German Spitz

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German Spitz

Alternative names
Deutscher Spitz
Country of origin
Germany
Classification and breed standards
FCI:	Group 5 Section 4 #97	Stds
AKC:	FSS	Stds
	The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
ANKC:	Group 7 (Non Sporting)	Stds
KC (UK):	Utility (Non Sporting)	Klein Mittel Stds]
NZKC:	Non-Sporting	Mittel Klein Stds]

The German Spitz is a dog breed or group of dog breeds of the Spitz type.

1 Types
2 Appearance
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Types

There are five different types of German Spitz:

Wolfspitz (Keeshond - considered a separate breed in many countries)
Grossspitz (Giant Spitz)
Mittelspitz (Medium/Standard Spitz)
Kleinspitz (Small Spitz)
Zwergspitz (Dwarf/Midget Spitz also known as Pomeranian - considered a separate breed in many countries)

Most kennel clubs recognise only the Klein and Mittel varieties of German Spitz and consider the Pomeranian (Zwergspitz) and Keeshond (Wolfspitz) as separate breeds. In many countries the Miniature (Klein) spitz is also confused with the Pomeranians (Zwers).

[edit] Appearance

German Spitz are similar in appearance but vary in color. The Giant Spitz can only be black, white, or brown but the Standard, Small and Dwarf can have various color combinations as well.[1]. All German Spitz have a fox like head, double coat, highset triangular ears and a tail that is curled over the back. Although the Kleinspitz and the Pomeranian look alike they are not the same dog.

[edit] History

German Spitz are descendants of the ancient spitzes found in the Stone Age and they are the oldest breed of dog in Central Europe. [2] The German Spitz was later brought with to America, and over time was introduced as the American Eskimo Dog breed, which had the changed named because of the widespread anti-German feelings during [World War I], and because of this some people regard them as a closely related, yet semi-separate breed.