While the small and medium varieties of the German Spitz (Pomeranian, Kleinspitz (Miniature or Small Spitz) and Mittelspitz (Standard or Medium Spitz), Keeshond) were more common among common people in the Middle Ages, the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) , with its impressive and elegant shape, found its way into the homes of the noble and middle classes. The Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) white enjoyed great popularity even among representatives of the English nobility. He "German Spitz» was also able to make a name for itself in America and was supported primarily by German immigrants. In the course of the negative image of Germany after the 1st World War, the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) was renamed "American Eskimo»

The Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) black, on the other hand, used to be more common in the vineyards of Baden Württemberg. His excellent wakefulness instinct was a great help to the winegrowers in keeping off the grape thieves, both animals and humans, away from the valuable vines.

According to Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen e. V. (Society for the Conservation of Ancient and Endangered Breeds of Domestic Animals), to the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) Today it is considered endangered. Over the years 2000 to 2002, for example, there was only 11 Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) blacks in Germany and 38 white dogs. To preserve this breed of enterprising and cheerful dogs, there are initiatives to mate the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) whites and blacks among themselves and to cross them with the Mittelspitz (Standard or Medium Spitz) and the Keeshond.

The Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) is characterized by its special double layer. The long straight top layer looks very bushy due to the thick, padded undercoat and stays away from the body. Particularly striking is the strong horsehair fur collar and the bushy tail that curls over the back. The fox head with the agile eyes and the pointed ears, small and narrow give this Spitz its characteristic appearance.

With a shoulder height of up to 50 cm and a weight of 15-20 kg, the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) is the second largest representative of the German Spitz after the Keeshond. It breeds in the colors black, White and Brown.

The males and females of the category «Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) » They are very similar in weight and size. But, the male representatives of the breed mostly appear heavier and larger. This is due to the fact that their coat is slightly longer and therefore appears more voluminous than that of female dogs..

The Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) needs a lot of movement and exercise. So, long walks and running games and slides should always be on the agenda. It also, dog sports such as agility, obedience or tracking can bring additional variety to the dog's life and make optimal use of the breed.

Breed-specific character traits

The Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) He is very affectionate by nature and would like to accompany his family everywhere.. Staying home alone does not suit them at all and can make dogs experience their grief intensely. As a rule, the more attention and affection a Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) , more comfortable feels. That's why they like to be with the family, since they also get along very well with children. But, of course, every four legged friend, no matter how sociable I am, he also needs his rest. It is important that all members of the family respect these phases, which are usually quite rare with the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) . Thanks to his kind and loving character, many representatives of this breed of dog are also suitable as therapy dogs.

Although I do not necessarily suspect it at first glance, the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) it is also extremely robust and weather resistant. Due to its distinctive protective instinct, they are also considered ideal guardians for the house and yard. But, without proper training, can become a very barking dog. Through an appropriate workload for each species, good socialization and a consistent but loving upbringing, desirable behavior can be encouraged, that is to say, "don't bark".

Get enough attention and feel well integrated into family life. As they have almost no hunting instinct, they are usually relatively easy to train and can be recommended for beginners. But, it is important to inform yourself widely about the breed and its requirements beforehand.

Like all the other spitz, to the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) likes to be in contact with children and loves to play with and protect them. So, fits well in a lively little family, in which there is always something to do and much to discover.

So that the Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) can exercise your favorite activity as a watchdog, The ideal would be to keep it in a house with a patio and garden. If the four-legged friend moves regularly and has mental problems, you can also consider keeping it in a city apartment, as long as there are enough opportunities for exercise nearby.

• FCI CLASSIFICATION:
• Group :
• Section : . .

Use:

Guard and companion dog.

General appearance:

TheSpitzThey attract attention for their beautiful separated fur with the presence of a very dense undercoat.. The neck surrounded by an abundant mane and the tail covered with long hair is striking., turned up and spread boldly on the back. The head is similar to that of the fox with diligent eyes and small pointed ears. The ears, placed very close to each other, confer toSpitzhis characteristic relaxed appearance.

important proportions

Proportion of 1:1 between the height at the withers and the length of the dog.

TheGerman Spitz is constantly attentive, is active and exceptionally dependent on his master. Learn quickly and can be trained easily. His distrust of strangers and his lack of interest in hunting allow him to be considered the ideal watchman for the house and farm.. Its most notable characteristics are its resistance to weathering., its robustness and longevity.

Head:

• Skull: The skull ofSpitzis medium-sized; viewed from above seems to swell back becoming more narrow wedge shaped to the tip of the nose.
• Depression links (Stop): Little steep until marked, but never abrupt.

facial region:

• Truffle: Round, small, black; in all theSpitzbrown in color is dark brown in color.
• Snout: Not very long, Neither coarse nor pointed; It presents a good proportion in relation to the skull (in the Spitz type Keeshond/Wolf, in the large Spitz and medium Spitz the ratio snout/skull is approximately 2/3, in the small Spitz and in theSpitz enano/Pomerania is approximately 2/4).
• Lips: They are not hanging; they are well bonded and do not form folds in the corners. They are black in all colours, in theSpitzbrown in color are brown in color.
• Jaws/Teeth: The jaws are normally developed and show a complete scissors bite with 42 teeth, That is, the upper incisors fall closely in front of the lower incisors., teeth being implanted perpendicular to the jaws. InSmall and dwarf spitz/Pomeranian the loss of a few promolars is tolerable. A pincer bite is allowed in all varieties ofSpitz.
• Cheeks: The cheeks are slightly round and are not prominent.
• Eyes: The eyes are medium-sized, elongated, a little oblique, dark colored. The eyelids have black pigmentation in all color varieties and are only dark brown in theSpitzof brown variety.
• Ears: The pointed ears in the shape of a pointed triangle are small and rather closely placed together.. Its inclusion is high. They always remain erect with a rigid tip.

Neck:

Body:

• top line: The top line begins at the tip of the erect ears and passes in a gentle arc over the short, straight back.. The deployed and with abundant fur tail partially covers the back and rounded silhouette.
• Cross/Back: The high cross falls imperceptibly on the short back, straight and strong.
• Pork loin: Short, wide and strong.
• Rump: The rump is short and wide, unexpired.
• Breast : Deep chest, well arched; the apron is well developed.
• Bottom line and belly: The chest is expanded as much as possible back; the abdomen is moderately retracted.

in the

Tail:

Tips

Former members

• As a whole: Straight, large on the front.
• Shoulder: The scapula is long, placed backwards at an angle. The arm, showing almost the same length, with the scapula forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees. Shoulders with good musculature are closely linked with the chest.
• Arm: Medium length, robust and fully straight on the trunk, covered with long hair in the form of pen in the posterior region.
• Elbows: The elbow joint is strong, close to the chest without bending inward or outward.
• Metacarpus: The Metacarpus strong and medium length, forms an angle of approximately 20° in relation to the perpendicular line.
• Front feet: The front feet are as small as possible, round, compact, as cat with well arched toes feet. Pads and nails are black in all varieties of Spitz, and they are only dark brown on brown dogs.

Later members

• As a whole: The hindquarters are very muscular, covered with very long hair up to the Hock joint. The hind limbs are straight and parallel to each other..
• Thigh and leg: They have approximately the same length.
• Knee: The knee joint is strong, slightly angled and, during the movement, It does not twist outward or inward.
• Metatarsus: Medium length, very strong, maintains a position perpendicular to the ground.
• Rear feet: The hind feet are as small as possible, round, with toes well arched and together, as cat feet. Pads are hard. The color of nails, pads is much darker.

Movement:

Mantle

Skin

The skin should be well attached to the body, without kinking.

Fur

TheSpitzThey have a double coat covered with hair: the outer layer is long-haired, straight and separate and the inner layer is short-haired, dense and woolly. The head, ears, anterior surface of the forelimbs and hindlimbs and feet are covered by short, dense hair (velvety). The rest of the body is long and abundant hair. The hair should not be wavy, chino, or form hair, You must not present a stripe on the back. A thick mane covers the neck and shoulders. The rear face of the forelimbs has hair in the form of feathers. The hindquarters should be covered with long hair from the rump to the Hock joint. The queue must be covered with hair is long and abundant.

Color

• Wolf Spitz/Keeshond: Grayish.
• Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) : Negro, brown, white.
• Mittelspitz (Standard or Medium Spitz): Negro, brown, white, orange, grey, other colors.
• Kleinspitz (Miniature or Small Spitz): Negro, brown, White Orange, grey, other colors.
• Spitz enano/Pomerania: Negro, brown, white, orange, grey, other colors.
• Black Spitz: The fur of the black Spitz should be dark in the skin as well as internal NAP and the color of the outer layer should be jet black color without any white spot.
• Brown Spitz: The Brown Spitz should have a uniform dark brown color.
• White Spitz: The hair should be pure white, no yellowish tones that can often occur in the ears.
• Spitz anaranjando: The Orange Spitz should have a single uniform colour in the average range of the RAL (Registration International of the color scale).
• Greyish Spitz/Keeshond: Gray is understood as grey silver with black hair tips. Snout and ears are dark. Around the eyes there is a drawing in the shape of glasses consisting of a delicate black line. (It extends from the outer corner of the eye to the lower part of the inclusion of the ear) or in broken lines and shading that draw short eyebrows, but expressive. Mane and ring shoulders are a tone clear. The anterior and posterior members are grey silver unmarked black below the elbows and knees, except delicate stripes on your fingers (pencilling). The tip of the tail is black. The lower part of the tail and the buttocks are grey Silver clear.
• Spitz other colours: Under this description all tones are included as: cream-coloured, cream-saber, anaranjado-Sable, black with tan and stained. The spotted must have a white background color. Black stains, brown, gray or orange should be distributed throughout the body.

Size and weight:

Height to the cross

• Wolf Spitz/Keeshond: 49 cm ± 6 cm..
• Grossespitz (Giant or Large Spitz) : 46 cm ± 4 cm..
• Mittelspitz (Standard or Medium Spitz): 34 cm ± 4 cm..
• Kleinspitz (Miniature or Small Spitz): 26 cm ± 3 cm..
• Spitz enano/Pomerania: 20 cm ± 2 cm. (are undesirable specimens measuring less than 18 cm.).

Weight

Any variation in the size of theGerman Spitz must have a corresponding variation in its weight.

Fouls:

Any deviation from the above criteria is considered missing and the seriousness is considered to the extent of the deviation to the standard.

Serious misconduct

• Defects in the Constitution.
• Head too flat or sharp Apple-shaped.
• Truffle, eyelids and lips of flesh-colored.
• Defects in the premolars in Wolf Spitz/Keeshond, Medium and large Spitz.
• Eyes too big or clear or very outgoing.
• Defects in the movement.
• Absence of classic drawing of the face inSpitzgrey.

ELIMINATING fAULTS

• Aggressive or fearful dog.
• Open fontanel.
• Upper or lower prognathism.
• Entropion or ectropion.
• Floppy ears.
• White spots visible on allSpitznon white.

Any dog ​​showing clear signs of physical or behavioral abnormalities should be disqualified..

Males should have two normal-appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum..