History The German Spitz breed is believed to descend from “Nordic Spitz” type herding dogs which were the common ancestors of other breeds such as the Samoyed, Finnish and Swedish Lapphund. These Nordic dogs are thought to have spread throughout Northern Europe, as far as Britain, during the Middle Ages thanks to the Vikings. The first mentions of Spitz in German literature date back to 1450 AD when they were kept on farms for a variety of roles including herding and guarding. General Appearance German Spitz have smooth, soft fur, with a bushy, plumed tail. They have a cheerful character and are very affectionate with their owner. They are excellent companion dogs and, in the larger varieties, are also used as guard dogs. They are teachable and easy to train. DATA SHEET 097 5 - SPITZ TYPE AND PRIMITIVE TYPE DOGS 4 - EUROPEAN SPITZ Germany Small - medium 12-14 years 2-4 puppies Independent, faithful, lively, attentive, obedient Male: 48-58 cm / 19-23 inches Female: 38-48 cm / 15-19 inches Male: 11-15 kg / 24-33 pounds Female: 8-12 kg / 17.6-26 pounds Black, white, orange, tricolor German Spitz adapt well to changes and to different environments. They are not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors. However, with some exercise and several walks a day, they get used to apartment living. Frequent. This is a child-friendly breed and is known to be affectionate and protective of them. They generally get along well with cats. They are quite friendly with other dogs. They are initially wary dogs, then quite friendly towards strangers. German Spitzes are excellent watchdogs although some will easily let a stranger trespass on their territory. German Spitzes need lots of exercise, including long walks and runs outdoors. This dog is inclined to listen to commands and obey its owner. Requires little repetition to learn specific instructions. The German Spitz requires a lot of care: daily brushing is necessary to reduce hair loss. Ears and eyes should be cleaned often to avoid infection. They understand and memorize new commands in 5-15 repetitions. The German Spitz ranks high in canine intelligence. Very inclined to play. Hypoallergenic: No. PRODUCTS MAINTENANCE SEASON CHANGE TREATMENT