German Spitz Characteristics: The steadfast and self-reliant German Spitz is a breed of Small to Medium dog classified as a member of the Non-Sporting Dog Group. The German Spitz, is characterized by its compact, sturdy appearance with an alert, happy and confident expression with a profuse coat and a distinctive spitz-type, richly plumed tail that curls up and over its back. Other characteristics include dark, medium sized, oval shaped eyes; small, erect triangular shaped ears and a brisk, fluid gait. The temperament of the German Spitz can be described as Robust, Lively, Devoted. The coat type of the German Spitz is described as long, profuse, straight coat in assorted colors. Due to its characteristics and qualities, the German Spitz demonstrated the desired traits of a Watch dog and Farm Dog and is known by its nick name the "Peatbog dog". The origin of the German Spitz dog breed was in Germany where it was developed in the 1400's. Fast Facts about the German Spitz: The following facts provide fast information about the German Spitz breed. Size: Small to Medium *** Breed Group: Non-Sporting Dog Group *** Nick name: "Peatbog dog" *** Origin: Germany *** Male Height: 12 - 15 inches (Medium size) *** Female Height: Slightly Less *** Male Weight: 15 - 24 lb (Medium size) *** Female Weight: Slightly Less *** Coat Type: long, profuse, straight coat *** Coat Colors: assorted colors *** Litter Size: 1 to 5 puppies *** Health Problems: Eye problems, Seizures *** Lifespan: 13 - 15 years *** Hypoallergenic: No German Spitz Breed Group and Dog Type - Non-Sporting Dog Group: The German Spitz is one of the many breeds of dogs that belong to the Non-Sporting Dog Group. Other names for the German Spitz: The German Spitz is known by the nickname of the "Peatbog dog". Other names for this breed of dog include the 'Dunghill barker', German Spitz Mittelspitz, German Spitz and Deutscher Spitz Standard. The "Peatbog dog" nickname arose due to the dogs heightened sense of balance and its ability to safely manoeuvre its way through the peat bogs. Its nickname of the 'Dunghill barker' (Mistbeller) was also due to its role as a watch dog and its athletic skills and its ability to climb to the highest point on a property (the dunghill) and sound a warning when necessary. Origin of the name German Spitz: The origin of the name "German Spitz", or the 'Deutch Spitz', derives from its country of origin in Germany. German Spitz History - Other Breeds: The German Spitz developed into different sizes and some separate breeds. The largest was the "Wolf Spitz", now known as the Keeshond (about 18" tall), the "Gross Sptiz" or "Giant Spitz" (about 16" tall), the "Mittel Spitz" or "Medium Size Spitz" (about 14" in height) from which the American Eskimo Dog was derived and the smallest "Zwerg Spitz" or "Toy Spitz", (under 8.5" in height) now known as the Pomeranian. German Spitz History and Origin: The country of origin of the German Spitz breed was in Germany during the 1400's. The German Spitz descends from wolves and the ancient Asian and northern or Nordic breeds of dogs of early antiquity that date back thousands of years. The Spitz types of dogs retained a wolf-like appearance with a pointed muzzle and pointed ears, a thick, dense coat with a high carried tail that curls up and over the dog's back. The German Spitz was used to perform a multitude of tasks in the Medieval towns, villages and farms performing watchdog activities, hunting vermin and small animals and herding small flocks of sheep. In 1750, based on his knowledge of the German Spitz, German naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc the Comte de Buffon (1707 - 1788) suggested that the Spitz was the ancestor of all domestic dogs. This has never been proved but the Spitz is certainly one of the oldest dogs, still retaining its wolf-like appearance. The German Spitz was brought to the United States of America by German settlers during the late 1800's. German Spitz Modern History: The modern history of the German Spitz moved on and the breed is now used as a Watchdog, Guard Dog, family companion and Farm worker. German Spitz Height: This breed is classified as a Small to Medium sized dog. The height to the shoulder of a male dog is 12 - 15 inches (Medium size). The height to the shoulder of a female dog is slightly less. German Spitz Weight: In this Small to Medium sized dog, the weight of a male dog is 15 - 24 lb (Medium size). The weight of the smaller female dog is slightly less than the male. German Spitz Coat Type: The coat type is described as a long, profuse, straight coat. German Spitz Coat Colors: The colors of this dog breed consist of assorted colors consisting of Black, White, Cream, Brown, Orange and Black & Tan. German Spitz Grooming - MODERATE Grooming Needs: The grooming needs of the German Spitz are categorized as Moderate in order to maintain a healthy, tangle-free coat and reduce the risk of skin infections. The modest grooming needs of the German Spitz is considered to be mid-maintenance requiring weekly brushing and combing. Grooming Requirements should include bathing the dog on a monthly basis and making regular inspections of the nails, teeth, eyes and ears. German Spitz Litter Size: The litter size of this dog breed ranges from 1 to 5 puppies. German Spitz puppies for sale can be obtained reputable breeders and from rescue centers. The cost of German Spitz puppies varies depending on location, pedigree history and the dog breeder. German Spitz Temperament and personality: The temperament and personality of this popular dog breed is described as Steadfast, Robust, Lively, Devoted and Self-reliant. German Spitz Exercise Requirements: The exercise requirements of this breed of dog are moderate. The exercise requirements of this breed of dog is dependent on its size, the bigger the dog the more exercise required for this lively dog. German Spitz Diet: A fully grown German Spitz should be fed twice a day. A diet consisting of a premium dog food can be balanced with fresh food eaten by the family. The question is What Can Dogs Eat?. Check out our comprehensive list of what dogs can and what dogs cannot eat. German Spitz Health Problems: Potential health problems of the German Spitz breed include Eye problems, Seizures. Resolving health problems can prove to be expensive and it is always wise to obtain pet insurance or dog health insurance when buying a dog. Is the German Spitz dog breed said to be Hypoallergenic? Answer: No. German Spitz Lifespan: The life expectancy of dogs vary according to the size, breed of dog and any serious health problems. The typical lifespan of the German Spitz breed is 13 - 15 years. German Spitz Male Dog Names: Male Dog names are most often chosen to reflect favorite names of the owner or the strength, size, coloring and country of origin of the German Spitz breed. To give you some inspiration regarding good male German Spitz names our small selection might be of help with naming boy dogs. Our top male dog names are: Dustin *** Fabio *** Artur *** Ludwig *** Konrad *** Anton *** Nico *** Sebastian *** Lukas *** Alex. German Spitz Female Dog Names: Female Dog names tend to be softer, prettier and reflect the temperament of the girl dog. Our top choice of good female German Spitz names are Sophie *** Lara *** Annika *** Katja *** Nadja *** Jasmin *** Marina *** Nele *** Kira *** Hanna. Fast Facts about the German Spitz: The following facts provide fast information about the German Spitz breed. Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris *** Dog Breed Group: Non-Sporting Dog Group *** Size: Small to Medium *** Country of Origin: Germany *** History / Date: 1400's *** Male German Spitz Height: 12 - 15 inches (Medium size) *** Male German Spitz Weight: 15 - 24 lb (Medium size) *** Coat Type: long, profuse, straight coat *** Litter Size: 1 to 5 puppies *** German Spitz Health Problems: Hip dysplasia, thyroid, and joint problems *** German Spitz Lifespan: 13 - 15 years *** | 