The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

German Spitz Standard

Information and Pictures

Right Profile - A very fluffy black with white and tan German Spitz is standing outside in a field

Sneakers the show quality German Spitz Medium– Australian Champion Sabarka Been Sneaky In Luv – Sneakers (Best in Specialty Show winner 2013, Best of Breed Canberra Royal 2014, Best of Breed Sydney Royal 2014 plus many other awards too numerous to mention).

Other Names
  • Standard Spitz
  • German Medium Spitz
  • German Spitz Mittelspitz
  • German Spitz
  • Deutscher Spitz Standard
  • Mittelspitz
Pronunciation

jur-muh nb spits

Description

The Medium German Spitz comes in a wider variety of coat colors than some of its Spitz cousins, including black, brown, orange, wolf gray and white. The compact, triangular ears are close together and high set. The hair on the head is short compared to the rest of the body, but it is still very thick. The feet are very small with hair in between the toes. The eyes appear to be proportionally large. The tail is curled on top of the back and lies against the side of the body.

Temperament

Happy, alert, watchful and buoyant, German Spitzes make good watchdogs. They are excellent jumpers and love to stand on their hind legs. They enjoy a lot of human attention, and are very happy to please. Teach this dog early that it may bark a couple of times when the doorbell rings or when there are visitors, but then to keep quiet. Be very consistent about this. They are alert, curious and very busy. They must be taught that the owner is the boss, or they will not listen. This breed may become too demanding if the owner allows it. If you do not show this dog all humans are pack leader to him, he will not be trustworthy with children. They may become nervous and snappish toward them. However, they can get along well with children so long as the child is taught how to demonstrate leadership skills. It is a good companion for an elderly person. Without a stern, confident, consistent pack leader, they will be feisty, willful, bold, temperamental, and will not be easy to obedience train. When trained properly they make good companions. Along with being a strong pack leader, socialize well to avoid them from becoming reserved and barking at strangers, other dogs and animals, which may lead to dog aggressiveness. They are very beautiful and elegant in the show ring. The best way to reinforce your pack leader status is to take them for daily pack walks. This not only helps the dog see you as the leader, but it releases mental and physical energy, making the dog stable minded, levelheaded and confident that he knows his place in the world.

Height, Weight

Weight: Standard 23 - 41 pounds (10.5 - 11.5 kg)
Height: Standard 11.5 - 14 inches (29 - 36 cm)

Health Problems

Generally a healthy breed with few genetic health problems

Living Conditions

The German Spitz is good for apartment life. It is fairly active indoors and a small yard will suit it.

Exercise

This breed needs to be taken on a daily walk or jog. They will happily company their owners on a 20-mile walk or one mile daily walk.

Life Expectancy

About 13-15 years

Litter Size

About 1 to 5 puppies

Grooming

Regular brushing is needed to prevent matting. Some Spitzes do not like to be groomed and you have to teach them to stay for you during the grooming session.

Origin

The German Spitz is directly descended from the profusely coated Nordic herding dogs, such as the Samoyed and the Lapphund. It was said to have arrived in Europe with Viking plunderers. German literature refers to the Spitz as early as 1450. The Giant and Toy German Spitz have always been used as companion dogs, while the more common Standard Spitz was once used as a resourceful farm worker. The Toy German Spitz was imported to England from Pomerania, Germany, over 100 years ago and adopted the pseudonym Pomeranian. It was a favorite of Queen Victoria and was occasionally called the Victorian Pom. The Pomeranian has since developed separately with its own standard. German Toy Spitzes and Pomeranians are very similar, but they are separate breeds. The German Spitz is rare and has been losing popularity even in its homeland.

Group

Northern, AKC Non-Sporting

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
Close Up head shot  - the face of a white German Spitz

Polly (Llancarfan Polar Romance) a pure white German Spitz with imported parentage from Germany) is a show quality German Spitz Medium.

A fluffy black with white and tan German Spitz is standing outside in a field

Australian Champion Sabarka Been Sneaky in Luv, aka Sneakers as a puppy at 3 months old. He is a show quality German Spitz Medium.

A white German Spitz is standing on a table outside and looking forward.

Australian Champion Sabarka Dainty by Design, aka Daisy is a cream German Spitz winning Reserve Challenge Female Sydney Royal 2014, a very nice show quality German Spitz Medium.

Close Up upper body shot - A fluffy white German Spitz is sitting in a field in front of a chain link fence

Sabarka Echoes in the Mist, aka Echo as a puppy at 8 weeks old. A nice show quality German Spitz Medium.

Two tan with white German spitz puppies are laying on a purple and blue blanket that has frogs on it surrounded by plush toys

Show quality litter of German Spitz Medium puppies from Sabarka's litter.

A white with tan German Spitz is laying outside and looking at a toy in between its paws

Show quality white German Spitz Medium puppy from Sabarka's litter with her toy.

A tan, white and black German Standard Spitz is sitting on a tan couch

An adult German Standard Spitz sitting up on the sofa

A tan, white and black German Standard Spitz is laying on a couch

An adult German Standard Spitz laying down on the sofa

A little fluffy white German Spitz puppy is outside being held in the air by a lady who is wearing red lip stick.

Blondie aka Blondie Star the German Spitz Mittel puppy at 8 weeks old

A tan and black German Spitz Puppy is sitting outside on white bricks

A German Spitz puppy sitting out on the patio

See more examples of the Medium German Spitz