Group: 5
Height at the withers: 

 - a) Wolfspitz/Keeshond           49 cm +/- 6 cm

 - b) Giant Spitz                        46 cm +/- 4 cm 

 - c) Medium size Spitz              34 cm +/- 4 cm 

 - d) Miniature Spitz                   26 cm +/- 3 cm 

 - e) Toy Spitz/Pomeranian        20 cm +/- 2 cm

Dogs under 18 cm undesirable. 

Weight : Each variety of German Spitz should have a weight corresponding to its size

Coat and color: long straight hair, thick underhair; black, white, brown, orange and wolf-gray.
Diffusion: only the small sizes are ound in Italy.
Life expectancy: 14 to 18 years.
Character: vivacious, affectionate, reserved but non-aggressive.
Behaviour with children: very positive.
Habits: guard dogs and companions.
Living space: is able to live in apartments as long as it can do daily exercise.
Feed: from app. 70 to 400 gm. of complete food per day in accordance to size.
Grooming: regular brushing and dry shampoo.

Origin and History

Known, once upon a time, as “Loulou”, the Spitz have long lost this name.
Around the same time they also practically became unknown; unfortunately, because this race of dog doesn’t merit it: it is a breed which exudes success and evokes admiration. Let’s just look at him: a wolf’s head and his lush coat make him stand out. Then consider his character – lively, alert, impetuous even, and always affectionate.
Without doubt the Spitz are the oldest domestic dogs, in fact they were man’s companions in peopling the lake villages of prehistoric Europe. The ancestors of the Spitz, some ten thousand years old, were the ancestors of all present-day wolf-like or primitive canids in the fifth group of cinophile glossary.
Spitz, especially the smaller sizes have a renowned history as companions and were especially appreciated by some of the great men of letters and the arts. Both Mozart and Michelangelo owned one. Another was the favourite of Josephine, Empress of France. The small ones, then called Loulou of Pomerania, were immensely sought after. But it was the English, most especially the Royal Family who gave these small dogs their moment of glory. In the Eighteenth Century George III was enamoured of these dogs, but it was Queen Victoria who started an irresistable passion which lead to the reknown and also the miniaturusation of the breed. After a trip to France in 1888 she returned with Gona, a white wolf (Italian wolf). Her Majesty was so much in love with this dog that she established kennels where only this breed was raised. Indeed, she fixed the weight at between 5.5 and 7 kg.
Meanwhile the Germans claimed this breed was theirs alone. In fact, since 1899 they had decreed that the Spitz was German. In 1960 the International Cinophile Federation was brought into 5the affair and declared itself for Germany.
Now, that they’re all gathered together in one group, withone standard for all five breeds and one unique and official origin, the Spitz are finally a coherent group, with an identity that is easily recognisable even by dog-lovers who are not experts and the public at large can now fully appreciate the qualities of this marvelous dog because, whatever it’s size, it’s always a fantastic friend. Colors and sizes may differ but it’s always the same dog: a dog that has travelled with Mankind down the centuries. This is a guarantee of their quality!

Behavior

But who is Spitz ? In German “spitz” means sharp or pointed, and this captures our dog’s character! It is curious and mischevous; it loves children and is always ready to play ball or run with the kids. It doesn’t matter how long it plays; this dog won’t suffer. They’re very long-lived – from fourteen to eighteen years. Unlike other Nordic dogs, Spitz don’t have the tendency to run away from. They’re far too attached to their home to leave it ! They really do have a strong 
sense of duty which translates into a devition to guard the house rather than leave it for a run in the garden.
Another very important aspect of their character, which they share with other dogs in their group, is their relationship with other dogs: they are very self assured but never aggressive. 
They’re never over-awed by larger dogs which try to put them down. Even the smaller breeds have a more than ordinary courage. Does the Spitz like to travel ? Sure ! Your car is his car and taking him on holiday is never a problem.
The Spitz is also very obedient towards his teacher and is particularly adept at understanding what you’re trying to teach them. They have a very developed intelligence and don’t like to be understimulated. They can invent the most extraordinary games if their owner doestn’t provide sufficiient stimuli. The Spitz is also a very tranquil fellow. He may appear to be agitated, noisy, a pain, but this is only on the surface. He must be taught seriously and becomes a very attentive and receptive student. Healthwise, the Spitz doesn’t require particular attention. Robust, he rarely gets ill and needs to pay a visit to the vet. He is not so much a gourmand as a gourmet Your Spitz doesn’t require costly foods – just as well because you have to avoid the obesity which would ruin his figure.
His coat earns a fortune for dog grooming businesses? Not at all! It needs little, though regular attention (see grooming).
So the Spitz is the ideal dog ? Sure ! It may not be so today as it was in the past but it could well be in the future especially for whoever appreciates beauty, strength of character and gentleness can’t help but appreciate Loulou.

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