This adorably small dog was once used as a circus dog. It’s a member of the spitz family as it descends from the European Spitzes. The white German spitz and the white Keeshond are two of the breeds it descends from. This breed was commonly seen throughout circuses in the 19th century. Trick dog acts are easy for this breed to do as their agile structure and intelligence allows them to do a number of flips.
The German Spitz is among the oldest dog breeds in Europe. The term German Spitz can either be used to describe a separate breed or certain Spitz varieties including the Keeshond, the American Eskimo Dog or the Pomeranian. Spitz-type dogs have compact, long bodies, usually with shorter legs. They tend to have wedge-shaped, fox-like heads with pointed muzzles and erect, triangular ears. Their tails tend to curl over their backs. Spitzes can come in different colors, usually white, black or cream. Grooming spitz breeds can be quite high maintenance due to their abundant coats.<br><br> This is a small to medium sized dog that comes in three sizes, toy, miniature, and standard. The Miniature American Eskimo comes around 12-15 inches and 10-17 pounds. They do require proper feeding to prevent obesity. If the dog is overfed and they become obese, they can struggle to live a long, healthy life.
Personality
German Spitzes are sociable, friendly and affectionate. They enjoy human companionship. Spitz breeds usually need quite a lot of exercise in the form of daily walks or vigorous games. They tend to be heat intolerant because of their thick coats. German Spitzes can sometimes be independent or temperamental. They are protective but usually not aggressive.<br><br> The Miniature American Eskimo is intelligent and friendly. They make for excellent companions as they are protective of their home and family, but they are still kind and loving. They are eager to please their owners, and they will need training to help them use their agility. They are perfect for families as they stay close by, and often alert homeowners if there is a crying baby. This breed is known for worrying about a child that is crying, and will fuss over the child until the parents will take notice of the issue.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 – 16 years |
| Nicknames: | Eskimo Spitz, American Spitz, American Eskimo Dog (miniature), Miniature American Eskimo |
German Spitz Build Information
The German Spitz is among the oldest dog breeds in Europe. The term German Spitz can either be used to describe a separate breed or certain Spitz varieties including the Keeshond, the American Eskimo Dog or the Pomeranian. Spitz-type dogs have compact, long bodies, usually with shorter legs. They tend to have wedge-shaped, fox-like heads with pointed muzzles and erect, triangular ears. Their tails tend to curl over their backs. Spitzes can come in different colors, usually white, black or cream. Grooming spitz breeds can be quite high maintenance due to their abundant coats.<br><br> This is a small to medium sized dog that comes in three sizes, toy, miniature, and standard. The Miniature American Eskimo comes around 12-15 inches and 10-17 pounds. They do require proper feeding to prevent obesity. If the dog is overfed and they become obese, they can struggle to live a long, healthy life.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
German Spitzes are sociable, friendly and affectionate. They enjoy human companionship. Spitz breeds usually need quite a lot of exercise in the form of daily walks or vigorous games. They tend to be heat intolerant because of their thick coats. German Spitzes can sometimes be independent or temperamental. They are protective but usually not aggressive.<br><br> The Miniature American Eskimo is intelligent and friendly. They make for excellent companions as they are protective of their home and family, but they are still kind and loving. They are eager to please their owners, and they will need training to help them use their agility. They are perfect for families as they stay close by, and often alert homeowners if there is a crying baby. This breed is known for worrying about a child that is crying, and will fuss over the child until the parents will take notice of the issue.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
This breed needs daily brushing to keep their hair clean. You need to bathe them on a regular basis to keep their skin clean and their mane free of dirt. Their coat does shed often, requiring you to vacuum often. They are a loyal dog, and require your love to keep feeling happy and content with their life.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
German Spitz Common Health Conditions
The Miniature American Eskimo needs plenty of love throughout the years for their survival. They will be able to live 16 years, making them a hardy breed. There are genetic issues with some of the breeds, making it important to talk to breeders to find out the health history of the parents. Hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and progressive retinal atrophy are some of the common health ailments they have if the dog is bred from unhealthy parents. Allergies are the most common health issues they have, and some can have dental problems if their teeth are not cared for correctly.
German Spitz Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
While the American Eskimo is known for their ability to pull heavy loads through snow, the miniature American Eskimo is built much smaller. This adorable dog is small to medium sized and has a bright white coat with jet black lips, nose, and eye rims. Its erect triangular ears make it stand out among smaller breeds. This breed will require daily exercise, making it important for owners to get out and take them for a walk.
| Training: | Easy to train |
