Get to Know the Spitz Family of Dogs

The Spitz family of dogs is a diverse group with a rich history. They originated from the Arctic region, specifically from Siberia and Greenland.

The Spitz family is known for their thick, double coats that protect them from the harsh Arctic climate. These coats come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Spitz dogs are highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of living situations, from apartments to homes with yards. Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice for many dog owners.

The Miniature Spitz is a small dog, weighing 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lb) and standing 24 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in) tall.

The Miniature Spitz comes in a variety of colours, including white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded, and other colours.

The Giant Spitz is a medium-sized dog, weighing in at 17 to 18 kg (37 to 40 lb).

They stand tall, typically ranging from 43 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in) in height, according to the breed standard.

Their coats can be quite striking, with white being a common color, but also available in black and brown.

The Miniature Spitz is a small dog that weighs between 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lb). They're quite tiny! Their height ranges from 24 to 30 cm (9 to 12 in), which is impressive for a dog of their size. The Miniature Spitz comes in a variety of coat colours, including white, black, brown, orange, and grey-shaded.

If you're looking for breeds similar to the Spitz, you might want to consider the Pomeranian.

The Pomeranian is a toy-sized dog that, like the Spitz, originated in the Arctic region.

They share a similar appearance, with a compact body and a fluffy coat.

The Pomeranian is also known for being friendly and outgoing, much like the Spitz.

Consider reading: Bernese Mountain Dog Similar Breeds

The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a densely coated coat. They were bred to be guardians and companions on Dutch barges, where they proved to be hardy, nimble-footed, and adaptable.

Their unique markings around the eyes give the impression that they're wearing spectacles. This trait is a distinctive characteristic of the breed.

Keeshonds are highly trainable, making them a great choice for owners who want a smart and responsive companion.

The Siberian Husky is originally bred by the semi-nomadic Chukchi people in the frozen territories of northeastern Asia. They're widely regarded as the ultimate sled dog.

These dogs can pull light loads at impressive speeds over long distances in packs, making them incredibly efficient. Their endurance is truly remarkable.

Their innate friendliness draws many people to the breed, and they are known for being amiable, playful and energetic.

The Finnish breed is known for its unique tracking style, indicating game birds with a range of rapid barks, yodels, and other vocalizations, earning it the nickname of "Barking Bird Dog." This breed excels as an all-round hunter with bags of stamina, courage, and enthusiasm.

Finnish breeds are excellent watchdogs that bond strongly with their families, making them great companions. They are friendly but sometimes initially wary of strangers.

These sensitive and intelligent dogs need appropriate socialization and fun and positive training to prevent problems with nuisance barking from arising.

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Spitz breeds are well-suited to living in harsh northern climates, often having an insulating, waterproof undercoat that traps warmth.

Their small, upright ears help reduce the risk of frostbite, and square proportions and thick fur on their paws protect them from sharp ice.

Some spitz breeds, like the Japanese Akita and Chow Chow, retain wolf-like characteristics such as independence, suspiciousness, and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and other dogs, requiring much training and socialization.

Smaller breeds have faces that resemble fox faces, while larger breeds have faces that resemble wolf faces.

These breeds require regular grooming, with a typical spitz coat consisting of a dense undercoat and an outer coat made up of longer hair. A twice-weekly brushing and a weekly grooming session are often sufficient.

During their twice-yearly molting periods, shedding is very heavy, and the dogs may need daily brushing to prevent matting.

Their erect ears tend to be healthy, but their nails should be clipped every other week and their teeth regularly brushed.

Intriguing read: Bernese Mountain Dog Coat

Here's a quick rundown of the exercise needs for spitz breeds:

The Medium Spitz is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 10.5 to 11.5 kg (23 to 25 lb) and standing between 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) tall.

Their coat can be a variety of colors, including white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded, and other mixtures thereof.

The Pomeranian is a small dog breed that typically weighs between 3 to 7 pounds.

One of the distinctive features of the Pomeranian is its small size, with a height range of 7 to 9 inches.

As a companion dog, Pomeranians are known to be friendly and affectionate, making them a great addition to many families.

If you're considering bringing a Pomeranian into your home, be aware that they can be rare dog breeds, so you may need to search a bit harder to find one.

Pomeranians are also known as Zwergspitz, which is German for "Dwarf Spitz", reflecting their origins in Germany.

Here are some key characteristics of the Pomeranian breed:

Spitz breeds are well suited to living in harsh northern climates due to their insulating, waterproof undercoat that traps warmth.

Their small, upright ears help reduce the risk of frostbite, making them a great fit for cold weather.

Square proportions and thick fur on their paws protect them from sharp ice, allowing them to thrive in icy environments.

Some spitz breeds, like the Japanese Akita and Chow Chow, retain wolf-like characteristics such as independence and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and other dogs.

These traits make them more challenging to train and require a lot of socialization from an early age to become manageable in an urban environment.

The Karelian Bear Dog is a more difficult breed to train as a companion dog, requiring extra patience and effort.

Smaller spitz breeds, like the Pomeranian, often have manes, giving them a distinctive and adorable appearance.

Larger spitz breeds, such as the Russian laikas, are general-purpose dogs used for hunting, hauling, herding, and guarding in their native lands.

If this caught your attention, see: Are Chow Chows Good Guard Dogs

Spitz breeds have thick coats that require regular grooming to prevent matting and shedding. They need to be brushed twice a week, with a weekly grooming session to fluff up their coats and prevent shedding.

Brushing should be done gently, as stiff brushes can damage the undercoat and outer coat. The outer coat should be brushed in the opposite direction of how it lies to fluff it up and prevent matting.

During their twice-yearly molting periods, spitz breeds shed heavily and need daily brushing to prevent hair from getting everywhere.

Bathing is not a regular necessity for spitz breeds, but warm water can loosen hairs that are about to be shed, making the shedding process worse.

Spitz breeds have erect ears that tend to be healthy, but their nails need to be clipped every other week to prevent overgrowth. Regular brushing of their teeth is also important to prevent dental problems.

Check this out: Does Bernese Mountain Dog Shed

Exercise needs vary by breed, but most spitz breeds need about an hour of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Smaller breeds like Pomeranians can get enough exercise in less than an hour, even in an apartment, while larger breeds like Alaskan Malamutes need to cover a mile or more before slowing down.

Recommended read: How Much Exercise Does a Bernese Mountain Dog Need

Spitz breeds are known to be loyal and affectionate, making them great companions for many families. They can also be quite adventurous and mischievous, so be prepared for some fun and games.

Some Spitz breeds can be difficult to train due to their independent nature, but with patience and consistency, they can learn to obey commands. They're generally gentle and trustworthy around people of all ages, which is a big plus for families with kids.

While some larger Spitz breeds can be too boisterous for small children, they're usually fine with other dogs and cats if socialized from an early age. Just keep in mind that some may be suspicious around strangers, so socialization is key.

If you're concerned about barking, you'll want to research the specific breed you're interested in, as some Spitz breeds do bark more frequently than others.

The Spitz family of dogs has a long history of being bred as companions and lap dogs. Their thick fur, fluffy ruffs, and small muzzles and ears make them the perfect cuddle buddies.

In fact, the tiny Pomeranian is a great example of this trend, having been bred down from a larger dog to make an acceptable court animal. This process of selective breeding has resulted in a range of Spitz breeds that are perfect for snuggling and playtime.

Spitzes are known for their affectionate and loyal nature, making them a great choice for families and individuals alike. The Keeshond, a type of German Spitz, is a great example of this, being bred as a watchdog for barges and now thriving as a beloved pet.

Some popular Spitz breeds that have been bred away from working uses include the American Eskimo Dog, Alaskan Klee Kai, German Spitz, Volpino Italiano, and Japanese Spitz. These breeds are sure to bring joy and companionship into your life.

The German Spitz is a long-haired breed of dog with a double coat. This double coat is made up of a long, straight outer coat and a short, thick undercoat that feels like cotton wool.

The breed standard states that all variants of the German Spitz have this double coat. This is a key characteristic of the breed that sets it apart from others.

A different take: Dog Fur Types