24 May Interesting Facts About the German Spitz

The German Spitz is one of the oldest dog breeds that originated in Europe. They are very attentive, energetic and devoted. These dogs have the best characteristics among different dog breeds. Because of their small size, these beautiful dogs can be suitable for apartment living and any type of family. If you want a special, charming, and energetic dog that will alert you to any possible danger and love you unconditionally, the German Spitz is most likely the right dog for you. Spitz has attracted many fans all over the world because of their physique and also the behavioural characteristics they have towards their owner. In the rest of this article, we will introduce you to this lovely dog and his behavioural traits, and we will guide you on how to raise and train a Spitz dog, so stay tuned to the rest of this article.

German Spitz dog characteristics

Spitz dogs are intelligent, happy, lively and energetic that enjoy jumping and standing on their hind legs, especially if they want to catch something. These dogs are very fond of their owner and always seek to make their owner happy and in return, they need their owner to pay attention to them. This lovely dog knows what he wants and how to get it. These dogs start barking when they see strangers, dogs and other creatures and aren’t very interested in male dogs of the same sex.

Although this dog has high intelligence, it’s difficult to train him, and you have to take serious action from an early age to train him, otherwise, he will never obey your commands. If he sees a lot of attention from children, he may get angry and generally has a better relationship with older people. If you intend to take care of a pet dog, these dogs are a good option for you, but be careful not to choose a timid and nervous type.

Compatibility 

Behaviour with children

Spitz dogs are suitable for the apartment environment. They are flexible and have high public relations, and are also considered a good game for children. These dogs have a calm and obedient personality. Of course, it’s better to teach your children to be careful when playing with Spitz because these dogs small, but children may get hurt while playing with them. It’s interesting to know that these dogs have a sensitive spirit and if you pay too much attention to your children, you may make them nervous. These dogs are good friends for your children, but they have a better relationship with adults. 

Compatibility with other dogs

These dogs usually don’t show aggressiveness and easily become friends with other dogs. It’s better to watch out for their behaviour when there’s a breed more giant than a Spitz so that your beloved dog isn’t harmed.

Suitable for apartments

Although these dogs are prone to cold and moderate weather, they are compatible with the temperature of the house and can be kept in the apartment environment.

The amount of their barking

These dogs are usually noisy and bark a lot.

The amount of hair loss

It’s better to know that hair loss is high in these dogs, so you should take care of their health and brush them daily.

Lifespan

Spitz dogs, as we mentioned earlier, are the result of mating this breed with various other breeds. So, it includes a group of dogs, and the lifespan of each dog depends on the type of breed it has. In general, the Spitz dogs live for about 10 to 14 years, but there are dogs of this breed that have a longer lifespan, such as Indian Spitz dogs that live for 16 years.

Nutrition 

Veterinarians have also recommended the amount of food for Spitz dogs to two meals a day in the form of 1.75 to 2.5 cups of dry food. Dogs need proper and healthy food for their growth and health. To feed them, you should pay attention to various things such as their age, because the amount and type of food that a puppy needs is different from an adult dog.

To feed an adult dog, Spitz should be considered according to his metabolism, structure, age and activity level. So, as a dog owner, it’s better to prepare food for them that contains nutrients and can meet the basic needs of their bodies. Instead of giving up food all the time, try to measure the amount of food he needs and feed them according to the schedule.  

Health and diseases

Spitz dogs usually have a healthy body, but this breed, like any other dogs, may suffer from a series of diseases, although not all dogs of this breed may suffer from these diseases. If you keep one of these dogs in your home, it’s better to have enough information about them so that your dog doesn’t get into trouble. In the following, we will mention some of these dog diseases:

Epilepsy

This disease may occur for various reasons such as hereditary or any other unknown cause in dogs. Although there’s no cure for this disease, it can be controlled with the use of medicine and with proper management. So a comfortable and complete life can be achieved for a dog with epilepsy.

Hip dysplasia

This disease in dogs causes the thigh bone to not connect well to the hip joint. The reason is heredity. Those dogs who suffer from this disease may have pain in the hip area, one or both of their hind legs and at the same time, you may not notice any signs of discomfort in your dog. If this disease occurs as time passes, it may also cause arthritis. Fortunately, this disease can be treated using X-ray screening.

Patella dislocation

The kneecap is called the patella, and when the bone of the joint moves out of its place, it’s called dislocation. When the knee joint in a dog is out of place, the dog has a patellar dislocation, which usually occurs in the hind legs and is accompanied by a lot of pain. If this problem isn’t treated in time, it can be crippling for the dog. Some dogs who get this disease continue their normal lives. But if it’s accompanied by severe pain, you should visit a reputable veterinarian and, if necessary, undergo surgery. Other diseases that this dog may suffer from include blood diseases, digestive problems, eczema and short stature.

German Spitz dog training method

One of the reasons why Spitz dogs are popular among many people, including dog trainers, is their high learning ability and intelligence. But if they aren’t trained properly, they will become aggressive creatures with violent behaviour. One of the most important points that should be used in the training of Spitz dogs is to prevent them from barking untimely; Because they have a habit of barking when they see anything. As they grow older and more mature, growling and howling will be added to it. Although this is their instinctive and natural behaviour, it may cause harassment to others. In general, these dogs are intelligent and learn everything quickly. 

German Spitz Dog’s favourite games

Spitz dogs have good talent and are considered smart dogs. For this category of dogs, methods that are accompanied by training and motivation are very useful and practical. Although these dogs are very active and full of energy, they don’t need heavy training programs and exercises. They enjoy walking with their owner very much and are interested in it, so it’s better to dedicate some time of the day to a short walk with him. But when you go for a walk with him, try to keep an eye on him so that no danger threatens him; Because they are very playful and curious and the existence of pits and pools may be dangerous for them. In addition, you can get toys such as balls, play rings, etc. for them by visiting pet shops and providing them with entertainment.

Grooming

• German Spitz has an extensive double coat that sheds twice a year. During these times, in about 2 to 3 weeks, the entire substrate is shed.
• Daily brushing is necessary to remove the remnants of the previous coating; However, his hair will inevitably be on your clothes, furniture, and floors. The good news is that his shedding is minimal for the rest of the year.
• A quick brushing every two days and once a week and thorough cleaning is enough to prevent tangles.
• This breed’s coat should never be trimmed completely, as it will destroy the insulating properties of his coat.
• Also, this breed doesn’t need constant bathing.
• If there is mud on your dog’s cover, let it dry. This mud can be easily removed with a brush.

To wrap up

German Spitz is a dog that is always alert and lively and is extremely devoted to his owner. He’s very easy to train. His distrust of strangers and lack of hunting instinct make him an ideal guardian for homes. Indifference to the weather, stability and longevity are the most prominent features of this breed. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. You can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming in all these steps. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.