German Spitz: description and recommendations for the content

German Spitz is a popular breed of decorative dogs. This lively, active pet is very attached to its owner. But despite its friendliness, the animal is not suitable for all people.

German Spitz are breed, which has a long history. This animal has become the progenitor of many other species of this dog. An ancestor of the Spitz is considered an extinct peat dog. His homeland - Germany, it was there that the animal got through the Vikings in the tenth century BC. Despite the fact that after some time the representatives of this breed have gained popularity in many parts of Europe, their name remains the same.

For the first time in writing about the animal mentioned in the XV century, describing it as a small animal, guarding the peasant housing. Gradually, the German Spitz began to appear in the society of aristocrats. Queen Charlotte - the first noble person, who was the mistress of the dwarf dog. Since this woman was loved and respected in society, her pet began to enjoy no less popular. In 1900 there was a meeting of connoisseurs of these dogs, after which they founded the Spitz-club, which adopted the first standard of this breed.

The German Spitz was a favorite of Martin Luther, Marie-Antoinette, Mozart, Empress Catherine, Ludwig Richter. Dogs of small size have always performed well as a guard and informed their owners about the approaching guests. In addition, the spitz well coped with the role of a shepherd, assisting a person in grazing sheep and cows. Spitz with brown and black color was used to scare off birds in the vineyard.

There is information that many centuries ago the German Spitz were inhabitants of the yards of the poor. This animal fiercely protected the compound and it was not characterized by voracity. Later these advantages of dogs were evaluated by aristocrats and dogs began to be used to protect plantations, manors, and drive away predators. Two centuries ago, white spitz began to enjoy great popularity among the rich strata of the population, and brown and orange individuals a little less.

A cute and funny appearance, combined with a playful character - this is what made a German spitz pet. This breed belongs to the ancient, it includes a large number of representatives of different subspecies that are characterized by certain sizes, biological features.

Spitz dogs running on a leash look like fluffy balls. The exterior features of dwarf, small, Wolfspitz and Sphinaria are almost the same, their difference lies in height and weight. Each of the subspecies is characterized by a long straight hair, which has a thick undercoat. The ratio of body length to its height is 1 to 1. The muzzle of the dog is not characterized by excessive elongation, it can be bearish or fox-like.

The muzzle near the nose is always colored black. Pet ears are small in size, they are triangular in shape and set straight.The representatives of this breed have strong and wide breasts, the back is even and wide, but does not drop to the tail, like in other dogs.

Fluffy tail, set high and twisted in the form of a ring. The eyes of the animal are oblong, sometimes rounded. The organs of vision are slanted, the iris is colored dark, and the eyelids are black and brown. The pet's jaw is well developed, the neck is wide with a bulging neck. This breed has rather strong bones, muscular limbs and round legs with dense pads.

The shape of the Spitz is quite harmonious. By standard, the animal has the following characteristics.

• Weight An adult dog can be between 1,500 and 30,000 grams, often a bitch smaller than a dog.
• Growth at the withers of a mini-spitz is 22 cm, but for a representative of a large species - up to 55 cm.
• Lifespan The animal is between 12 and 15 years old. However, there are cases when pets lived to be 20 years old. This is affected by the conditions of detention, food, care.
• Color animal can be very different. According to the standard, black spitz should have a uniform color, on a spotted dog spots should be characterized by uniformity on a white background.

German spitzs are lively and mobile animals, they always take part in noisy amusements, various games, active walks with their owner. If a person is absent, the pet behaves calmly, patiently, it does not break down and does not destroy everything that is nearby only from boredom. Such a pet does not impose itself; it waits for the time when it will be led to walk. The mini-spitz does not show gullibility to strangers, therefore this dog is not only a sensitive caretaker, but also a very noisy lodger.

The owner should remember that these animals should be planted with good manners from an early age, while the person should be firm and persistent. Otherwise, the German Spitz will be an uncontrollable, groundless barking, capricious and stupid creature that attacks passersby and other animals.

Spitz believe wonderful companion, as he is able to understand the feelings and experiences of the owner. Pet easily transfers trips and flights. If the animal feels, then the person is in danger, then he is able to boldly rush to his defense, despite the large dimensions of the enemy.

A small representative of the fauna can be not only a sofa dog, but also a nurse for a small child, he never snaps at his pranks. The animal is playful and energetic up to old age and it is very important for him to have contact with the owner. It is important for a pet that he was paid attention, walked with him, stroked, were near. The spitz is a smart, quick-witted and rather balanced dog.

The dog attracts attention with the help of barking, jumping and running. The animal loves long walks, swimming, games. This sensitive creature remembers how it is treated, for this reason you should not physically punish the dog or bring it up roughly. When an animal grows old, it manifests anxiety, the pet hardly endures separation from a person, it begins to whine, bark, and withdraw into itself.

The generally accepted canine standards state that the following types of color are characteristic of the German Spitz:

• Wolfspitz has a wolf color, as well as various shades of gray;
• large representatives of the breed are black, brown, white;
• medium and dwarf dogs painted black, white, chocolate, red, orange, cream.

The wool of a black German pet should be uniform, usually lacquered in her, without any stains and inclusions. Puppies can be brown or gray, but after the process of molting their fur will become saturated black. If the descendants of the animal had a different coat color, then perhaps the spitz, which was born black, after shedding, will change the coat color. Such a phenomenon is not considered marriage.

The standards state that the white German spitz should not have any impurities of other colors on the fur coat. A puppy of such an animal is also born snow-white. If there are dogs with a different color among the descendants of a baby, it is possible that after molting his fur will become creamy. The most popular with dog lovers are red spitz-dogs that look like miniature chanterelles.

Orange pet puppies can be light red or characterized by the presence of an orange tint on a mostly gray background. To determine the color of the animal in adulthood, you can look at the fur behind the ears. It is this color that the dog will have after molting. According to the standard, a pet with red or orange fur should be characterized by a uniform color.

The shoulders and the fluffy mane of the dog have a light gray color, but the limbs are often silvery. Dark strokes may be present above the fingers, the tip of the tail is colored black, and the "pants" - gray. The perfect Wolf coloring fur is characterized by German Wolfspitz. Other popular colors of German Spitz include the following:

• cream color can be warm and cold;
• the red sable fur of an adult pet has a black and red color in childhood;
• black and tan;
• color with a white base.

With proper care at home, German Spitz live for about 14 years. Despite the fact that this breed of dog has a strong immunity, their existence can reduce some of the ailments. They have no inclinations to genetic diseases, but such health problems may arise.

• Subluxations of the knee joints and weakness in the limbs. The reason for this condition of the animal is obesity, pregnancy, jumping. The owner should be wary if the dog is lame, there is a crunch and there are pains when bending the paws. For preventive purposes, the spitz should be given drugs that contain calcium, but only after consulting a veterinarian.
• Dental diseases. The pet's teeth of this pet are characterized by the presence of elongated roots, therefore, when changing them, problems often arise. In such situations, it is worth contacting a doctor to remove teeth. In addition, the German Spitz can form stones on them, which are eliminated by a veterinarian. To prevent and preserve the health of the animal's teeth, it is worth cleaning them regularly.
• Diseases of the organs of sight. Such diseases are often traced in representatives with bulging eyes. Inflammation and secretion may be due to wind, dust, or excessively dry corneas.
• Digestive system problems. The spitz can be observed dysbiosis and obesity. For the normal functioning of the digestive tract, the dog must be given fermented milk products.
• Cough occurs in pets due to the structure of the larynx. Constantly bending down, the animal tries to cough up a supposed foreign object from the throat.Spitz cough is common in games, food and water consumption, and also when overexcited. It is possible to assist the animal by gently stroking its throat.
• Stunt. At a certain point in the life of the pet, growth stops, this happens due to the cessation of the production of a special hormone. This disease can occur with increased fontanelle. Puppies with similar characteristics slowly adapt and socialize. When stopping growth is to turn to professionals.

Animals need timely vaccination such an event will help to avoid or more easily transmit infectious diseases. Significantly reduce the immunity of the animal can worms, from which you need to be treated promptly.

Experienced dog lovers recommend Do not overfeed German Spitz, because, despite the active lifestyle, this dog may be overweight. With a long absence of walks, the dog begins to feel bad, his immunity suffers, which leads to health problems.

At the beginning of dog breeders difficulties may arise in the preparation of the diet for the purebred pet, which eats in small portions. Canine recommended to keep a spitz bowl of water in a clean state and regularly fill it with clean fresh water. For a miniature spitz that weighs 2500 grams, enough 0.15 liters of water per dayunless conditions suggest anything unusual. The daily volume of drinking fluid should be increased for puppies, nursing females and working pets.

Changing the diet, the type of food is phased and neat, it will take from 15 days to 2 months. This time will be enough for the animal to adapt to the new type of food. Food German Spitz should be regular and carried out at the same time. Pet feeding must be dosed. A dwarf dog that weighs 2500 grams should be given about 80 grams of food at a time, if the pet is overfed, then 50 grams will be enough.

If the German Spitz lives actively, then the rate can be increased to 120 grams. The diet should be balanced and complete, the main place in it should belong to the protein. A dog weighing 2500 grams requires 50 grams of fish, cottage cheese, meat per day. The rest of the food is cereals and vegetables.

In order for food to be biologically safe, you must perform the following activities:

• wash the pet's dishes every time after eating;
• meat that was under the direct influence of the sun's rays, as well as food that was not completely eaten, should be thrown away;
• wet food should be stored in the refrigerator;
• You should not give the animal products that look doubtful.

Puppies, as well as adult German Spitz, prefer protein foods. If the owner decides to feed the dog homemade food, then the diet should contain such products:

• eggs, cheese, meat, fish;
• cereals in the form of buckwheat, rice, oats, millet;
• vegetables in finely chopped form: carrots, beets, zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, greens;
• salt, minerals, coal, limestone.

Puppies of German Spitz, which have just been taken away from the mother or from the nursery, must be fed according to the instructions offered by the breeder. Toddler is from an early age to teach a balanced diet.

The first 6 weeks of the young need to be fed 6 times a day. The first feeding is carried out at 6-7 in the morning. The interval between meals should be 3, 5 hours. In the diet of puppies should be present in large quantities of dairy products. When the baby is 12 weeks old, it can be transferred to 5 meals a day, at the same time the interval between meals should increase by 40 minutes. Gradually, the frequency of feedings should be reduced and reduced to two times per day. Formed in a small dog nutrition schedule should be maintained for subsequent years.

The most popular feeds include the following.

• Pro Plan Small & Mini Adult Optidigest. This product is premium class. Food is considered the most suitable for miniature dogs with sensitive digestive systems. The basis of the product is the meat of lambs, as well as rice, prebiotics, corn, fiber.

• "Eukanuba Adult Toy Breed". 32% of this product is a protein from poultry meat. The components of the feed include prebiotics, vitamins, fatty acid, and L-carnitine. This composition assists in the regulation of dog weight.

• Acana Adult Small Breed - holistic, which contains 60% of animal proteins. Carbohydrates of fast type are presented in the form of algae, alfalfa, cranberries. This composition allows you to maintain an optimal weight of the pet.

Sometimes the spitz requires a feed change. To hold such an event is necessary for the following signs:

• the puppy has become an adult dog;
• during pregnancy or after sterilization;
• food allergy, which is expressed in diarrhea, scratching, discharge from the ears, the presence of a rash on the skin;
• inferiority of food, which can manifest itself in alopecia, dull hair, claw fragility;
• presence of excess weight;
• need for a therapeutic diet.

Since German spitz have a tendency to obesity, their diet should be monitored. If a pet gains 300 grams more than its normal weight, then it can cause cardiovascular diseases. Homemade food before serving the pet should be properly prepared:

• meat products should be scalded or given raw;
• offal and fish boil;
• steamed or raw vegetables;
• greens give finely chopped;
• remove fish and meat from fish and meat.

An example of the diet of the German Spitz for 7 days.

After the German Spitz is 7 years old, it should be transferred to feeding dry food for old dogs. Vitamins, polyunsaturated acids, glucosamine should be added to food. If the elderly animal has become inactive, then the owner should make the portions of the pet smaller or reduce their caloric content. Pregnant female Spitz should be fed three times a day or more. The amount of food should be increased due to protein, not carbohydrates.

If a pet carrying a puppy lives on dry food, then he can be given an industrial product intended for puppies. Provided that the bitch feeds on homemade food, she should add more vitamins, vegetables, dairy products to the diet. Vitamins are not added to dry food.

German Spitz, like any other dwarf dog, requires care. Before a new resident appears in the apartment, it is worth securing the premises. A dog should be treated like a small child. In this case, you need to perform such activities:

• lift wires, cables to a height from which the baby cannot reach them;
• close the gap behind cabinets, sofas or expand them;
• secure the balcony;
• remove unstable and fragile items, for example, vases, columns;
• eliminate slipping floors;
• collect all small objects so that the animal does not swallow them;
• hide chemicals;
• move the bin so that the puppy does not overturn it during research;
• check the premises for drafts that may cause a puppy's illness.

To keep the content of a small German Spitz right and not harm its health, you can listen to such recommendations.

• We must learn to properly hold a puppy, for this it is worth asking advice from a breeder. In the first month of life, the baby’s muscular system is poorly developed, so it is taken with two hands, placed on one of them with the breast held. It is worth holding a pet tight, as it can break out and fall.
• Provide a long sleep for your puppy, which is very important for a growing organism. A well-sleeping dog will be playful and active.
• Do not leave the Spitz at a height, for example, on a sofa or stool. Jumping animal can injure and injure itself.

A puppy that will later become an adult representative of the German breed, should have his own place where he will sleep and rest. It should not be located in the dining room or living room, near the balconies and radiators. The spitz sleeper should be located in a corner where he will be comfortable and calm, for example, in the master bedroom. It is not worthwhile to invite a pet to your bed, as he can get used to it, and weaning for such a dog will be quite painful.

To the puppy slept in comfort, he should buy special basket or carrying with a mattress. The device with the sides will be safe for the baby. In order for a pet to get used to it faster, you can put treats or toys inside. Installing a cage for the spitz will not be superfluous, provided that the owner is absent for a long time. It should be located lounger, a bowl of water, items for entertainment.

The toilet is the easiest shop tray, which is ustile waterproof diaper. When an animal appears in the house, you should immediately teach it to the toilet. At first, the owner will have to plant the animal on his own until he gets used. Not only spitz puppies, but also adult dogs need toys.

Pet toys need to be updated periodically, it will bring joy to the baby. Items for entertainment made of plastic are quite dangerous, their purchase should be abandoned, as well as rubber and having metal elements. The best option would be special accessories for dogs or old children's teddy bears. German Spitz is a fun and active pet, so he needs to communicate with other dogs. It is strictly forbidden to cancel a walk with a pet, if the weather is bad.

The first walk should last about 15 minutes. Walking the spitz need twice a day. If the baby does not have enough physical exertion, then he will begin to romp in the room. With regular walks, the spitz will relieve themselves while walking.Such procedures have a positive effect on the pet's metabolism, its circulation, attentiveness and the ability to learn.

The breed of German Spitz is characterized by an attractive and showy coat. Its length and pomp requires special care. The main molt of a pet happens when growing up, as well as that of a female after the birth of puppies. During the rest of the time, molting in an animal is carried out moderately. The representative of this breed needs to be combed twice for 7 days.

For combing fur Spitz necessary such accessories:

• a large soft poukhoderka, which has a rubber base;
• two combs, one of which is with rare teeth, and the second is thick with metal ones;
• scissors that have blunt ends.

To avoid the formation of koltunov, combing your baby should constantly with the help of a pooderhok. The procedure is also necessary before bathing, while combing should be carried out from the hair root. It is not recommended to comb the dry fur, it is better to sprinkle it with water beforehand. It is necessary to bathe the thoroughbred pet as required and at pollution. It should be done no more than once a month. At the end of walking, you should just wash the baby's feet or wipe them.

When molting dogs do not swim. When water procedures should use high-quality shampoos designed for dogs with long hair.

After bathing, you can rinse the dog's fur conditioner, so that combing is easy. In the process of taking a bath, it is worthwhile to close the ears of a doggie with cotton swabs. After completing the bathing, it is worth removing them and rubbing the hearing organs. Drying wool can be done with a hairdryer while simultaneously combing.

Due to the peculiarities of German Spitz wool, the host can cut it as he pleases. A shorn pet can look like a lion, a fox, a bear cub, bows and butterflies can be fastened to the fur. According to generally accepted standards, the fur should be shortened to a minimum.

Cutting the hair of an animal should be done in such a way that the correct shape of the coat is obtained. The procedure starts from the head and ends on the tail. In the process it is necessary to constantly comb the baby to avoid the appearance of protruding hairs.

Also, the owner of this breed of dogs should not forget about the care of his ears. Due to the fact that the organs of hearing in the Spitz are straight, their purification does not bring labor. Diseases of the ears of the pet occur rarely, so they can be cleaned without the use of medications. The ears of the animal must always be clean and well maintained.

In long-haired dogs, which are characterized by a bulge of the eyeballs, there are problems with lacrimation. The reason for this situation may be the ingress of dust and dirt in them. It is worth taking care of the eyes of a spitz every day, for this purpose they are wiped with dry napkins or cotton wool disks. If you find purulent discharge should immediately visit the vet.

Cutting off pet's claws should be done every 2 weeks. In winter, the procedure can be carried out more often, since in summer claws are ground with asphalt. In order to painlessly cut the claws of the spitz, the owner should prepare a nail clipper, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs and treats.

German spitzs are endowed with intelligence and ingenuity, so their potential should be directed correctly so that the pet does not become problematic and disobedient. As soon as he crosses the threshold of your house for the first time, it is worthwhile to begin to educate and train him, while establishing strict subordination.

The animal must know where its place is, and go to it after the order. Spitz is trained in the form of a game, practicing each of the teams until the desired result is achieved. He does not create problems in training, because he loves to please his master.Screaming at the dog, and even more so to beat her is strictly prohibited. In the process, the dog is given encouragement, favorite toys and speak tender words. German Spitz is a great companion that looks pretty cute, but it also has self-confidence and leadership skills, so you should not forget about its education.

To learn how to train a German Spitz, see the following video.