Affectionate, playful and curious, Spitzes are nowadays very popular as companion dogs. However, the Spitz is not just the short-legged little ball of fur that we usually think of, and some well-known breeds are part of the larger Spitz family without many people knowing it.
What is a Spitz?
The Spitz is not a breed of dog as one might think, but a family of dogs, coming from different countries and divided into different breeds, just like the bulldog or the spaniel. They come in different sizes, weights and colors depending on their origins.
Top 10 different breeds of Spitz
German Spitz
The German Spitz is the traditional little ball of hair that we imagine as soon as we talk about Spitz, also called Dwarf Spitz, Pomeranian Spitz or Wolf Spitz depending on their size. The origins of this breed date back to the Stone Age, the current German Spitz probably descending from the dogs of the German peat bogs (natural wetlands). Traces of this breed can be found in ancient times and in the Middle Ages.
Miniature Spitz or Pomeranian Spitz
The smallest Spitz, also known as the Pomeranian, is often red in color, but there is a wide variety of colors such as black or white. It has a curved tail on its back, measures about 20cm at the withers, weighs between 2kg and 3.5kg and has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. The dwarf spitz is particularly playful and attached to its owners, including children with whom it gets along very well.
Medium Spitz
The medium Spitz, which is the German Spitz of intermediate size. There is a wide variety of colors also ranging from black to red, which measures about thirty centimeters at the withers, for a weight of 7 to 11kg. It can live up to 19 years. It is compatible with other pets, but much less with children, against whom it can be aggressive if they become too insistent.
Wolf Spitz
The largest variety of the German Spitz, this one is the closest to the original German Spitz. It is always gray-black in color, like a wolf. Much larger than its cousins, it measures about 50 centimeters at the withers, weighs between 14 and 18kg and generally lives between 13 and 15 years. It is a good watchdog that can live with other animals and children, and very attached to its owners.
Japanese Spitz
As its name suggests, this breed of Spitz is of Japanese origin. Essentially white in color, and with hair a little shorter than that of the German Spitz, it measures an average of 33cm at the withers, weighs from 6 to 10kg and generally lives from 10 to 16 years. The Japanese Spitz is a very active dog that likes to play with children, but much less with other animals, because of its very jealous and exclusive character with its master. It is also very affectionate.
Akita
The Akita is also a Spitz of Japanese origin. Its name comes from the Japanese prefecture, Akita, where the breed was created. Originally intended for hunting large game, such as bear or wild boar, it is now very popular as a pet dog. This breed of Spitz measures between 64 and 70cm at the withers, weighs between 34 and 50kg for females, and between 34 and 60kg for males. It lives on average between 10 and 15 years. The Akita is a very affectionate and protective dog. This Spitz breed will do well in a family with children, and will get along relatively well with other animals, although it can be jealous.
Chow-Chow
The Chow-Chow is characterized by its distended skin that gives it a puffy appearance. This breed also has the particularity of having a bluish colored tongue. The Chow-Chow measures on average 54cm at the withers, weighs between 25 and 32kg for the males and between 20 and 27kg for the females. It has a life expectancy that goes from 9 to 15 years. It is a very good watchdog, with a very calm temperament. He will not be very comfortable with children or other animals, because of his reserved temperament. Of Mongolian origin, this breed is said to be the oldest dog breed in the world. The Chow-Chow was used in the 19th century as a guard dog, but mostly for hunting, where its thick, flexible skin allowed it to turn on its prey, even when bitten in the throat.
Siberian Husky
As surprising as it may seem, the Siberian Husky is a member of the Spitz family. This breed was created a very long time ago (about 2000 years BC), by the Chutches, a people of Pelosiberian origin. The animal was used to protect children and as a sled dog. The Siberian Husky is white on the belly, and black-gray on the back, like wolves. It measures on average between 50 and 60cm at the withers, weighs between 15 and 23kg for females and between 20 and 30kg for males, and its life expectancy is about 13 years. They are very protective dogs but also very independent, and very sociable with other animals.
Finnish Spitz
Of Finnish origin, this is a medium-sized dog (45cm at the withers on average), reddish-brown in color, and weighing from 12 to 14kg for males and 7 to 10kg for females. This breed lives between 12 and 14 years. The Finnish Spitz is a hunting dog that needs a firm education and barks a lot. It is very loyal to its master but tends to be wary of strangers. This breed of Spitz was designated the "Finnish national dog" in 1979.
Norrbotten Spitz
Originally from Sweden, the Norrbotten Spitz was used to hunt ermine for its fur. After the Second World War, furs were no longer in great demand, and this breed became less and less interesting. It was eventually declared extinct. In 1965, however, there were a few Norrbotten Spitzes used as guard dogs or pets by Swedish locals, and in 1967, breeding of this breed resumed, which saved it from extinction. The Norrbotten Spitz measures about 43cm at the withers and weighs about ten kilos. It lives on average from 12 to 15 years. Having origins of hunting dog, it will be of a natural active while being also a very good guard dog. He will be very well suited to a family with children.
Samoyed
This breed of Spitz, of Russian origin, is characterized by its thick white fur, as well as its "smile", with its large mouth often open. The Samoyed comes from Samoyed tribes, reindeer herders of Russian and Siberian origin, who are now called Nenets. The dogs were used as herdsmen, as well as guarding children, and slept with humans at night to provide warmth. The Samoyed is about 55cm at the withers, weighs between 16 and 20kg for females and between 20 and 30kg for males, and lives between 12 and 13 years. They are very affectionate and protective dogs, especially with children. They are also very accepting of other animals.