GROUP 7 - NON SPORTING

Brief History
The German Spitz is one of the most ancient of dog breeds and the oldest originating from Central Europe. First references of the spitz can be found in 1450 when Count Eberhard Zu Sayn of Germany remarked that the dog was a valiant defender of the home and fields. What the small spitz lacks in bulk, they make up for in alertness and voice. Traders and fishermen took these dogs on their boats as alert watchdogs for their goods. On farms, the spitz’s acute hearing was used for early warnings of intruders. They would sit up on anything high and use their high-pitched alarm bark at the first sign of anything strange. In Germany, they are sometimes called mistbeller, meaning dung-hill barkers

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 14 to 15 years. 

Temperament
German Spitz are always attentive, lively and extraordinarily attached to their owner. He is very teachable and easy to train. His natural distrust of strangers and lack of hunting instinct make him the ideal companion and family dog and watch dog for home and farm. He is neither timid nor aggressive.

General Breed Description
The German Spitz is intelligent, active and alert. Their buoyancy, independence and devotion to the family are the breed characteristics. Indifference to weather, robustness and longevity are the German Spitz’s most outstanding attributes. 

He is compact, short coupled and well-knit with an almost square outline. In firm condition, the profuse coat does not disguise any lack of substance. All colour varieties and markings are acceptable, with the exception of merle. Butterfly pigment not permitted with any colour. The most common, colours are black, chocolate, orange, cream, black & tan, white and parti colours.

Coat and Care requirements
This breed has a double coat consisting of a soft woolly undercoat and a long, harsh textured, perfectly straight top coat covering the whole of the body. Abundant around neck and forequarters with a frill of profuse, but not excessive, off standing straight hair extending over the shoulders. Forelimbs well feathered, tapering from elbows to pasterns. Hind limbs feathered to hocks. Ears are covered with soft short hair. Hair on the face smooth and short. The tail is profusely covered with long, spreading hair. This is not a trimmed breed.

Size
Height:  Klein 23 to 29cms (9 to 11.5ins).
Height:  Mittel 30 to 38cms (12 to 15ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders in is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does. The German Spitz is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include, epilepsy, patella luxation, and PRA are possible health issues.

Suitability
German Spitz are a happy and lively dog breed and they like to do things together with family. They are well suited to family life, with an enclosed garden.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/77