German Spitz

A large german spitz is one of four tips that mainly differ in size. They are all very effective, richly hairy dogs with pointed ears and lush tail curled up on the back. Intelligent, alert, distrustful of strangers.

Nature

The large Spitz is an intelligent dog with a lively disposition. Large spitz, unlike their smaller relatives, is calm, composed and noisy. They have a balanced character and confidence. Their courage makes them sometimes even reckless. However, they should not show nervousness or unnecessary aggression. Spitz has a strong guarding instinct, and their undoubted advantage is their lack of vagrancy.

In the surroundings of the household, the large Spitz is cheerful, funny, sometimes cunning, very emotional and easy to interact. They like to please people, but they also value independence and know how to get it. They really like the company of children and are happy to play with them. They are herd animals and they feel best when the whole family is included. They are not offensive to foreign dogs, but they will not let them blow the grits – a provoked large Spitz will defend itself.

Skills

The original role of the Spitz, in which dogs of this breed prove themselves to this day, was to guard the house and bypass, alert about the arrival of an intruder and any disturbing changes in the environment. Then the Spitz became, above all, companion dogs and they are still today.

In addition, Spitz once performed in circus arenas, surprising the audience with fancy tricks. By becoming spoiled and cherished pets, they did not lose their diligence and passion for learning. They are very thorough and like to show off, often without any explicit encouragement from the human. Their penchant for walking on hind legs is characteristic of many pointed.

Training and education

Of the original breeds, German Spitz is one of the easiest breeds to lay. Large spitz is extremely skillful and easy to learn. Even a novice owner should handle their upbringing.

Who is this race for?

A large spitz can be recommended to anyone who would like to have a vigilant watchman and an effective, cheerful friend. Breeders believe that these dogs are able to adapt to different environments and living conditions. Large Spitz eagerly accompanies the owner on a walk of several dozen kilometers as well as on the couch.

Advantages and disadvantages

Big Spitz – what is it like? Learn its pros and cons!

Disadvantages

• sometimes barking
• intensely molts and requires regular brushing
• can be a bit stubborn

Advantages

• excellent family dog
• great watchman
• very attached to the owner
• easy to arrange
• adapts to different conditions

Health

The large Spitz is one of the healthiest breeds. Diseases occur sporadically with them. White Spitz is more likely than allergies to those with other colors.

Feeding

In terms of nutrition, tips are not demanding. They eat little and are not prone to gaining weight. You can feed them with good quality ready food or prepare meals yourself.

Care

Spitz dogs are very clean and, contrary to appearances, easy to care for. Their long, hard hair does not hold dirt and even after an autumn walk you can quickly bring to order a large spitz. Spitz must be brushed under the hair. It is enough to comb an adult spitz once every two weeks, and once in a molting period – once every few days.

Accessories

The pointer brush is perfect for grooming a large tip, and a furminator during molting.

History

The Nordic breeds, which include German Spitz, were used for many tasks: grazing animals, hunting and pulling small loads. For a long time, it was believed that the spitz was derived from the so-called peat dog – Canis familiaris palustris , living about 6000 years ago. Today, however, this is not so certain. His fossilized remains were found in the deposits of the younger Stone Age, that is, in the Neolithic period. Even then, peat dogs were used for guarding and defending. Skeletons of peat dogs were found in tombs, and the marks on their skulls indicated that they were killed and buried together with their master.

For centuries, local forms of spitz were formed in many countries, characteristic of the areas in which they developed, but in terms of construction, they were all similar. Even despite many years of breeding for exhibitions, German Spitz managed to preserve its original beauty. Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Saxony, the Netherlands and the Rhine Valley were the places where the number of Spitz dogs appeared in Europe. Although Germany considered the homeland of the FCI breed, mainly the Netherlands and Great Britain contributed to its improvement.

Apparently, German Spitz breeds are derived directly from the heavily hairy northern shepherd dogs, such as Lapphund. They were probably brought to northern Germany and the Netherlands by the Vikings, who invaded the area in the Middle Ages. Spitz developed as agriculture improved, and over time became popular village guard dogs. Before they went to court salons, they performed many ungrateful functions, and their fate was unenviable. In the Middle Ages, a pile of manure thrown into the yard had to be enough for the den. For decades, they were considered useless and “nothing worth”, and were widely used to work in treadmills turning large kitchen spit. From 1450, mention of Spitz began to appear in German literature.

Count Eberhand Zu Sayre Buffon in his “National History of Quadrupeds” of 1750 considers Spitz the ancestors of all domestic races. The owners of vineyards in Swabia specialized in the breeding of large spitz dogs, which is why these dogs were called wine spitz dogs. In addition to their original watchdog function, they also played the role of hunting dogs and participated in hunting birds. In the 18th century white spitz from northern Germany became particularly fashionable. They quickly wandered into the royal salons, became ladies’ favorites and a grateful object for painters. Their images can be admired, among others on paintings by the English artist Thomas Gainsborough (e.g. “Portrait of Mary Robinson” or “Morning walk”).

Template

Big German Spitz – group V FCI, section 4, reference number 97

• Country of origin:  Germany
• Character:  lively dog, devoted to the owner, distrustful of strangers, watchful guard; maybe barking
• Size:  dogs and bitches – 42-50 cm
• Weight: 14-25 kg
• Coat:  double-layered – long, straight, stiff and protruding top coat and short, thick, woolly undercoat; head, ears and paws covered with short, thick hair, the rest of the body – with long hair, which creates an abundant mane on the neck and shoulders, trousers and a feather on the tail; Spitz molts constantly, but twice a year more intensively
• Color: black, brown or white
• Lifespan:  12-15 years
• Vulnerability to training:  high; although it belongs to primitive breeds, it is relatively easy to shape
• Activity:  medium; he likes movement, but if he is given regular walks, he will adapt to a less active lifestyle; he is happy in the garden during the day
• Resistance/susceptibility to diseases:  very resistant to cold and frost, does not tolerate heat very well; rather a healthy breed, although dysplasia, epilepsy and skin allergies occur
• Possibility to buy a puppy: a  puppy usually needs to be ordered

Interesting facts

All German Spitz – wolf Spitz, large, medium, small and miniature – have one pattern, but within them are treated as separate breeds. Interestingly, the Wolf Spitz is bred separately from the large Spitz, while the smaller Spitz ointments are only a color variation, e.g. medium or small (and are rare). According to the pattern, the Wolf Spitz has a different growth range – it can be up to several centimeters higher than the Large Spitz.