German Spitz

The German Spitz originated as a farm dog, nicknamed “peasant dog.” Likely descended from Nordic herding dogs, they were brought to Germany by the Vikings. They became popular with royalty in the 18th century. While they have a long history in Europe, the breed likely first came to America in the early 20th century with German immigrant families.

Intense, clever, and adorable, German Spitz dog owners should ideally have a sense of humor for these sometimes defiant dogs. They enjoy owners who are home most of the time, who will engage with them, and who have patience when it comes to training. They can be vocal, so owners should not mind some barking.

German Spitz dogs have a variety of exercise needs depending on their size. They enjoy long walks and need a fenced-in yard as they are curious and are always looking for the next adventure. A bored Spitz can be a destructive and noisy one, so it’s important to prioritize physical and mental stimulation.

German Spitz dogs come in three sizes: toy, medium, and large. None need a particularly large amount of space, but they do need access to the outdoors for walks, free running, and potty time.

Brushing the German Spitz’s coat frequently will keep it knot-free, especially around the ears and elbows. Males shed once a year and females twice a year.

Positive reinforcement will help engage the German Spitz in training. They are intelligent and often need creative motivation to train as they don’t necessarily like being told what to do and when to do it. Socialization is important to build confidence. They can excessively bark, so a good “settle” command should be part of training. They can excel at heelwork, agility, and obedience with good training.

Lively and affectionate, German Spitz dogs can make good family dogs with the right training. They do best in families with older or no children, especially the toy variety, which can be mistaken for a stuffed animal instead of a dog by small children.

The cost of a German Spitz from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.