German Spitz

German Spitz

A Cream German Spitz (Mittel)
Other names	Deutscher Spitz
Origin	Germany
Traits Weight 3–20 kg (7–44 lb) depending on variety Height 18–55 cm (7–22 in) depending on variety Coat Long straight topcoat with a soft wooly undercoat Colour All colours and markings are acceptable, including pure white.
Classification / standards FCI Group 5, Section 4 European Spitz #97 standard AKC (Kleinspitz, Mittelspitz and Grosspitz); Non Sporting (Keeshond); Toy (Pomeranian) 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) standard KC (UK) Utility Klein Mittel standard NZKC Non-Sporting Klein Mittel standard UKC Northern Breed (Kleinspitz, Mittelspitz and Keeshond); Companion Dog (Pomeranian) standard
Notes	The AKC does not have its own standard and instead links to that of the FCI
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

German Spitz is used to refer to both a breed of dog and category or type of dog. Several modern breeds have been developed from the German Spitz, and are either registered as separate breeds or as varieties of German Spitz. All the German Spitz type dogs are dogs of the Spitz type of German origin. The Großspitz, Mittelspitz, and Kleinspitz breeds of German Spitz type are also called the German Spitz in English.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes the German Spitz (Deutscher Spitz) under Group 5, Section 4, European Spitz. The Deutscher Spitz is one breed; names differentiate sizes and colour:

Since there is no one German Spitz breed type, "German Spitz" can also be considered a subtype of the Spitz. Dogs descended or bred from various German Spitze are included in this grouping.

The Wolfspitz is also called the Keeshond and is registered as a separate breed by the Kennel Club (UK) and other registries. The Großspitz (Grossespitz) or Giant Spitz is 46 ± 4 centimetres (18.1 ± 1.6 in) high and weighs 15 to 20 kilograms (33 to 44 lb). The Keeshond and the Giant Spitz are divided primarily by colour, though the Keeshond tends to have a fuller coat and is taller and heavier. The Mittelspitz or Medium/Standard Spitz is the ancestor of, and is sometimes taken to include, the American Eskimo Dog. The American Eskimo Dog is allowed to be registered as Mittelspitz by some registries. Only the Canadian Kennel Club and the two major American kennel clubs recognize the American Eskimo Dog as a separate breed. The German Spitz (Klein) (sometimes known as the Kleinspitz) is allowed more colours than the larger German Spitz under the Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard. The Japanese Spitz, also bred from the German Spitz, is very similar to the Spitz Klein but is limited to the white colour and has a different breed history. The Zwergspitz, the Pomeranian, is also registered as a separate breed in the UK and North America.

The Kennel Club (UK) and the Australian Kennel Club recognize only the Kleinspitz and Mittelspitz. In those countries the Grossespitz is not recognized, and the Pomeranian (Zwergspitz) and Keeshond (Wolfspitz) are separate breeds. In many countries the Miniature (Klein) Spitz is also confused with the Pomeranian (Zwergspitz). Some registries and breed clubs allow various sizes of German Spitz to be interbred, others do not.