GERMAN SPITZ

German Wolfspitz
COUNTRY: Germany
HEIGHT: 18 inches minimum
COAT: Long, dense, double, stand-off
COLOR: Wolf gray only
GROUP: Northern

Giant German Spitz
COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT: 40 pounds
HEIGHT: 16 inches minimum
COAT: Long, dense, double, stand-off
COLOR: Solids only—black, white or brown
OTHER NAMES: Deutscher Grossspitz, Great Spitz
GROUP: Northern

Toy German Spitz
COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT: Under 7 pounds
HEIGHT: Under 8^2 inches
COAT: Long, dense, double, stand-off
COLOR: All solid colors
OTHER NAMES: Zwergspitz
GROUP: Northern

Besides the three traditional uses for the Nordic breeds, herding, hunting and hauling, spitz have become popular throughout the world as utility and companion dogs. Countries from all over the world have developed their own form, all of which are still similar to one another.

The Pomeranian has developed separately and divergently with its own standard. These dogs are more refined and have an exaggerated coat. They closely resemble their cousin the Spitz, but are a breed of their own.

With the Pomeranians of the show ring becoming smaller and smaller, many English fanciers lamented the demise of the larger specimens. In fact, Pomeranian show classes for "over 7-pound" dogs had been discontinued in the 1940s. British breeders Janet Edmonds and Averil Cawthera brought in several Klein and Mittel German Spitz from the Continent in the mid-1970s, although they were registered as Poms in England and used in Pomeranian breeding programs.

With the desire to re-establish the larger type Spitz, a special arrangement was created with the Kennel Club of Great Britain. For a six-month period in 1985, any Pom with one or more of four imported Spitz dogs in their pedigrees could have their registries switched to that of German Spitz. After this initial six-month period, the stud books were closed to any further double registration. From this beginning, the German Spitz has been re-established in Great Britain and is now an official breed there.

Breeders say that these dogs are most adaptable, happily accompanying owners on a 30-mile walk or cuddling in front of the fire. They, are described as being much like a young child, anxious to please—yet also wanting their own way and knowing how to obtain it. A structured family order exists among these breeds, with the youngest adult delegated to play with the puppies. Like so many of the other northern breeds, the German Spitzes are happy and buoyant, displaying charming smiles and seeming to laugh with you—or at you. They are excellent junipers and like to stand on their hind legs to beg or to show off. They should never show any nervousness or aggression, being always equable and confident. The alert, watchful personality, needed long ago with the herds, is retained and now suits the watchdog and companion.

The German Spitz breeds descend directly from the profusely coated Nordic herding dogs, like the Samoyed or the Lapphund, that are so common in the North. They were probably brought to northern Germany and Holland by Viking plunderers and looters who plagued those areas during the Middle Ages. These dogs spread throughout Europe and even the British Isles, contributing to the development of the true herding and shepherd breeds, as well as being the progenitors of the Spitz.

The Spitz was mentioned in German literature and history as early as 1450. Count Eberhand Zu Sayre Buffon wrote in his 1750 National History of Quadrupeds that he believed the Spitz to be the ancestor of all domestic breeds. At the end of the 17th century, citizens of Pomerania were raising a large white Spitz, and those in Wurttemberg had black and brown varieties to watch over their farms and possessions.

These original Spitz dogs have evolved into several sizes and a bouquet of solid colors. Today, the FCI recognizes five varieties based on size. The Wolfspitz, the largest and in gray only, is a similar type to what became the Keeshond in Holland. The Giant is not really a giant, compared to some of the flock guards or mastiffs, and is reminiscent of a small Samoyed or a Lapphund in white, chocolate or black. Standard and Small Spitz, in a wider variety of colors, became much-loved companions with the more recent development of the tiny toy to satisfy the demand for an apartment or lap-sized Spitz. These breeds are popular in Germany and well known throughout Europe, but have not reached North American shores.

The Small Spitz was imported to England from Germany (Pomerania) over 100 years ago and adopted the pseudonym Pomeranian. It was a favorite of Queen Victoria and was occasionally called the Victorian Pom. Gainsborough admired the German Spitz and captured its beauty