Spitz

Portrait of Ludovika of Bavaria (1808–1892), mother of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, holding a spitz-type dog.

Spitz 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 dogs are not known, though most of the spitz seen today originate from the Arctic region or Siberia.^[1] The type was described as Canis pomeranus by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revision of Systema Naturae in 1788 (printed in English in 1792.)^[2]

There is no archaeological evidence showing transition stages between the wolf and the often-similar spitz 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 were found to be in the group closest to wolves, presumed to be the oldest type of dogs.^[3]

Migrations

Skeletal remains around 2,000 years old unearthed in Switzerland indicate that spitz dogs have inhabited Central Europe for millennia. These dogs are almost certainly the ancestors of the European spitz, such as the German Spitz. Many spitz also migrated into Siberia and Mongolia. Over the centuries, many of these dogs were transported by humans to Japan, most likely from Manchuria.^[4]

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

Working dogs

Through selective breeding, spitz have been developed to help humans in three ways: hunting, herding, and pulling sleds.

The larger and more powerful breeds—such as the Akita Inu, Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian Elkhound, and Swedish Elkhound—are used for big game hunting, helping humans kill moose and brown bears. Smaller breeds—such as the Norwegian Buhund, the Finnish Spitz and the Lundehund—were used in Scandinavia to hunt birds and smaller mammals.

The Finnish Lapphund, Swedish Lapphund and Lapponian Herder were used by the Sami people to herd reindeer, but also for hunting and as sled dogs. The Welsh Corgi is still used to herd cattle and sheep.

Three of the largest spitz, the Alaskan Malamute, Canadian Eskimo Dog, and the Greenland Dog, were used to pull sleds, until the 19th century. During that century, when fur trapping and sled dog racing became lucrative businesses, the smaller and faster Siberian Husky was used more frequently in Canada and Alaska.

Characteristics

Spitz 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 to reduce the risk of frostbite, and thick fur that grows on the paws protects the dogs from sharp ice. Many spitz breeds, like the Akita and Chow Chow, retain wolf-like characteristics like independence, suspiciousness, and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and other dogs, and they require much training and socialization when they are puppies before they become manageable in an urban environment. Some, such as the Karelian Bear Dog, are more difficult to train as companion dogs. Some sources claim spitz are more prone to rabies than other dog types.^[5]

Companions and toys

Spitz, with their thick fur, fluffy ruffs, curled tails and small muzzles and ears, have been bred into 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, loyal, and very energetic pet. Often, these breeds are recognized for their "smiling" mouths. Other spitz which have been bred away from working uses are the American Eskimo Dog, Alaskan Klee Kai, German Spitz, and Japanese Spitz.^[6]

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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Ken (Inu) Korean Jindo Dog

Labrador Husky Lapponian Herder Mackenzie River Husky Norrbottenspets Northern Inuit Dog Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Nureongi Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pomeranian Pungsan Russo-European Laika Sakhalin Husky Salish Wool Dog (extinct) Samoyed Seppala Siberian Sleddog Shiba Inu Shikoku Siberian Husky Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund Swedish White Elkhound [cf. sv:WP] Tamaskan Dog Thai Bangkaew Dog Volpino Italiano West Siberian Laika Yakutian Laika

References

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