Giant German Spitz (Großspitz)

The history of the Giant German Spitz stretches back centuries. As the name suggests, the homeland of these magnificent dogs is Germany, although their genetic footprint can be found throughout Northern and Central Europe. Historically, they were widespread and extremely popular in Holland, Austria, and Great Britain.

Giant German Spitzes are classic Nordic dogs. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult today to pinpoint their exact origin to a specific year. However, cynologists and historians assume that the blood of ancient “peat dogs” (Canis familiaris palustris) flows in the veins of Spitzes, the remains of which are found at Stone Age human settlements. There is also a theory that the ancestors of these dogs were brought to the territory of modern Germany and Holland by Vikings. This makes the Spitz one of the oldest breeds in Central Europe.

Historically, the Großspitz was not a “lap dog”. It was a working dog for peasants and artisans. It was valued for its versatility: it guarded vineyards from birds and thieves, accompanied carts, and guarded property on barges. A special trait for which they were loved was the lack of prey drive – the Spitz did not run off into the forest after a hare but always stayed near the house or its master.

In 1899, the club for Spitz lovers (“Verein für Deutsche Spitze”) was founded in Germany, and in 1906 a unified standard for Spitzes of all sizes was adopted, specifying the parameters and colours for each. However, over time, fashion changed. In the post-war years, the popularity of Giant Spitzes dropped catastrophically, giving way to Shepherds and Terriers. Today, the Großspitz is listed as an endangered breed (in Germany, this list is maintained by the GEH organisation). Therefore, every owner of such a dog is essentially participating in the rescue of living cultural heritage.

The Giant German Spitz is a medium-sized dog with a square format, meaning the height at the withers is approximately equal to the length of the body. This creates an impression of compactness and strength. Its silhouette is unmistakably recognisable thanks to its luxurious coat and proud posture.

Head and Muzzle

The head of the Großspitz is wedge-shaped and of medium size. When viewed from above, it is widest at the back and tapers in a wedge to the tip of the nose, resembling a fox. The transition from forehead to muzzle (stop) is smooth but clearly defined, never sharp. The nose is round, small, and purely black (dark brown in brown dogs).

Eyes and Ears

The ears are high-set, positioned close to each other, small in size with pointed, rigid tips, and shaped like an isosceles triangle. They always stand vertically, giving the dog a cheeky and attentive look. The eyes are medium-sized, oval-shaped, set slightly obliquely, and dark in colour. The eyelids are black (or dark brown in brown dogs), creating an “eyeliner” effect.

Body and Limbs

The neck is slightly arched, of medium length, without a dewlap; the fur around the neck forms the famous mane (ruff), which is particularly pronounced in males. The back is straight and short, the loin is strong. The chest is very well developed; it is deep and wide, indicating stamina. The limbs are straight, parallel to each other, with developed musculature and strong bone structure. The feet are tight (“cat feet”), with hard pads.

Tail and Coat

The tail is high-set, of medium length, rises immediately from the base and curls into a ring over the back. It is covered with very thick and bushy hair, making the dog’s silhouette complete.

The Spitz coat is double: a long, straight, standoff topcoat and a short, thick, cotton-like undercoat. On the head, ears, and front parts of the limbs, the hair is short and velvety (dense), while on the rest of the body, it is long and rich. It is important to note that the coat should not be wavy or curly. According to the standard, three colours are permitted for the Giant Spitz:

• White: The coat must be pure white, without any yellowing, especially on the ears.
• Black: The undercoat and skin must be dark, and the coat colour must be a lacquered black without white spots or markings.
• Brown: Uniform dark brown colour. Unfortunately, this colouration is currently extremely rare.

The character of the Giant German Spitz is one of the main reasons why owners fall in love with this breed forever. They are self-confident, brave, independent, and at the same time love their master so much that they can become jealous if he suddenly allows someone else to take up more of his time. This is not slavish devotion, but a partnership based on mutual respect.

These dogs are natural-born guardians. They are always on the alert and extremely suspicious of strangers. Especially when strangers are on their territory. Here it is worth drawing a parallel with other German breeds. For example, just like the Giant Schnauzer, the Großspitz is a reliable defender of the perimeter, but acts differently: its task is to loudly warn of an intruder, not to attack first. It works like a living burglar alarm.

Compared to its compatriot, the Standard Schnauzer, the Spitz is less inclined to dominate the owner but can be more stubborn in performing boring commands. However, they always sense when a person treats them well and when they don’t, when to be on guard, and when they can relax a bit.

German Spitzes are very friendly towards children; they are ready to play and mess around with them all day long. These medium-sized dogs are extraordinarily courageous, ready to stand up for their master at any moment. The lack of hunting instinct makes them convenient for walks in the woods and parks – you can be sure that the dog won’t chase after a squirrel, forgetting everything in the world.

It is interesting to compare the Großspitz with its closest relatives. It is calmer and more balanced than the Kleinspitz (Small Spitz), which can often be excessively noisy. At the same time, the Großspitz is more agile and nimble than the Wolfspitz (Keeshond), which has a more massive build. And if we consider the golden mean, the Mittelspitz (Medium Spitz) is very similar to the Gross in character but yields to it in physical strength and guarding qualities due to its smaller size.

When choosing a dog, it is important to realistically assess not only its advantages but also the difficulties you will have to face. The Großspitz is not the ideal dog for everyone.

Giant German Spitzes have excellent, one might say “natural” health. Since the breed hasn’t been overly commercialised or modified by breeding, they have retained a strong constitution. They suffer significantly fewer serious hereditary diseases than many other popular breeds.

However, like all other dogs, they require good care. Here is what you should pay attention to:

• Hip Dysplasia: Although this is a problem for large breeds, it occassionally occurs in Großspitzes. Responsible breeders test parents.
• Eye problems: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) can occur in old age.
• Epilepsy: Extremely rare, but a possible genetic disease in some lines.
• Obesity: Spitzes love to eat. Excess weight harms joints and the heart, so do not overfeed the Spitz.

To ensure Spitzes have strong immunity and remain healthy and active, you need to carefully monitor their diet and lifestyle. They need regular long walks and active games. Don’t forget to vaccinate your pet on time and take them to the vet for routine check-ups.

The Giant German Spitz can live in a flat or in the garden of a private house. Thanks to its coat, the German Spitz can stay outdoors for a long time even in severe frosts, but it is not suitable for keeping on a chain – this is a social animal.

The coat of these dogs is long, fluffy with a dense and thick undercoat – it requires regular, but not overly complex maintenence. The main rule: Spitzes must not be clipped! Clipping disrupts thermoregulation and coat structure, which can lead to alopecia (baldness).

1. Brushing: Several times a week, the Spitz’s coat should be brushed with a soft massage brush with long pins to comb through the undercoat. It is important to brush “from the skin” to avoid mats forming near the body.
2. Shedding period: During shedding (spring and autumn), you will have to brush the dog daily. In addition to a brush, use a slicker brush, but carefully so as not to scratch the skin.
3. Bathing: Frequent washing of German Spitzes is highly undesirable. These dogs are very fastidious; their coat has a unique structure that repels dirt and cleans itself. Furthermore, it has virtually no characteristic doggy odour. If you wash Spitzes often, the coat loses its natural protective layer of oil, dries out, and deteriorates.
4. Paw care: The fur between the paw pads needs to be carefully trimmed to prevent dirt and snow from accumulating there.

Giant German Spitzes are very clever and quick-witted dogs; they learn easily and remember commands well. They occupy quite high positions on the dog intelligence scale. However, they do not accept boring, monotonous training sessions. These dogs need to be interested; they will not monotonously perform the same command 20 times in a row, as a Shepherd would. For a Spitz, this loses meaning.

The German Spitz should derive pleasure from the learning process. Use positive reinforcement methods (treats, toys, praise). Representatives of this breed do not always blindly obey their master, so the most important thing during training is to show patience. Also, you cannot treat a Spitz roughly, otherwise, you will lose control and trust. Shouting and physical punishment will make the dog withdrawn or fearfully aggressive.

Socialisation is critical. From an early age, introduce the puppy to new people, street sounds, and other animals. This will help reduce the Spitz’s natural mistrust and make it an adequate city companion. Also, do not let the Spitz manipulate you. These cute fluffy dogs subtly sense their master’s emotions; the moment you show weakness, you will find that it is you who is on the lead.

The Großspitz, like other dogs, requires complete and balanced nutrition. Since the breed is not as prone to allergies as white Small Spitzes, choosing a diet is usually not difficult, but requires responsibility.

As soon as the puppy appears in your home, you must immediately decide what you will feed it: either natural products or special food. Mixing these two types of feeding is not recommended, as it puts strain on the digestive system.

Option 1: Dry Food

If you don’t have time to cook food for your pet, choose dry food. However, it must be high quality and only “Super-premium” or “Holistic” class. Usually, the food contains all the substances necessary for a dog’s body. Nevertheless, you must look at the composition. The first ingredient should be dehydrated or fresh meat.

Option 2: Natural Diet

The main product should be meat, not porridge. Do not forget that dogs are carnivores; their diet should consist of 60-70% protein food. The meat should not be fatty (beef, turkey, rabbit).

Products should not be subjected to strong thermal processing (frying). You can sometimes add a little fish oil or salmon oil to the food for a beautiful coat. Do not forget that the water in the animal’s bowl must be clean and fresh at all times.

• The Winemaker’s Dog: In Germany,Großspitzes were often called “Wine Spitzes” because they guarded vineyards from those wanting to feast on ripe berries. Interestingly, the Spitzes themselves didn’t eat the grapes and didn’t let the birds do so either.
• Multi-coloured relatives: Historically, puppies of different sizes could be born in a single litter of Spitzes. Only over time did breeders divide them into 5 varieties (from Miniature to Wolfspitz), but genetically they are very close.
• The Spitz Smile: Großspitzes have unique facial expressions. An open mouth, a protruding tongue, and slightly squinted eyes create the full impression that the dog is smiling.
• White – the colour of elegance: White Großspitzes became popular thanks to the English Queen Victoria (although she had smaller representatives, this raised the prestige of all white spitzes), but initially, this colour was considered impractical for peasant dogs.

Does the Giant German Spitz bark a lot?

Yes, Spitzes love to have a bark – that’s their job. They warn of anything suspicious. However, unlike small spitzes, the Gross barks in a deeper voice and, as a rule, only when necessary. With proper training, they learn the “Quiet” command well.

Is the Großspitz suitable for a flat?

Quite so. It is medium-sized and does not take up much space. The main condition is sufficient walking (minimum 2 hours a day in total) and mental stimulation.

Is such a coat hard to look after?

Visually it seems very difficult, but in reality, it isn’t. The coat doesn’t mat as quickly as poodles or lapdogs, thanks to the stiff topcoat. It is enough to set aside 15-20 minutes twice a week for brushing.