Spitz (derived from the German word spitz 'pointed') is a type of domestic dog characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. The tail often curls over the dog's back or droops. While all of the breeds resemble primitive dogs, smaller breeds resemble foxes, while larger breeds resemble jackals, coyotes, wolves, and even dingoes.
The exact origins of spitz dogs are not known, though most of the spitzes seen today originate from the Arctic region or Siberia.[1] The type was described as Canis pomeranus by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revision of Systema Naturae in 1788.[2]
Spitzes are well suited to living in harsh northern climates. They often have an insulating, waterproof undercoat that is denser than the topcoat to trap warmth. Small, upright ears help to reduce the risk of frostbite, square proportions and thick fur that grows on the paws protects the dogs from sharp ice. Many spitz breeds, like the Japanese Akita and Chow Chow, retain wolf-like characteristics like independence, suspiciousness, and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and other dogs, and they require much training and socialization when they are puppies before they become manageable in an urban environment. Some, such as the Karelian Bear Dog, are more difficult to train as companion dogs. Some breeds, such as the Pomeranian, have manes. Several spitz breeds (such as huskies) are bred for one purpose only. However it is common for many spitz breeds (such as the Russian laikas) to be general purpose dogs in their native lands, used for hunting, hauling, herding, and guarding.[3]
Companions and toys
Spitzes, with their thick fur, fluffy ruffs, curled tails and small muzzles and ears, have been bred into non-working dogs designed to be companions or lap dogs. This trend is most evident in the tiny Pomeranian, which was originally a much larger dog closer to the size of a Keeshond before being bred down to make an acceptable court animal.
^Linnaeus, C. (translated and revised by R. Kerr). 1792. The Animal Kingdom; or, zoological system of the celebrated Sir Charles Linnaeus. Class I. Mammalia and Class II. Birds. Being a translation of that part of the Systema Naturae, as lately published with great improvements by Professor Gmelin, together with numerous additions from more recent zoological writers and illustrated with copperplates. J. Murray, London, 644 pp.
^Gest, Jason (January 2016). "What Is a Spitz Type Dog?". Cute Pomsky. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
External links
Media related to Spitz at Wikimedia Commons
March 25, 2023
spitz, other, uses, disambiguation, derived, from, german, word, spitz, pointed, type, domestic, characterized, long, thick, often, white, pointed, ears, muzzles, tail, often, curls, over, back, droops, while, breeds, resemble, primitive, dogs, smaller, breeds. For other uses see Spitz disambiguation Spitz derived from the German word spitz pointed is a type of domestic dog characterized by long thick and often white fur and pointed ears and muzzles The tail often curls over the dog s back or droops While all of the breeds resemble primitive dogs smaller breeds resemble foxes while larger breeds resemble jackals coyotes wolves and even dingoes German Spitz The exact origins of spitz dogs are not known though most of the spitzes seen today originate from the Arctic region or Siberia 1 The type was described as Canis pomeranus by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revision of Systema Naturae in 1788 2 Contents 1 Characteristics 2 Companions and toys 3 Spitz breeds 3 1 Sled dogs 3 2 Hunting dogs 3 3 Herding dogs 3 4 Asian breeds 3 5 Companion dogs 3 6 Extinct breeds 4 References 5 External linksCharacteristics EditSpitzes are well suited to living in harsh northern climates They often have an insulating waterproof undercoat that is denser than the topcoat to trap warmth Small upright ears help to reduce the risk of frostbite square proportions and thick fur that grows on the paws protects the dogs from sharp ice Many spitz breeds like the Japanese Akita and Chow Chow retain wolf like characteristics like independence suspiciousness and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and other dogs and they require much training and socialization when they are puppies before they become manageable in an urban environment Some such as the Karelian Bear Dog are more difficult to train as companion dogs Some breeds such as the Pomeranian have manes Several spitz breeds such as huskies are bred for one purpose only However it is common for many spitz breeds such as the Russian laikas to be general purpose dogs in their native lands used for hunting hauling herding and guarding 3 Companions and toys EditSpitzes with their thick fur fluffy ruffs curled tails and small muzzles and ears have been bred into non working dogs designed to be companions or lap dogs This trend is most evident in the tiny Pomeranian which was originally a much larger dog closer to the size of a Keeshond before being bred down to make an acceptable court animal The Keeshond the Wolfspitz variety of the German Spitz is an affectionate loyal and very energetic pet that was bred as a watchdog for barges hence the name Dutch Barge Dog Often these breeds are recognized for their smiling mouths Other spitzes that have been bred away from working uses are the American Eskimo Dog Alaskan Klee Kai German Spitz Volpino Italiano and Japanese Spitz 4 Spitz breeds EditSled dogs Edit Alaskan husky Origin Alaska United States Alaskan Malamute Origin Alaska United StatesCanadian Eskimo Dog Origin Northern Canada Chinook Origin United StatesChukotka sled dog Origin Russia and Siberia Greenland Dog Origin GreenlandMackenzie River husky Origin Alaska United States Siberian Husky Origin Siberia RussiaSamoyed Origin Northwest Russia and Western Siberia Yakutian Laika Origin the Sakha RepublicHunting dogs Edit Black Norwegian Elkhound Origin Norway East Siberian Laika Origin east of the Yenisei RiverFinnish Spitz Origin Finland Hallefors Elkhound Origin Svealand SwedenHokkaido Origin Hokkaido Japan Jindo Origin Jindo South KoreaKai Ken Origin Japan Karelian Bear Dog Origin KareliaKarelo Finnish Laika Origin Karelia Kishu Ken Origin JapanNorrbottenspets Origin Norrbotten Sweden Norwegian Elkhound Origin NorwayNorwegian Lundehund Origin Norway Pungsan dog Origin North KoreaRusso European Laika Origin European Russia Shiba Inu Origin JapanShikoku Origin Shikoku Japan Swedish Elkhound Origin Jamtland SwedenSwedish White Elkhound Origin Jamtland Sweden Taiwan Dog Origin TaiwanWest Siberian Laika Origin Russia Zerdava Origin Georgia and TurkeyHerding dogs Edit Cardigan Welsh Corgi Origin Wales Dikkulak Origin TurkeyFinnish Lapphund Origin Lapland Finland Icelandic Sheepdog Origin IcelandLapponian Herder Origin Finland Nenets Herding Laika Origin RussiaNorwegian Buhund Origin Norway Pembroke Welsh Corgi Origin WalesSwedish Lapphund Origin Lapland Sweden Swedish Vallhund Origin VastergotlandAsian breeds Edit Akita Origin Akita and Odate Japan Bắc Ha dog Origin Bắc Ha district and Si Ma Cai district Lao Cai province VietnamChow Chow Origin China Donggyeongi Origin KoreaHmong bobtail dog Origin Vietnam Indian Spitz Origin IndiaJapanese Spitz Origin Japan Jeju dog Jeju Island South KoreaKintamani Origin Kintamani Bali Indonesia Nureonji Origin KoreaRyukyu dog Okinawa Japan Shar Pei Origin Guangdong ChinaThai Bangkaew Dog Origin Bang Rakam District Phitsanulok Province ThailandCompanion dogs Edit Alaskan Klee Kai Origin Alaska United States American Eskimo Dog Origin GermanyDanish Spitz Origin Denmark Eurasier Origin Weinheim GermanyGrossspitz Origin Germany Keeshond Origin NetherlandsKleinspitz Origin Germany Mittelspitz Origin GermanyNorthern Inuit Dog Origin United Kingdom Pomeranian Origin Pomerania GermanySchipperke Origin Belgium Tonya Finosu Origin TurkeyVolpino Italiano Origin ItalyExtinct breeds Edit Hare Indian Dog Origin Canada Sakhalin Husky Origin Sakhalin RussiaSalish Wool Dog Origin North America Tahltan Bear Dog Origin British Columbia CanadaReferences Edit Spitz or Northern Group Dog Breeds Archived from the original on 2010 05 15 Linnaeus C translated and revised by R Kerr 1792 The Animal Kingdom or zoological system of the celebrated Sir Charles Linnaeus Class I Mammalia and Class II Birds Being a translation of that part of theSystema Naturae as lately published with great improvements by Professor Gmelin together with numerous additions from more recent zoological writers and illustrated with copperplates J Murray London 644 pp Presberg Carole 2014 Herding Dogs of Asia Russian Siberia www bordercolliemuseum org Retrieved 2022 02 12 Gest Jason January 2016 What Is a Spitz Type Dog Cute Pomsky Retrieved 4 January 2016 External links Edit Media related to Spitz at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spitz amp oldid 1130334171, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
