Breeds / Medium
German Spitz puppies
Lively, alert and devoted to their household, the German Spitz is a curious watchdog with a plumed tail and a readiness to bark at anything new.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 4.5 to 22.7 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 10 to 50 lb
- Adult height 20 to 51 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Long
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 13 to 15 years
- Good with children Usually good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the German Spitz
The German Spitz is one of Europe's oldest dog types, kept in Germany as a farm and barge watchdog long before they were refined for the show ring. They come in several size varieties sharing the same shape: a wedge shaped head, small prick ears, a plumed tail carried over the back and a stand off double coat. Spitzen are lively, curious and self important, devoted to their household, and they treat announcing visitors as their main duty in life.
Moderate exercise suits the breed, walks plus indoor games, though they will happily take a long hike. The double coat needs brushing every couple of days, a thorough session weekly, and daily work for the two to three weeks a year when the undercoat drops. It should never be clipped off, since the coat insulates in both directions. Curiosity is the hazard here, this dog squeezes through gaps and heads for water, so fence properly and keep them occupied or they will bark at everything.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a German Spitz puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Progressive retinal atrophy, screened by an ophthalmologist eye exam and DNA testing of breeding stock
- Retinal dysplasia, found on a veterinary eye examination
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
Your German Spitz puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a German Spitz.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 4.5 to 22.7 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 22.7 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
Previous: German Shorthaired Pointer · Next: German Wirehaired Pointer
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from German Spitz breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-spitz/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Teuteul, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.