Pomeranian or miniature Spitz
Other names: Deutscher Spitz, Wolfspitz, Keeshond, Pomeranian, Toyspitz

There are five different sizes of the German Spitz dog, ranging from the smallest, the Toyspitz or the Pomeranian, to the largest, the Keeshond. They are all cheerful, jovial and affectionate but reserved around strangers, which makes them good guard dogs.
They are intelligent and docile, making them easy to train and suitable for many households, especially those with children.
Key facts about the Pomeranian or miniature Spitz
Origins and history
They are very old dogs that descend directly from the Canis familiaris palustris rutimeyer that lived in peat bogs in the Stone Age, and from the Spitz that existed in the Neolithic period in the lake cities. The German names of the different varieties are Wolfspitz, Grosspitz (large), Mittelspitz (medium), Kleinspitz (small) and Zwergspitz (dwarf). The FCI officially recognised the breed in 1957.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 4 : European Spitz
Physical characteristics of the Pomeranian or miniature Spitz
Adult size
Female : Between 7 and 22 in
Male : Between 7 and 22 in
The Wolfspitz measures on average 19 inches, the large Spitz one is 18 inches, the medium Spitz 13 inches, the small Spitz 10 inches and the smallest 8 inches at the wither.
Weight
Female : Between 7 and 44 lb
Male : Between 7 and 44 lb
Coat colour
Each variety is divided into sub-varieties according to their colour.
- Wolfspitz: grey.
- Large Spitz: white, brown or black.
- Medium and small Spitz: white, brown or black, orange, grey and other colours.
- Pomeranian: all colours are accepted.
The white German Spitz and the black German Spitz are not the most common colours but are nevertheless highly appreciated by breed lovers.
Type of coat
The coat is long.
The coat is smooth and dense, a thick undercoat, with a collar around the head and a thick plume on the tail.
Eye colour
Eyes are dark in colour.
Description
The head is reminiscent of that of a fox, with upright and triangular ears; the eyes are almond-shaped and the forehead broad and round. The muzzle is not very long and narrows from the skull to the tip of the nose. The legs are of medium length, well proportioned with the body which fits into a square, and is perfectly perpendicular. The tail is carried gracefully wrapped over the back.
Good to know
Famous historical figures were the proud owners of this much appreciated breed, such as Catherine of Russia, Marie-Antoinette, Mozart, Michel Ange and Emile Zola.
There are a lot of Pomeranian mixed breeds, discover 6 of the most famous ones.