German Spitz
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The German Spitz (Template:Langx) is a breed of spitz-type dogs from Germany. It is considered a single breed, with five distinct varieties based on size and colour: the Wolfsspitz/Keeshond, the Giant Spitz or Großspitz, the Medium Spitz or Mittelspitz, the Miniature Spitz or Kleinspitz and the Pomeranian or Zwergspitz ("Dwarf Spitz").
History
The earliest mentions of these spitz dogs in German literature date from AD 1450.Template:R In 1750, Count Eberhand zu Sayre Buffon wrote in his National history of quadrupeds that spitz dogs were the ancestor of all German breeds.Template:R
German Spitz dogs were originally kept on farms for a number of roles including herding and guarding. As the centuries progressed some lines were bred to be smaller for other duties and eventually as small companion dogs.Template:R
Description
The German Spitz is a long-haired, double-coated breed of spitz-type dog; the five varieties vary significantly in size. The breed standard states all variants have a double coat with a long, straight outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-wool like undercoat.Template:R
Wolfsspitz/Keeshond
The Wolfsspitz/Keeshond is the largest variety of Deutscher Spitz, standing some Template:Convert at the withers according to the breed standard. The coat is silver-grey with black shading.Template:R In some English-speaking countries – including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States – the Keeshond and the German Wolfspitz are classed as two separate breeds; weights may be in the range Template:Convert for the German Wolfspitz and Template:Convert for the Keeshond.Template:R
Giant Spitz
The Giant Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs Template:Convert and according to the breed standard stands Template:Convert; the coat can be white, black or brown. Black and brown animals can have white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail.Template:R
Medium Spitz
The Medium Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It usually weighs Template:Convert and according to the breed standard stands Template:Convert; the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours - as well as mixes thereof.Template:R
Miniature Spitz
The Miniature Spitz is a small dog. It usually weighs Template:Convert and according to the breed standard stands Template:Convert; the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.Template:R
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian (or Zwergspitz, "Dwarf Spitz") is a small dog. It usually weighs Template:Convert and according to the breed standard stands Template:Convert; the coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.Template:R