One dog with a lot of history is the German Spitz. This is actually one of the oldest breeds to originate from Europe. They are full of life, as well as being very adorable. This small canine could make your house a home. Let’s learn more about the unique needs of the German Spitz to see if this is the right dog for you to have in your home.
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What Can I Expect from the German Spitz?
The German Spitz is a very old breed. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that this furry friend was around in the 1450s. Count Eberhard Zu Sayn of Germany mentioned that the German Spitz was a loyal and brave pooch. Years later, fishermen would have a German Spitz and take them on boats. They would make fantastic watchdogs since they can be vocal for a small pup. This led to them also being used on farms. Thankfully, although this canine almost became extinct, they started to become popular again after World War One.
You can expect the German Spitz to be a small pooch at around 12 to 15 inches in height. They are also lightweight at around 21 to 29 pounds. The common coat colors for the German Spitz include black, white, brown and orange. They have a double coat, which can be good for keeping them warm and comfortable in wet and cold weather. When you have a happy and healthy German Spitz, they can live to around 13 to 15 years old.
Do They have a Good Temperament?
The German Spitz is a loving and fun family dog that is going to love being the center of attention. They are known to be small dogs that love to remain active and play with toys, whether this is chasing a ball at the park or going hiking. The German Spitz is intelligent and they can be obedient when they are training from an early age.
There are some German Spitz dogs that are stubborn. This is something to realize when you adopt this pooch. Thus, you will need to be a consistent and confident owner so that you can overcome this problem. Training your pooch may take some extra time. But if you are able to make training sessions fun and rewarding, you should be successful.
The German Spitz is also known to be a vocal canine. This is particularly true when it comes to strangers. While this can make your beloved companion a good watchdog, it can become yappy and irritating. Again, training is going to be the best solution for this problem, as well as early socialization with strangers.
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Ask a Vet Live NowDo They need a lot of Exercise?
You may be surprised to hear that the German Spitz needs a lot of exercise. Despite their size, this furry friend has high energy levels. You will have to work hard during the day to keep your pup entertained. This means at least 40 minutes of physical exercise every day. This is going to be best split into two daily walks. In particular, the German Spitz is going to need active outdoor time and play sessions to train their energy. For example, they are going to love playing fetch at the park.
It is important to realize that the German Spitz does have a high prey drive. Therefore, it will be essential that you train your German Spitz when they are going to be off leash. This is going to avoid them chasing after wildlife and lower the risk of them going missing. It is also going to make your walks a lot more enjoyable together.
Do They need a lot of Grooming?
Let’s not forget that the German Spitz has a double coat. You can expect them to have a short undercoat, as well as a long topcoat. Together, this means that you are going to have to brush your furry friend three or four times every week. This is going to keep their coat soft and shiny. It is also going to avoid knots and tangles that can become uncomfortable for your pup. In particular, around the chest and neck can become really fluffy and any matting that develops can be bad for your pooch.
The good news about the coat of the German Spitz is that they can adapt to winter weather and when the temperature drops. All of their fur is going to keep them warm and they are suited for cooler climates. However, in the summer months, you will have a responsibility to keep your canine cool. You can do this by always having fresh water and walking your German Spitz at times in the day when the temperature is lower. Normally, this is early in the morning and in the evening when the sun goes down.
Where can I find a German Spitz?
The German Spitz can make your family complete. This wonderful pooch will bring a lot of love and excitement to your household. So, if you want to find out here to find a German Spitz, we are going to tell you.
First of all, head to your local animal shelter. There are going to be a lot of fabulous canines here looking for their forever home. You can visit and ask about the dogs, as well as have the opportunity to meet them. While they will not be the most popular pup to find in shelters, it is not impossible to find one here.
There are rescue organizations online where you may find a German Spitz. You may have to travel for your canine, but it can be an affordable and rewarding way to adopt a pooch. You can also look on the Internet for any owners that are looking to re-home their German Spitz. Ask questions to find out more about the dog.
If you would like a German Spitz puppy, you can always purchase one from a breeder. It will be important to find a breeder that has experience and that is well-known. This way, you can enjoy peace of mind and know that you are not supporting a puppy mill. Always make sure that you ask a lot of questions, including seeing the parents of your German Spitz puppy.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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