Liebhaber des Deutschen Spitzes e.V. Ger man Gross

Height: 43 - 55 cm Height: 42 - 50 cm …………. (17 - 21.5 inches) ……………... (16.5 - 20 inches) Colour: wolf sable Colour: white, black, brown The way his double-layered coat The Gross is only stands out in all directions a little smaller than the Keeshond. makes the Keeshond look very Until recently, the colour brown impressive. Very characteristic was considered to be extinct and are the mane-like collar and the could only be revived again by abundant fur on his upper back means of backcrossing. Around Five varieties – one breed legs. In this variety, wolf sable is the world, there are only very few the only colour, the lighter legs specimens of German Spitz and the lighter streak behind the Gross left, so this breed was collar forming a nice contrast. In added to the Red List of the The addition, we find fine lines Society for the Conservation of around the eyes faintly Old and Endangered Livestock reminiscent of glasses. Breeds (GEH). The classification German Spitz “extremely endangered” underlines the gravity of the In earlier times, these were situation. mainly kept on farms for As a consequence, these dogs For further information see: watchdogs and were thought to were being bred a little more, but www.spitzliebhaberverein.de bark and bite a lot. Today, the situation is still very alarming. however, the Keeshond is a very It is almost impossible to draw on friendly family , extremely dogs living abroad, since very few open towards children, too. specimens of the breed can be Reserved towards strangers, but found there either. In England and Responsible for this site: very affectionate towards his Verein Liebhaber des Deutschen Spitzes e.V. the U.S., the German Spitz Ackerstr. 21 - D-47918 Tönisvorst family – the pack he belongs to. Gross does not even have the E-Mail: [email protected] status of a purebred dog. Please contact the above address for written permission to duplicate this material, in whole or in part, or to reproduce it electronically .

Translated by Martina Merckel-Braun and Jeff Clingenpeel Lifespan: 12 – 14 years, Lifespan: 10 – 12 years sometimes considerably more. Ger man Spitz Ger man Spitz Pomeranian Mittel Klein

Height: 30 - 38 cm (12 - 15 inches) Height: 23 - 29 cm (9 - 11.5 inches) Height: 18 - 22 cm (7 - 9 inches) Colour: white, black, brown, Colour: same as the German Colour: all colours allowed wolf sable, orange and different- Spitz Mittel coloured

The popularity of the German The Pomeranian is a real dwarf in For many dog owners, the height Spitz Klein peaked after the end the dog world. Though only 18 – 22 of the German Spitz Mittel is of World War II and never again cm (7 - 9 inches) high, his ideal. Not too big, so they can regained this status. The reason abundantly rich coat makes him easily take him to town, but big for this fact was probably his look a lot bigger. And, weighing enough to still be perceived as a modest, undemanding nature. only 2 kg (4.5 lbs.), they do not (watch) dog. After all, his About 500 per year were exactly call to mind the ancestors were well-respected as born in those years. The birth dimensions one would ordinarily guards of horse and cart vehicles rate went down to the lowest associate with a Spitz. and barges throughout Europe. level in 1989 at about 100 puppies, and the average level But don’t be deceived by his lovely In terms of colour, there is a lot today is about 200. Specimens of teddy-bear face. In English of choice now. The term the German Spitz Klein and speaking countries the “different-coloured” includes a Mittel again and again prove Pomeranian is nicknamed the wide variety of colours, such as their abilities in dog sports. They “King of Toys,” which of course cream, cream-sable, orange-sable, enjoy agility and dog dancing does not imply he is a “toy” to black-and-tan and spotted. events, and a lot of German play with, but refers instead to the Spotted dogs must be mainly Spitz Klein have performed in “toy breeds” (such as the Toy white, the black, brown, gray or the circus. , Toy Spaniel) in general. orange spots being evenly spread over the whole body. They are constant companions Pomeranians are no fear barkers, on walks and hikes, and, because but rather dogs who can behave in The German Spitz Mittel is the they weigh no more than 3.5 – 4 a self-confident, sometimes even ideal family dog. If small kg (7.5 – 9 pounds), can easily be arrogant way. They are alert and children live in the house, the carried in a backpack or bicycle prepared to defend their homes sturdy German Spitz Mittel is basket. In everyday life, and people in very much the same preferable to the still smaller passengers on busses or trains way as the bigger Spitz varieties. varieties. will hardly take offence to them.

Lifespan: 12 –14 years and more Lifespan: up to 16 years Lifespan: 10 – 12 years