Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)
Pomeranian
Other namesGerman: Zwergspitz
German Toy Spitz
Traits
Height
18–24 cm (7.1–9.4 in)[2]: 20 
Weight
2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb)[1]: 123 
Coat Double coat, long straight outer and thick cotton-wool like undercoat
Colour White, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours
Dog (domestic dog)

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").

History

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The earliest mentions of these spitz dogs in German literature date from AD 1450.[1][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]

Description

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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.[1][2]

Wolfsspitz/Keeshond

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The Wolfsspitz/Keeshond is the largest variety of Deutscher Spitz, standing some 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in) at the withers according to the breed standard. The coat is silver-grey with black shading.[2] 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 32 kg (60 to 70 lb) for the German Wolfspitz and 25 to 30 kg (55 to 65 lb) for the Keeshond.[1]: 134 

Giant Spitz

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The Giant Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 17 to 18 kg (37 to 40 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in); the coat can be white, black or brown. Black and brown animals can have white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail.[2][3]

Medium Spitz

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The Medium Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs 10.5 to 11.5 kg (23 to 25 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours - as well as mixes thereof.[1][2]

Miniature Spitz

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The Miniature Spitz is a small dog. It usually weighs 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 24 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.[1][2]

Pomeranian

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The Pomeranian (or Zwergspitz, "Dwarf Spitz") is a small dog. It usually weighs 1.4 to 3 kg (3 to 7 lb) and according to the breed standard stands 18 to 24 cm (7 to 9 in); the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. pp. 124 & 134–135. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "FCI-Standard No 97: Deutsche Spitze" (PDF). Fédération Cynologique Internationale. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Morris, 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. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
  4. ^ a b c Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Neptune City, N.J.: TFH Publications. pp. 436–438.
  5. ^ Alderton, David (2008). The encyclopedia of dogs. Bath: Parragon Books Ltd. pp. 116, 130 & 345. ISBN 978-1-4454-0853-8.
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