Spitz

A spitz dog born in India, raised in Canada.

Spitz-type dogs (the correct German plural is Spitze, though spitzes is commonly used in English) are a type of dog characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. The tail often curls over the dog's back or droops.

Origins

The exact origins of spitz-type dogs are not known, though most of the spitz-types seen today originate from the Arctic or East Asian regions.^{[<span title="seems unlikely; "Arctic" should be specified (December 2010)">citation needed]} The type was described as Canis pomeranus by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revision of Systema naturae in 1788 (printed in English in 1792.)^[1]

There is no archaeological evidence showing transition stages between the wolf and the often-similar spitz-type dogs. Skeletal remains up to 5,000 years old suggest it is far more likely that the ancestors of spitz types mated with wolves. In recent genetic testing of dog breeds, many spitz-types were found to be in the group closest to wolves, presumed to be the oldest types of dogs.^[2]

Migrations

Skeletal remains around 2,000 years old unearthed in Switzerland indicate that spitz-type dogs have inhabited Central Europe for millennia. These dogs are almost certainly the ancestors of the European spitz-types, such as the German Spitz. Many spitz-types also migrated into Siberia and Mongolia.^{[citation needed]} Over the centuries, many of these dogs were transported by humans to Japan, most likely from Manchuria.^[3]

These Asian spitz types are the ancestors of today's breeds such as the Chow Chow and the Akita Inu.

Working dogs

Through selective breeding, spitz-types have been developed to fit three purposes helping humans: hunting, herding, and pulling sleds. The larger and more powerful breeds such as the Akita Inu, Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian Elkhound and Swedish Elkhound were used for big game hunting, helping humans kill moose and brown bears. ^{[citation needed]}

Smaller breeds such as the Finnish Spitz and the Lundehund were used in Scandinavia to hunt birds and smaller mammals. Three of the largest spitz types, notably the Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog, were used to pull sleds up until the 19th century. During that century, when fur trapping and sled dog racing became lucrative businesses, the smaller and faster Siberian Husky came to be used more frequently in Canada and Alaska. The Finnish Lapphund and Swedish Lapphund was used by the Sami people to herd reindeer, but also for hunting and as sled dogs. The Welsh Corgi is used to herd cattle and sheep. ^{[citation needed]}

Adaptation to the Arctic

Spitz-types are well suited to living in harsh northern climates. They often have an insulating, waterproof undercoat that is denser than the topcoat to trap warmth. Small ears help reduce the risk of frostbite, and thick fur that grows on the paws protects the dogs from sharp ice. Many spitz-type breeds, like the Akita and Chow Chow, retain wolf-like characteristics like independence, suspiciousness, and aggression towards unfamiliar humans or other dogs, and they require much training and socialization when they are puppies before they become manageable in a city or apartment. Some, such as the Karelian Bear Dog, are more difficult to train as companion dogs. Some sources claim Spitz dogs are more prone to rabies.^[4]

Companions and toys

The charming look of the spitz-type, with its thick fur, fluffy ruff, curled tail and small muzzle and ears, has caused several people to create non-working types designed to be companions or lap dogs. This trend is most evident in the tiny Pomeranian, which was originally a much larger dog closer to the size of a Keeshond before being bred down to make an acceptable court animal. The Keeshond, the Wolfsspitz variation of the German Spitz, widely known as the national dog of the Netherlands, is an affectionate and loyal, albeit very energetic, pet. Often, these breeds are recognized for their "smiling" mouths. Other spitz types which have been bred away from working uses are the American Eskimo Dog, Alaskan Klee Kai, German Spitz, Japanese Spitz, and Pomeranian. ^{[citation needed]}

Dog breeds

This list might not be complete and is, at best, an educated guess from experts and dog fanciers based on the physical characteristics of the breeds. In the future, genetic studies might better clarify the relationship among various breeds. Note that dogs listed here might be classified as toy dogs, herding dogs, sled dogs, and in other types.

Akita Inu Alaskan Husky Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Akita American Eskimo Dog Black Norwegian Elkhound Canaan Dog Canadian Eskimo Dog Chow Chow East Siberian Laika Eurasier Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz German Spitz Greenland Dog Hokkaidō Icelandic Sheepdog Indian Spitz Jämthund Japanese Spitz Kai Ken Karelian Bear Dog Keeshond Kintamani Kishu Korean Jindo Dog

Labrador Husky Lapponian Herder Mackenzie River Husky Norrbottenspets czechoslovakian wolfdog Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Nureongi Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pomeranian Pungsan Russo-European Laika Sakhalin Husky Salish Wool Dog Samoyed Seppala Siberian Sleddog Shiba Inu Shikoku Siberian Husky Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund Tamaskan Dog Thai Bangkaew Dog Volpino Italiano West Siberian Laika

References

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