German Spitz

The German Spitz () is a breed of spitz-type dogs from Germany. Considered a single breed, it comes in five distinct varieties based on size and colour: the Wolfsspitz or Keeshond, the Giant Spitz or Großspitz, the Medium Spitz or Mittelspitz, the Miniature Spitz or Kleinspitz and the Pomeranian or Zwergspitz ("Dwarf Spitz").
Description.
The German Spitz is a long-haired, double-coated breed of spitz-type dogs, the five varieties vary significantly in size. The breed standard states all variants have a double coat with a long, straight and outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-wool like undercoat.
Wolfsspitz.
The Wolfsspitz (or Keeshond) is a medium sized dog, it usually weighs and the breed standard states it stands ; its coat is grey coloured.
Giant Spitz.
The Giant Spitz is a medium sized dog, it usually weighs and the breed standard state it stands ; its coat can be white, black or brown, black and brown animals can have white spots on the chest, paws and tip of tail.
Medium Spitz.
The Medium Spitz is a medium sized dog, it usually weighs and the breed standard state it stands ; its coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.
Miniature Spitz.
The Miniature Spitz is a small sized dog, it usually weighs and the breed standard state it stands ; its coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.
Pomeranian.
The Pomeranian (or Zwergspitz, "Dwarf Spitz") is a small sized dog, it usually weighs and the breed standard state it stands ; its coat can be white, black, brown, orange, grey-shaded and other colours.
History.
The German Spitz breed is believed to be descended from Nordic spitz-type herding dogs that were the common ancestor to other breeds such as the Samoyed, the Finnish and the Swedish Lapphund. It is believed these Nordic dogs spread throughout Northern Europe and as far as Britain during the Middle Ages with the Vikings, the earliest mentions of spitz dogs in German literature date from 1450 AD. In 1750, Count Eberhand zu Sayre Buffon wrote in his "National history of quadrupeds" that spitz dogs were the ancestor of all German breeds.
German Spitz dogs were originally kept on farms for a number of roles including herding and guarding, as the centuries progressed some lines were bred to be smaller for other duties and eventually as small companion dogs.