German Spitz

The FCI standard describes the German Spitz as always attentive, lively and extraordinarily attached to its owner. According to the standard it is very teachable and easy to train; it has a natural distrust of strangers and no hunting instinct, which makes it an ideal watchdog for a house or apartment. The standard also highlights its indifference to weather, its robustness and its longevity.

In daily life that translates into a dog eager to announce the doorbell, footsteps on the stairs and the neighbor. In a small or medium-sized watchdog that becomes barking. Our article on why dogs bark explains how to find the cause and calm it without punishment. Early socialization (different people, sounds and places) makes it easier to manage this tendency.

The German Spitz suits people who want an attentive watchdog, enjoy a fluffy coat and have time for grooming. The Royal Kennel Club considers the Klein suitable for flats and homes with a small or medium garden, and the Mittel for a small house and a small or medium garden.

See our articles on kids and dogs at home and separation anxiety in dogs.

There are two accounts of the German Spitz's origin. The Royal Kennel Club writes that the breed is thought to descend from larger spitz dogs the Vikings brought from Scandinavia. The FCI's history goes further back: it says German Spitz dogs descend from the Stone Age "peat dogs" (Torfhunde) and the later lake-dwelling spitz, that it is the oldest breed of dog in Central Europe and that numerous other breeds were developed from it. Both point to a very old and broad spitz family.

In Germany the breed is divided into several sizes; the FCI standard includes the giant (Giant), medium (Mittel), small (Klein, "Miniature Spitz" in the FCI) and the smallest, the toy spitz (Zwergspitz). In the UK the Royal Kennel Club registers two sizes, the Klein and the Mittel, as German Spitz; the smallest size is known as the Pomeranian in English-speaking countries and is registered as a separate breed. More on that on our Pomeranian page.

Klein, Mittel and Pomeranian compared

• Klein (small): 23–29 cm (9–11½ in) according to the Royal Kennel Club; the FCI gives 27 ± 3 cm for the "Miniature Spitz".
• Mittel (medium): 30–38 cm (12–15 in) according to the Royal Kennel Club; the FCI gives 35 ± 5 cm for the medium size.
• Pomeranian (toy spitz): The FCI gives 21 ± 3 cm. The Royal Kennel Club writes that the breed was bred down from the German Spitz, first appeared in the UK in 1870 and became a favorite of Queen Victoria.

For these sizes the FCI standard gives no weight; it says only "a weight corresponding to its size".

According to the FCI standard the German Spitz has a medium-sized head that looks broadest at the back when seen from above and tapers like a wedge toward the nose. The ears are small, set high, triangular and always upright. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped and dark, with black eyelids. The body is square: the height at the withers equals the length of the body.

• Coat: Double: a long, straight, firm standing-off top coat over a short, dense, cotton-wool undercoat. There is a mane-like ruff on the neck and a full plume on the tail.
• Size: Klein 23–29 cm (9–11½ in), Mittel 30–38 cm (12–15 in) (Royal Kennel Club).
• Color: The Royal Kennel Club notes that most colors and color combinations are accepted, including white, black, brown, orange and grey-shaded varieties.

The Royal Kennel Club rates grooming as "every day" for the Klein and "more than once a week" for the Mittel, and says both shed. Regular brushing is a must so the double coat doesn't mat and hair doesn't pile up at home; shedding increases during coat-change seasons.

• Brushing: Use a comb and brush on areas prone to tangling, such as the ruff, behind the ears, the backs of the legs and the tail.
• Clipping: Think before clipping the full coat very short: regrowth after clipping can be delayed (see the health section below). For summer, see our article on dogs in hot weather.
• Bathing: Bathe when needed with a dog shampoo; dry the undercoat thoroughly.
• Eyes: Keep the area around the eyes clean; show your vet any watering or irritation (see Breed Watch below).
• Teeth and nails: Brush teeth from puppyhood; check nails regularly.

See our article on dog coat care for how often to brush and bathe.

The Royal Kennel Club recommends up to an hour of exercise a day for both sizes. The FCI standard finds the breed very teachable; short, rewarded and consistent lessons work well.

• Barking training: Start early because of the watchdog nature; teach a "quiet" cue and reward calm behavior at the door.
• Leash: Work on loose-leash walking while it's small: loose-leash training.
• Mental work: Sniffing games, little tricks and puzzle toys tire its brain: sniffing games.
• Socialization: To manage its distrust of strangers, set up calm, positive encounters with different people from puppyhood.

The German Spitz doesn't need a special food; a complete and balanced dog food suited to its age, size and activity is enough. Under that thick coat it can be hard to see weight, so check by hand.

• If you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, the weight is good.
• Measure the food and subtract treats from the daily amount.
• Regular weigh-ins show weight changes early.

For harmful foods, see foods dogs should never eat.

The German Spitz is generally regarded as a sturdy breed, and the FCI standard highlights its robustness and longevity. Still, some issues have been reported in the breed. The following is for information only; ask your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Eyes

The Royal Kennel Club recommends the BVA/KC/ISDS eye examination for both sizes and monitors the breed in Category 2 of Breed Watch. According to the club's January 2020 announcement, "sore eyes or excessive tearing" was added as a point to watch for both sizes, and the breeds were moved from Category 1 to Category 2. So eye health is specifically tracked in the breed. If you notice redness, squinting or constant watering, show your vet.

Inherited nerve and eye diseases

A 2024 paper described an inherited nerve disease (HSAN / acral mutilation syndrome) in a purebred German Spitz in which the sense of pain was lost progressively from the paws, and the dog licked and bit its toes and pads and injured itself; the researchers think the responsible gene variant (RETREG1) originated in the breed and say a DNA test can help prevent it. In another study, published in 2025, German Spitz dogs with hereditary retinal disease caused by variants in the GUCY2D gene were examined; the retina's electrical response to light was greatly reduced or absent in the affected dogs. Both may be rare; still, ask the breeder about the parents' DNA tests.

Alopecia X and post-clipping coat problems

The University of Minnesota's dermatology handbook lists Nordic breeds, the Pomeranian and spitz types as predisposed to alopecia X (arrested hair cycle). The cause isn't fully known; it usually starts in young adults and leads to thinning hair. The same handbook's chapter on post-clipping alopecia says hair normally regrows within 3–4 months after clipping, sometimes takes 12–24 months, and is noted more often in thick, plush-coated breeds. So before having a thick-coated Spitz clipped very short, talk to your vet or an experienced groomer. If you notice patchy hair loss or hair that doesn't regrow, show your vet.

Kneecaps and teeth

In an English study of veterinary records the Pomeranian had 6.5 times the odds of patellar luxation (slipping kneecap) compared with crossbreds; the German Spitz wasn't listed separately, but it's useful to know for a related breed of similar size. If you notice limping or your dog holding a leg up, show your vet. Tartar is common in small dogs; brush the teeth and keep up regular checks.

The Royal Kennel Club reports a lifespan of "over 12 years" for both the Klein and the Mittel. We couldn't find a separate life table for the German Spitz. In the 2024 UK study by McMillan and colleagues, small, long-nosed breeds were the longest-lived group (median 13.3 years); that is a result for a size and head-shape group, not for this breed.

Regular vet checks, a healthy weight, dental care and eye monitoring are the most concrete ways to help it live longer.

• Consider a shelter too: Spitz-type dogs also end up in shelters. Our article on adopting a dog from a shelter covers the first steps.
• If you buy from a breeder: See the parents with the puppies in a home environment. Ask for eye exam results, a pedigree and any DNA tests.
• Pin down the size: Are you getting a Klein, a Mittel or a Pomeranian? They're three different sizes and different registrations; check the paperwork.
• Barking and neighbors: If you'll live in an apartment, set aside time for barking training.
• Coat care: Be ready for regular brushing and cleaning hair at home.
• Legal registration: In Türkiye, owned dogs must be microchipped and registered in the PETVET system. See our article on PETVET registration and microchips.