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Basic Description: In Europe, Spitz-type dogs were associated with the hunter gatherers of the first stone age, going back some 6000 years, but if we want to look for
the origin specifically of the German Spitz, we turn to it's immediate forebear, the Turfspitz (canis familiaris palustris). In the Northern German plain that stretched from the
Rhine to Vistula in the east and covering most of Denmark, was a very swampy area. People living in this area had to build their houses on stilts above the swamps and
were buried in, what today has turned into peat-bogs. The remains of people and their dogs have been excavated from these peat-bogs and the dogs are believed to be
the forerunners of the Wolfspitz. They were all in a remarkable state of preservation. There is evidence that people living from Bodensee, in Germany, to L.Ladoga (east of
Leningrad) kept these dogs and, because house-dogs and herders were of the greatest use to non-nomadic people, it is believed that they set out to deliberately breed
out the hunting instinct that characterizes dogs of nomads. Any one owning a Spitz could argue that they were only partially successful unless compared to the likes of the
Beagle or Afghan breeds.
Prior to 1871 Germany did not exist in its present form, but consisted of small kingdoms, princedoms and dukedoms, whose boundaries, especially the further east
they traveled, were constantly changing. It is not surprising to find that different countries developed different Spitz to suit their own needs. All of them came under the
general name of "Mistbeller," a word which sounds charming to an English ear but which actually translates to "dung-hill barker." They were invariably dogs that would
stand on top of the dung heap and bark.
In England the breed became popular in the 18th Century. When Queen Anne died in 1714, the great grandson of James 1 came to the throne. He was of course the
elector of Hannover, better known as George 1. His wife was German and his descendents also married German aristocrats bringing German visitors to the English court
to visit. They brought with them the forerunners of today's German Spitz which became very fashionable and were know as "Pomeranians" as they were believed to
originate from a place called Pommern. They did not resemble the breed known as a Pomeranian today however as they were much larger in size.
The decline of the breed in the UK is believed to have begun due to the First world war and along with many other German breeds went rapidly out of favor in the
wave of patriotism that swept the country at this time.
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Note: Any Club that wishes to provide a better quality description of this breed is invited to contact the web master.
Your assistance in making this a useful site is greatly appreciated. Also, if corrections or additions are found, please let me know at once.
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American Kennel Club Link
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Canadian Kennel Club Link
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National Rescue Group Link(s)
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Local Club contacts below if listed here
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Additional Information on local Clubs (Obedience, Agility etc.) and Rescue groups can be found under their respective heading in the Content section.
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Breed Fanciers that have agreed to share their knowledge of this breed.
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Would you like to be listed here – go to Invitation and if you agree with the simple requirements – WE WANT YOU –
then go to Fancier Questionnaire and fill out the form. The form is sent directly to the webmaster.
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