German Spitz
德國施皮茨
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The German Spitz is a single FCI standard covering five sizes — Wolfsspitz/Keeshond, Giant, Medium, Miniature and Toy Spitz/Pomeranian — descended from the stone-age peat dogs and the later Lake Dwelling Spitz, and described by the standard as the oldest breed of dog in Central Europe. All of them share the double coat made to stand off by plentiful undercoat, the mane-like ruff, the bushy tail carried over the back and the foxy head with small pointed ears; heights run from 21 ± 3 cm for the Toy Spitz up to 49 ± 6 cm for the Wolfsspitz, and the standard asks only for "a weight corresponding to its size". It describes a dog that is always attentive, lively and extraordinarily attached to its owner, very teachable and easy to train, neither timid nor aggressive, with indifference to weather, robustness and longevity as its most outstanding attributes.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 18–55cm |
| Breed group | FCI: 5 |
| Role | Companion |
| Coat | Double coat |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
The breed standards this profile is built from don't list breed-specific health screening. Ask a vet which checks suit the dog in front of you.
Behaviour
Attentive, teachable and deeply attached to its owner
The FCI standard repeats a Behaviour and Character section for each size group. For the German Spitz (Giant, Medium and Miniature) it reads: "The German Spitz is always attentive, lively and extraordinarily attached to its owner. It is very teachable and easy to train. Its natural distrust of strangers and lack of hunting instinct make it the ideal companion and family dog and watch dog for home and farm. It is neither timid nor aggressive. Indifference to weather, robustness and longevity are its most outstanding attributes." The Wolfsspitz/Keeshond wording is identical; for the Toy Spitz/Pomeranian the middle sentence instead reads that "its companionable and cheerful character makes it the ideal companion and family dog and watch dog for house and apartment".
One standard, five sizes
Because this key covers the whole German Spitz standard, the stored height range (18–55 cm) is the union across all five sizes: Toy Spitz/Pomeranian 21 ± 3 cm, Miniature 27 ± 3 cm, Medium 35 ± 5 cm, Giant 45 ± 5 cm and Wolfsspitz/Keeshond 49 ± 6 cm. It is not a range any single dog falls in; PocketPaw carries the individual sizes under their own keys.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
FCI nomenclature — Deutsche Spitze (German Spitz) (standard no. 97, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Deutsche Spitze (German Spitz) — FCI standard no. 97 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 97 — Deutsche Spitze (German Spitz), 3.09.2024 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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