{"id":104916,"date":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-13T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/?p=104916"},"modified":"2025-11-27T15:41:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T13:41:49","slug":"medium-german-spitz-mittelspitz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvaryny.com\/en\/breed-german-spitz-medium-mittelspitz","title":{"rendered":"Medium German Spitz (Mittelspitz)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Medium German Spitz (Mittelspitz)<\/strong> is a true bundle of energy wrapped in an elegant fluffy coat. Cheerful, lively, and active, these dogs make wonderful companions for the entire family, from the youngest to the eldest. Members of this breed don’t just tolerate children; they genuinely love spending time with them, eagerly joining in on all their mischief. They are affectionate and good-natured, getting along easily with other pets, whether cats or other dogs. Thanks to their compact size, they are ideal for families living in smaller city flats where space is at a premium. Find out more at Tvaryny<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its volume, their coat has almost no characteristic “doggy” smell, even when wet – definitely a huge advantage for people with sensitive noses. Another historical feature of these dogs is their ringing voice. While a loud bark might annoy neighbours in a block of flats, it is part of their nature. However, with proper upbringing and an understanding of dog psychology, the Spitz will use it only for its intended purpose – to warn owners of strangers approaching, acting as a reliable “living alarm system”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medium German Spitz (Mittelspitz): A Brief Breed Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Characteristic<\/strong><\/td>Data<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Origin<\/strong><\/td>Germany (Central Europe)<\/td><\/tr>
First Mention (Standard)<\/strong><\/td>1898-1899<\/td><\/tr>
Life Expectancy<\/strong><\/td>12-15 years (often reaching 16-18)<\/td><\/tr>
Height at Withers<\/strong><\/td>30-38 cm (according to updated FCI standard)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/strong><\/td>7-11 kg (depends on height and bone structure)<\/td><\/tr>
FCI Group<\/strong><\/td>Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types)<\/td><\/tr>
Purpose<\/strong><\/td>Companion dog, watchdog<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

History: From Peat Dog to Modern Mittel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The homeland of the Spitz is Germany, though the roots of this breed group go much deeper into history. It is believed that their direct ancestors were the so-called “Peat Dogs” (Canis familiaris palustris), remains of which are found in Stone Age pile-dwelling settlements. This makes the Spitz one of the oldest forms of domestic dogs, retaining their primeval appearance almost unchanged. They are not the result of complex selective breeding or crossing dozens of breeds – they are a natural, aboriginal type of European dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, Mittelspitzes are mostly bought as sofa companions, Instagram stars, and loyal friends for park walks. But in the past, they had a very different purpose. They were the working dogs of peasants and artisans (“the commoner’s dog”). As watchdogs, thanks to their ringing bark and incredibly sensitive hearing, these dogs provided timely warnings of strangers or wild animals approaching their owners’ homes, vineyards, and pastures. They had no right to make mistakes or sleep on the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, unlike herding dogs, the Spitz lacks a hunting instinct – this was a crucial requirement for selection. A dog guarding the courtyard shouldn’t run off into the woods after a hare or strangle the farm chickens. That is why modern Mittels feel so comfortable next to other small animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official recognition came later. In 1899, the “Verein f\u00fcr Deutsche Spitze” club was established in Germany, where the first standards for the “Spitz” breed were developed. It was then that the division of dogs into different size categories began to preserve the diversity of the population – from miniature to large representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Mittelspitz Looks Like: Detailed Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Mittelspitz is a compact dog with a square build that radiates confidence and dignity. A “square build” means the dog’s height at the withers is approximately equal to the length of its body. This gives the animal excellent manoeuvrability and endurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head and Muzzle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The head is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped, resembling a fox. This is one of the breed’s trademarks – a cunning, intelligent “foxy” expression. The transition from forehead to muzzle (stop) is smooth but clearly visible, not abrupt. The muzzle is of moderate length, not too sharp, but not “blunt” either. The nose is small and round. A pure black nose is desirable, although in brown dogs, it may be dark brown to harmonise with the coat colour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyes and Ears<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ears are small, triangular, set high and close together. They always stand vertically with stiff, pointed tips, giving the dog a constantly alert look. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped or slightly oval, and dark in colour. The eyelids are black (dark brown in brown dogs) and fit tightly, preventing the frequent inflammation typical of breeds with droopy eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body and Limbs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The neck is of medium length, dry, without a dewlap, slightly arched at the nape. The main decoration of the neck is the fur, which forms a luxurious, fluffy collar resembling a lion’s mane. The back is short, strong, and perfectly straight. The chest is well-developed, deep, and of moderate width. The tail is the pride of the Spitz. It is of medium length, set high, and curled in a ring over the back, lying firmly against it. It is covered with very long, fluffy hair, creating a pom-pom effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The limbs are straight, parallel to each other, with strong bone structure. Joint angles are moderate, providing the dog with light, springy movement. The paws are small and round (“cat paws”), with toes arched and tight, and claws are strong, often black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coat Type and Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spitz has a double coat. It consists of long, straight top guard hair that stands off the body, and a short, very dense, cotton-like undercoat. It is the undercoat that “holds” the guard hair, creating that voluminous silhouette. On the muzzle, ears, and the front of the legs, the hair is short, dense, and velvety to the touch. Lush “trousers” form on the hind legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mittelspitz Colours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The colour palette of the Medium Spitz is impressively diverse. The standard allows for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n