German Spitz and varieties of this breed

Spitz is the most ancient of the known breeds, because it comes from a Neanderthal peat dog, as well as the first domesticated animal. In Germany, and especially in Pomerania, these dogs were most popular. They were poor working dogs, the breed was valued for its good adaptability, strength, ingenuity and resistance to disease. Approximately to the end of the Middle Ages, an independent breed has already appeared in Germany - the Spitz-Sound, with a magnificent fur coat, a fox's face and a tail tucked on its back. In the XVIII century on these animals drew the attention of the aristocracy, and since that time work began on the miniaturization of the breed. So there were Wolvespitz and Keeshond (height at withers 43-55 cm); Such species as Gross (42-50 cm), Mittel (30-38 cm), Klein (23-29 cm) and the smallest species of this breed - the German dwarf dog (18-22 cm).

Thus, the pups were noticeably smaller and moved from the category "working dogs" to "room-decorative". At the end of the long and painstaking work on breeding, a German miniature spitz appeared, which is also called Pomeranian in honor of the federal land, where it was removed. He is three times smaller than his ancestor and several times lighter than him - the mass of the animal should not exceed three kilograms. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that the work to remove the "orange" was carried out and the UK. Queen Victoria, a passionate lover of such crumbs, ordered to improve the "shirt" of the pomeranian (as it was called in England, this dwarf dog), in order to give it sophistication. And now on the British Isles for the Zverg Spitz there is a local name - "Queen Victoria's pomerania".

Originally recognized as a German spitz only white. The exception was the Wolfspitz, which by definition (wolf - German wolf) had to be gray. Then the orange and beige suits became fashionable. Keeshond must be zone-gray, with black divorces. Later, black and brown dogs came into use. With regard to oranges, since 1915 English clubs are not allowed to the exhibition representatives of this breed, which weighs more than 3.6 kg (ideal weight is 3 kg). However, the exhibitions of oranges take place in the same ring with other relatives.

German Spitz, despite the huge variation in the size and weight of subspecies, has clear, inherent only to this breed, characteristics. Firstly, it is a wool coat with a short cottonish undercoat, in which the hairs are wavy. In orangs, the undercoat is long, but there is no axial hair. These dogs are valuable and because the coat they have the ability to self-clean, because axial hair develops a special secret. Secondly, it is a muzzle of the fox, gradually tapering from the wide back to the pointed spout, with triangular erect ears and oval dark eyes. Again, the pomeranian stands out, for which a clear transition from the forehead to the nose is characteristic. Their tail is very pubescent and lies on the back. It is allowed to bend the tail with rings, but not in the orange.

German Spitz is included in the list of long-livered dogs. But in order for your pet to live a long and happy life, it must be fed with balanced feeds, ensure physical activity and regularly show it to the veterinarian. The ailments of the breed include allergies, a tendency to overweight. A lush coat of a dog should be combed daily with a special brush, but you can not abuse it with a bath: its fur is already sufficiently self-cleaning. Once a week the dog needs to clean his ears, and once a month - cut his claws so that they do not damage the fingers.

The nature of the German Spitz is easy and good-natured. It is very easy to train, because he is smart and hardworking. Likes to perform commands and play in the fresh air. But if other "Germans" should be loaded with physical exercises, then the oranges are contraindicated in such tests. These dogs love to swim and, despite their modest size, are not timid, easily take on the duties of guarding the apartment.