The German Spitz is a small dog with an extremely distinctive appearance and charm. Whether you are a long-time fan of the breed or are just getting to know this unique, resolute pet, this article will provide you with a wealth of valuable information.
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German Spitz – description and appearance of the breed
The German Spitz is a small dog with a distinctive wolf-like appearance. It has a thick, fluffy coat that forms a striking orifice around its neck. His ears are large and upstanding, which adds to his alertness. The eyes are dark, round and full of life. Overall, the German Spitz is an agile, elegant dog with balanced proportions.

Character of the German Spitz dog breed
Skills – what should you know?
The German Spitz is a breed with many talents. They are distinguished by their intelligence, ease of learning and energy. They can be used for various purposes, such as agility, obedience or even therapy.
What kind of personality does it have?
The German Spitz is a resolute, confident dog that is full of enthusiasm. They have a strong defensive instinct, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They are also very loyal to their owners and are usually reserved toward strangers.
German Spitz – how to train and raise?
Training and raising a German Spitz requires patience, consistency, but most of all understanding the nature of this breed. The German Spitz is a dog with an extremely strong character, so it is very important to establish certain rules and the consequences of following them.
Despite their resoluteness and self-confidence, German Spitzes are also intelligent dogs that easily learn new skills. The best approach to training these dogs is the positive reinforcement method. Praising and rewarding a dog for good behavior definitely yields better results than punishing for mistakes.
The German Spitz is a social dog that loves to be the center of attention. Therefore, in the process of raising and training, it is important to provide the dog with the right amount of interaction and mental stimulation.
For whom is the German Spitz suitable?
The German Spitz is a breed that best suits people with an active lifestyle. It is an energetic dog that needs regular physical activity. At the same time, its intelligence makes it well suited as a dog for special tasks – this can be agility, obedience or therapeutic work.
The German Spitz is also a breed for people who value the companionship and loyalty of their dog. They are dogs that form strong bonds with their owners and are completely devoted to them.
In addition, German Spitzes work well as a guard dog. Despite their small size, they have a strong defensive instinct and are always ready to stand guard over their home and family.
German Spitz – price
The price of a German Spitz puppy varies greatly and depends on many factors. First of all, the price is affected by the prestige of the kennel from which the puppy comes, as well as its pedigree.
The prices of German Spitz puppies start at about 1,500 zlotys. However, for puppies from reputable kennels with the best pedigree, the price can go up to 3,000 zlotys or more.
However, it is worth remembering that the purchase price is only one of the expenses associated with owning a dog. You should add to the cost the expenses for nutrition, regular vaccinations, veterinary health checks, accessories such as leashes, bedding, bowls, toys, as well as costs related to possible health problems and coat care.
Advantages and disadvantages
Disadvantages
Every breed has its less positive sides, and this is also the case with the German Spitz.
One of the main challenges that owners of these dogs may face is the need to regularly groom their thick, fluffy coat. German Spitzes shed heavily, especially during the transitional periods between seasons. This requires daily brushing, which may not suit everyone.
A second characteristic that can be difficult to accept is their tendency to bark loudly. German Spitzes have a natural guardian instinct and are always ready to alert you to potential danger, which can be a problem, especially if you live in a densely populated area.
Also, their distrust of strangers and tendency to dominate can create challenges in training and socialization.
Advantages
On the other hand, the advantages of owning a German Spitz are numerous and can far outweigh the potential disadvantages.
The German Spitz is a dog with an extremely strong personality. They are intelligent, resolute and extremely loyal. Their ability to learn quickly makes them excellent dogs for a variety of training and activities.
They are also excellent guard dogs. Despite their small size, they are always ready to stand guard over their home and family, making them ideal dogs for home protection.
The German Spitz is also a social dog that loves to spend time with the family “wolf.” They form strong emotional bonds with their owners, making them extremely devoted companions.
Moreover, despite their fluffy appearance, German Spitzes are healthy and long-lived dogs, which is definitely one of their advantages.
German Spitz – Health, diseases and grooming
Nutrition
The German Spitz’s nutrition is a topic that needs a lot of attention. The diet of this dog should be balanced and full of nutrients. It is recommended to feed a high-quality dry food, the main ingredient of which is meat. The German Spitz is an active dog, so it needs a lot of protein to maintain muscle mass. In addition, the diet should be varied with vegetables and fruits, which will provide him with essential vitamins and minerals.
As with other dogs, it is a good idea to monitor the amount of food fed to avoid obesity, which can lead to serious health problems.
Grooming
Grooming the German Spitz is not too complicated, but it does require some commitment. This dog has a dense, double-layered coat that requires regular brushing to keep it in good condition. Brushing also helps minimize the problem of shedding.
German Spitzes do not require frequent bathing – they only need to be bathed when they are really dirty. Bathing too often can dry out the skin and coat.
Diseases
The German Spitz is generally a healthy breed, but like any dog, it can suffer from certain diseases. One of the most common in German Spitzes is hip dysplasia. Other potential health problems include skin diseases, heart problems and eye problems.
The German Spitz is a breed that can suffer from allergies, so it is important to monitor the condition of their skin and coat. Any changes, such as irritation, scabs, excessive shedding or changes in behavior, should be consulted with a veterinarian.
Accessories and equipment or how to prepare for this breed?
When deciding on a German Spitz, it is a good idea to prepare the right accessories in advance. First of all, you will need a good quality leash and collar or harness, adjusted to the size of the dog.
Also important are food and water bowls and a comfortable bed. The German Spitz, like any dog, needs its own place where it can rest and feel safe.
Basic accessories also include a range of toys to satisfy the dog’s natural needs for chewing, play and activity. Interactive toys can be a good choice, which will simultaneously satisfy the spitz’s need for play and mental stimulation.
In addition, grooming accessories will be essential – a brush for the coat, special shampoos for bathing, as well as oral hygiene products.
History of the German Spitz dog breed
Origins
The history of the German Spitz goes back thousands of years. Genetic studies have shown that they are one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Spitzes have been memorialized in the tomb paintings of ancient civilizations, and their likenesses appear on coins, sculptures and in literature.
Originally, these dogs served a variety of functions – from guarding to herding to pest control. They were valued for their courage, diverse skills and loyalty to their owners.
Development of the breed
The German Spitz, as we know it today, was bred in Germany in the 19th century. It was mainly worked on in order to obtain a dog with a certain appearance and temperament. Over time, the breed began to gain popularity not only as a working dog, but also as a companion dog.
German breeders worked to maintain and improve the Spitz’s characteristics, such as its distinctive coat, sharply pointed muzzle, upright ears and upturned tail. The goal was to obtain a dog that was not only attractive in appearance, but also had the skills and temperament ideal for life as a house dog.
Today
Today, the German Spitz is one of the most recognized and respected dog breeds in the world. It is valued for its intelligence, courage, loyalty and ability to learn. It has found its place both in homes, as a beloved member of the family, and in various dog sports, where its balanced temperament and abilities make it a valued competitor.
Despite its status as a popular domestic breed, the German Spitz still retains many of the traits of its working ancestors, including courage, determination and the ability to work independently. As a result, the German Spitz is not only an excellent companion dog, but also a talented working dog capable of performing a wide variety of tasks.
German Spitz dog pattern
The German Spitz is a breed with a very distinctive appearance, which is described in detail in the official breed standard.
According to the FCI standard, the German Spitz is a medium-sized dog with a proportional build and thick, fluffy fur. It has a strong, short back and a deep chest, which gives it stamina and strength.
The head of the German Spitz is wedge-shaped, with a well-defined foot. The eyes are medium-sized, oval, dark brown and express alertness and intelligence. The ears are small, upright and widely spaced.
The German Spitz has a distinctive “fox-tail,” which is densely hairy and worn loosely on the back. Its coat is thick, with a soft undercoat and a rough, straight top coat that stands away from the body.
In terms of color, the German Spitz comes in many variations – from black, red, orange, beige, to white and multicolored.
This dog is known for its confident, alert and lively temperament. He is always alert, but not aggressive. He is characterized by a strong attachment to his owner and a natural distrust of strangers.
German Spitz – interesting facts about the breed
- The German Spitz and the Queen of England: one of the most interesting stories related to the German Spitz concerns Queen Victoria. The monarch was a great lover of the breed, and it is to her credit that the Spitz is popular in Britain. One Spitz, named Marco, was a particularly beloved dog of the queen.
- Lifespan: The German Spitz is a dog breed with a fairly long life span. Properly cared for, these dogs can live up to 15 years, and some exceed even that limit.
- German Spitz and owl? German Spitzes are often compared to owls because of their appearance and character traits. Like owls, Spitzes are alert, wary and somewhat mysterious. And their large, round eyes add to their expressiveness.
- Primary Roles: Although today German Spitzes are primarily house dogs, their ancestors served many important roles. They were guard dogs, shepherds and pest hunters.
- “Spitz” – where did the name come from? The name “spitz” comes from the Old High German word “spitz,” which means “sharp” or “pointed.” All because of the characteristic shape of the head of these dogs, resembling a pointed shape.
- Different sizes: the German Spitz comes in five different sizes: from the wolf spitz, to the large spitz, medium spitz, small spitz and the miniature spitz, also known as the Pomeranian.
Emily Carter is an experienced pet enthusiast and writer, with over a decade of experience caring for and working with animals. From her early days volunteering at animal shelters to becoming a pet care advisor, Emily has dedicated her life to understanding the unique needs of pets and helping pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. She is especially passionate about topics like pet nutrition, behavior, training, and animal welfare.