Spitz dogs are a group of northern breeds with defining characteristics such as a fox-like head, pointed ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. Their dense, double coat protects them from cold weather. Spitzes are known to be loyal and affectionate, but can be independent and difficult to train. Most are gentle, but some of the larger breeds may be too boisterous for small children. Examples of spitz breeds include the Akita , Pomeranian , and Samoyed . The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , Shiba Inu , and Alaskan Malamute .

What do spitz dogs typically look like?

Spitz dogs are a group of northern breeds with distinct features to shield them from the cold. They have a wolf- or fox-like head, erect pointed ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. Their dense, double coat has an outer layer that stands off from the body. The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , Alaskan Malamute , and Finnish Spitz . "Spitz" in German means "pointed," referring to the pointed ears common in these breeds.

Where did spitz dogs originally come from?

Spitz dogs are a group of northern dogs with defining characteristics such as a fox-like head, a thick double coat, erect ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. The name spitz comes from the German word meaning "pointed," referring to the shape of the dog's ears and muzzle. These dogs developed their distinctive traits to shield them from cold weather. Their dense undercoat traps heat, while the outer coat repels water and ice. Even the bottoms of their feet are well-furred. Many spitz breeds are also classified as primitive breeds, meaning they have ancient origins. Some examples of spitz breeds include the Akita, Pomeranian, and Samoyed.

What are some common breeds of spitz dogs?

Spitz breeds are a group of dogs with similar traits, such as a fox-like head, thick double coat, erect ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. These characteristics protect them from cold weather. The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, but there are possibly 50 to 70 distinct kinds. Common spitz breeds include: * Akita * Alaskan Malamute * American Eskimo Dog * Chow Chow * Finnish Spitz * Keeshond * Pomeranian * Shiba Inu * Siberian Husky

How are spitz dogs usually used or what are their traditional roles?

Spitz breeds are a group of northern dogs known for their distinctive physical traits, such as a fox-like head, dense double coat, erect ears, and curved tails. Originating from cold northern regions like Alaska and Siberia, these dogs developed features to shield them from harsh conditions. Historically, spitz-type dogs had various roles aligned with their physical and temperamental traits. Some larger spitz breeds, like the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky , were bred to pull sleds. Others, such as the Akita , were originally bred to hunt bears. Many spitz breeds are also classified as primitive breeds, meaning they have ancient origins. Spitz breeds are known to be loyal and affectionate.

What special care do spitz dogs need because of their thick coats?

Spitz breeds, such as Akitas , Pomeranians , and Samoyeds , need special coat care due to their thick, double coats, which consist of a dense undercoat and a longer outer coat. Without regular care, their dense undercoat can mat. Brush them twice a week, reaching down to the skin, but avoid stiff brushes that can damage the undercoat. Weekly grooming should include brushing the outer coat against its natural direction to fluff it. During their twice-yearly molting, daily brushing is needed, and bathing in warm water can help loosen hair. Breeds with white coats benefit from whitening shampoo. Their coats protect them from the cold but cause them to overheat in hot weather.

spitz

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spitz

dog

Also known as: northern breed, polar

Written by

Caroline Coile

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

What is a spitz dog?
Spitz dogs are a group of northern breeds with defining characteristics such as a fox-like head, pointed ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. Their dense, double coat protects them from cold weather.

Spitzes are known to be loyal and affectionate, but can be independent and difficult to train. Most are gentle, but some of the larger breeds may be too boisterous for small children.

Examples of spitz breeds include the Akita, Pomeranian, and Samoyed. The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, Shiba Inu, and Alaskan Malamute.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Definition of spitz
2. spitz
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What do spitz dogs typically look like?
Spitz dogs are a group of northern breeds with distinct features to shield them from the cold. They have a wolf- or fox-like head, erect pointed ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. Their dense, double coat has an outer layer that stands off from the body.

The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and Finnish Spitz. "Spitz" in German means "pointed," referring to the pointed ears common in these breeds.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where did spitz dogs originally come from?
Spitz dogs are a group of northern dogs with defining characteristics such as a fox-like head, a thick double coat, erect ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. The name spitz comes from the German word meaning "pointed," referring to the shape of the dog's ears and muzzle.

These dogs developed their distinctive traits to shield them from cold weather. Their dense undercoat traps heat, while the outer coat repels water and ice. Even the bottoms of their feet are well-furred. Many spitz breeds are also classified as primitive breeds, meaning they have ancient origins. Some examples of spitz breeds include the Akita, Pomeranian, and Samoyed.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Definition of spitz
2. spitz
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some common breeds of spitz dogs?
Spitz breeds are a group of dogs with similar traits, such as a fox-like head, thick double coat, erect ears, and a tail that curves over their backs. These characteristics protect them from cold weather. The American Kennel Club recognizes 16 spitz breeds, but there are possibly 50 to 70 distinct kinds.

Common spitz breeds include:
* Akita
* Alaskan Malamute
* American Eskimo Dog
* Chow Chow
* Finnish Spitz
* Keeshond
* Pomeranian
* Shiba Inu
* Siberian Husky
5 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How are spitz dogs usually used or what are their traditional roles?
Spitz breeds are a group of northern dogs known for their distinctive physical traits, such as a fox-like head, dense double coat, erect ears, and curved tails. Originating from cold northern regions like Alaska and Siberia, these dogs developed features to shield them from harsh conditions.

Historically, spitz-type dogs had various roles aligned with their physical and temperamental traits. Some larger spitz breeds, like the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, were bred to pull sleds. Others, such as the Akita, were originally bred to hunt bears. Many spitz breeds are also classified as primitive breeds, meaning they have ancient origins.

Spitz breeds are known to be loyal and affectionate.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What special care do spitz dogs need because of their thick coats?
Spitz breeds, such as Akitas, Pomeranians, and Samoyeds, need special coat care due to their thick, double coats, which consist of a dense undercoat and a longer outer coat. Without regular care, their dense undercoat can mat.

Brush them twice a week, reaching down to the skin, but avoid stiff brushes that can damage the undercoat. Weekly grooming should include brushing the outer coat against its natural direction to fluff it.

During their twice-yearly molting, daily brushing is needed, and bathing in warm water can help loosen hair. Breeds with white coats benefit from whitening shampoo. Their coats protect them from the cold but cause them to overheat in hot weather.
1 Britannica Source
1. spitz: Care and upkeep
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

spitz, any of a group of northern dogs—such as the Akita, Pomeranian, and Samoyed—characterized by a wolflike or foxlike head; a dense, double coat in which the outer coat tends to stand off from the body; erect, pointed ears; and tails that curve over their backs.

These traits were developed to shield these breeds from the cold. The dense undercoat traps body heat and insulates the dog from the outside temperature, while the stand-off outer coat repels water and ice, keeping it away from the body; the ears are small, thick, and covered with fur to insulate blood vessels from the cold and prevent frost bite; the bushy tail covers the face and nose when the dog is sleeping, curled in a ball, to warm inhaled air. Even the bottoms of their feet are well furred. Many spitz breeds are also classified as “primitive breeds,” meaning they have ancient origins.

There are a number of dogs known as spitz, and in the United States the name is often given to any small, white, long-haired dog, such as the American Eskimo Dog. The American Kennel Club claims there are between 50 and 70 distinct spitz breeds, though the club officially recognizes only 16, including the Siberian Husky, the Shiba Inu, the Alaskan Malamute, the Chow Chow, the Finnish Spitz, and the Keeshond.

Various retriever dog breeds sitting in a row. L-R: curly coated retriever, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, duck tolling retriever, flat coated retriever. hunting sporting dogs

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Care and upkeep

Most obviously, spitz breeds are hairy, and owners concerned about maintaining a hair-free environment would be wise to consider a different kind of dog. The typical spitz coat consists of a very dense undercoat and an outer coat made up of longer hair. Depending on the breed, the dense undercoat can mat unless regularly combed down to the skin; the brush should not be too stiff, as it can damage the undercoat and possibly shred the outer one.

Often sufficient is a twice weekly brushing and a weekly grooming, in which the outer coat is brushed in the opposite direction to which it lies, thereby fluffing the coat and causing it stand away from the body. During their twice-yearly molting periods, shedding is very heavy, and the dogs may need daily brushing. These breeds do not need regular bathing; bathing in warm water may also loosen hairs that are about to be shed, hastening this process during the shedding season. The white spitz breeds often look best if washed with a whitening shampoo.

These breeds require no special health care as a group, although individual breeds may have some specific concerns. Their erect ears tend to be healthy; their nails should be clipped every other week and their teeth regularly brushed.

Most spitz breeds are moderately energetic. They need about an hour of daily exercise, although this will vary by breed. Smaller breeds, such as Pomeranians, can achieve their exercise needs in less than an hour and even inside an apartment; larger spitz breeds, especially those bred to pull sleds, will need to cover as much as a mile before slowing down.

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Group Data

Other name: Northern breed
Area of origin: Cold northern regions including Alaska and Siberia; often ancient in origin
Breed group: Varies by breed, including Working, Toy, Hound, and Non-Sporting groups
Height at withers: Varies from the Pomeranian at about 6–7 inches (15–18 cm) to the Alaskan Malamute from 23–25 inches (58–64 cm)
Weight: Varies from the Pomeranian at 3–7 pounds (1–3 kg) to the Alaskan Malamute at 75–85 pounds (34–39 kg)
Lifespan: Varies from 12–16 years for smaller breeds such as the Pomeranian to 10–14 years for larger breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute
Did you know? “Spitz” in German means “pointed,” referencing the pointed ears common in these breeds.

Because of their heavy coats and origins, these breeds enjoy cold weather, especially snow. They can overheat in hot weather.

Temperament

Spitz breeds tend to be loyal and affectionate. They can also be adventurous and mischievous and may be too independent for some owners; some spitzes can be difficult to train. Most are gentle and trustworthy around people of all ages, but some of the larger ones can be too boisterous for small children. While some of the larger breeds can have a strong prey drive, most all of them can get along well with other dogs and cats if raised with them; some spitzes may be suspicious around strangers. Some of the breeds bark more frequently than others. Owners concerned about barking should research the individual breeds.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breeds. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

Caroline Coile

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Care and upkeep

Temperament