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GERMAN SPITZ |
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Besides the three traditional uses for the Nordic breeds, herding, hunting and hauling, spitz have become popular throughout the world as utility and companion dogs. Countries from all over the world have developed their own form, all of which are still similar to one another. The Pomeranian
has developed separately and divergently with its own standard. These
dogs are more refined and have an exaggerated coat. They closely resemble
their cousin the Spitz, but are a breed of their own.
With the Pomeranians
of the show ring becoming smaller and smaller, many English fanciers lamented
the demise of the larger specimens. In fact, Pomeranian show classes for
"over 7-pound" dogs had been discontinued in the 1940s. British
breeders Janet Edmonds and Averil Cawthera brought in several Klein and
Mittel German Spitz from the Continent in the mid-1970s, although they
were registered as Poms in England and used in Pomeranian breeding programs.
With the desire
to re-establish the larger type Spitz, a special arrangement was created
with the Kennel Club of Great Britain. For a six-month period in 1985,
any Pom with one or more of four imported Spitz dogs in their pedigrees
could have their registries switched to that of German Spitz. After this
initial six-month period, the stud books were closed to any further double
registration. From this beginning, the German Spitz has been re-established
in Great Britain and is now an official breed there.
Breeders say that these dogs are most adaptable, happily accompanying owners on a 30-mile walk or cuddling in front of the fire. They, are described as being much like a young child, anxious to please—yet also wanting their own way and knowing how to obtain it. A structured family order exists among these breeds, with the youngest adult delegated to play with the puppies. Like so many of the other northern breeds, the German Spitzes are happy and buoyant, displaying charming smiles and seeming to laugh with you—or at you. They are excellent junipers and like to stand on their hind legs to beg or to show off. They should never show any nervousness or aggression, being always equable and confident. The alert, watchful personality, needed long ago with the herds, is retained and now suits the watchdog and companion. The German
Spitz breeds descend directly from the profusely coated Nordic herding
dogs, like the Samoyed or the Lapphund, that are so common in the
North. They were probably brought to northern Germany and Holland
by Viking plunderers and looters who plagued those areas during the
Middle Ages. These dogs spread throughout Europe and even the British
Isles, contributing to the development of the true herding and shepherd
breeds, as well as being the progenitors of the Spitz.
The Spitz
was mentioned in German literature and history as early as 1450. Count
Eberhand Zu Sayre Buffon wrote in his 1750 National History of
Quadrupeds that he believed the Spitz to be the ancestor of all
domestic breeds. At the end of the 17th century, citizens of Pomerania
were raising a large white Spitz, and those in Wurttemberg had black
and brown varieties to watch over their farms and possessions.
These original
Spitz dogs have evolved into several sizes and a bouquet of solid
colors. Today, the FCI recognizes five varieties based on size. The
Wolfspitz, the largest and in gray only, is a similar type to what
became the Keeshond in Holland. The Giant is not really a giant, compared
to some of the flock guards or mastiffs, and is reminiscent of a small
Samoyed or a Lapphund in white, chocolate or black. Standard and Small
Spitz, in a wider variety of colors, became much-loved companions
with the more recent development of the tiny toy to satisfy the demand
for an apartment or lap-sized Spitz. These breeds are popular in Germany
and well known throughout Europe, but have not reached North American
shores.
The Small
Spitz was imported to England from Germany (Pomerania) over 100
years ago and adopted the pseudonym Pomeranian. It was a favorite
of Queen Victoria and was occasionally called the Victorian Pom.
Gainsborough admired the German Spitz and captured its beauty
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