What is the difference between a German Spitz and a Pomeranian?

The Pomeranian has the same body structure and fluffy double coat of larger Spitz sizes but weighs no more than 7 pounds. While the FCI includes the Pomeranian as a type of German Spitz, the AKC categorizes them separately.

Is a German Spitz a good family dog?

Yes, the German Spitz is considered a good family dog because of their devoted and playful nature. Chaput says these dogs frequently love attention from children. Nevertheless, always keep an eye on interaction between dogs and young children, especially those who aren’t experienced with dogs .

How much does a German Spitz puppy cost?

A German Spitz puppy can cost about $3,000, as litters are rare in the United States.

Do German Spitz dogs bark a lot?

Yes, German Spitz dogs do bark—some more than others. They are known to be very alert of their surroundings, so barking is part of the breed.

German Spitz

Updated September 9, 2026

With glowing reviews for their pep and personality, the German Spitz is a lively companion. Pick your size: These pooches come in large, medium, or small varieties—and, luckily, that fluffy double coat of fur isn’t as demanding as it looks. They also have a sharp mind, so exercise and training are a must.

Temperament

Perky, Affectionate, Smarty Pants

Weight

Small: 10–11 pounds

Medium: 15–25 pounds

Large: 30–50 pounds

Height

Small: 8–11 inches

Medium: 12–15 inches

Large: 16–20 inches

Life Expectancy

15–17 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

Black, Black and Tan, Brown, Cream, Orange, Red, White, Wolfgray, Gray, Parti-Color, Sable

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Looking for a polite pup to join you for shopping, errands, or dinner al fresco? The German Spitz has the resume for the job. These eye-catching dogs look like little foxes—and with consistent, positive training, they can be adaptable, well-mannered companions ready for wherever you take them.

They love to play the part of the doting, loyal companion, and these intelligent dogs are often alert to what’s happening around them. Time spent training can go a long way in curbing excessive barking, whether you’re home or away.

German Spitz Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Barking Tendencies

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

German Spitz Appearance

“Spitz” comes from the German word for “pointed,” and when you look at these dogs, it’s easy to see why the name stuck. The German Spitz is perhaps most easily recognized by their pointy ears and wedge-shaped muzzle.

Ears
German Spitz dogs have small, triangular ears that sit erect on top of the head.
Eyes
The almond-shaped eyes are light to dark brown in color.
Nose
The wedge-shaped muzzle ends in a small nose that is typically black, although brown German Spitz dogs will have a brown nose.
Coat Length
A short and thick undercoat is covered by a long, straight outercoat of fur.
Coat Color
Accepted coat colors for large German Spitz include white, black, brown, and parti-color. Medium and small Spitz share all of the same coat colors, along with the possibility of orange, grey-shaded, cream, black and tan, black and silver, or sable coats (in shades of cream or orange).
Tail
The medium-length tail is characteristically fluffy and curls over the back.

German Spitz Temperament

The German Spitz has roots as a guardian dog and vermin hunter, but these dogs have found their calling as personable companions.

While every dog is an individual, a well-trained Spitz is known for having good manners and an affectionate, loyal demeanor with family members, including children. With strangers, they may be wary at first, but tend to warm up once they’ve had a chance to get to know you.

“My favorite explanation of their temperament came from a German who said, ‘Well, he has a very nice restaurant temperament,’” says Patrea Pabst, breeder and president of the German Spitz Club of America.

That restaurant-ready mannerism doesn’t come naturally to a German Spitz—they’re known for their big, vocal personalities. But with positive reinforcement training and a good bond with their people, many learn (and love) to tag along for a quiet meal out.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the German Spitz

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How to Care for a German Spitz

A German Spitz is not an especially high-maintenance dog breed, but you will need to devote time each day for exercise, coat care, and fun, interactive training exercises. In return, you’ll have a polite and polished pup who will attract attention wherever you go.

Despite looking like a (very cute) puff ball, the double-coated German Spitz isn’t overly demanding when it comes to grooming.

Consistency is key to avoiding matting. Plan on brushing these dogs at least every other day to remove loose hair, and daily when they shed their coat twice a year. You can also enlist the help of a professional groomer every 8–12 weeks to keep the coat trimmed and your pup bathed.

Never shave a German Spitz, Pabst says. Their coat provides insulation against hot and cold weather, and protects their delicate skin.

Other regular care needs for a German Spitz include daily tooth brushing to prevent tartar buildup and nail trimming as needed—usually every month or two. Pabst says it’s also a good idea to trim excess hair from between the paw pads in addition to nail trims. If you’re not confident about caring for your Spitz’s feet, enlist a groomer’s help.

A German Spitz is clever and eager to learn, so training can be fun and rewarding.

On the flip side, if you leave these dogs to occupy themselves, you might not be pleased with the results. “They can be creative escape artists and destructive if bored,” Pabst says. Good news: positive reinforcement training isn’t just about teaching good manners—it’s also a great outlet for minds with energy to burn.

Give your Spitz chances to put their smarts to work with a handful of 5- to 10-minute training sessions every day. Focus on basic cues or teaching your pup new tricks. Spitz dogs are very food-motivated, so training treats can help keep your dog focused and engaged.

Socialization matters just as much as daily training when it comes to raising a well-rounded Spitz. They can be standoffish with strangers, so early and frequent exposure to new faces and places can help them feel more comfortable.

The German Spitz can be a good fit for first-time dog parents, largely because of their devotion to their people and their willingness to learn. Kristina Chaput, breeder and secretary of the German Spitz Club of America, has seen new pet parents succeed with the breed as long as they understand the Spitz’s care requirements and are prepared to put in the work.

Your German Spitz will thrive when fed a balanced, quality dog food formula. Choose a diet that is nutritionally complete for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior), and meets the recommendations set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Your vet can help you pick the best dog food.

It’s generally best to feed an adult German Spitz dog two meals a day, following the portion guidelines provided on the dog food label. German Spitz puppies often benefit from more frequent feedings to help stabilize their blood sugar levels:

For puppies under 4 months of age, offer smaller, more frequent meals four to five times each day.
When your Spitz is around 6 months old, talk to your vet about reducing meal frequency.

Keep fresh water available for your dog at all times.

Most German Spitz dogs will gladly accept treats as positive reinforcement during training or as a token of your affection, but calories from treats add up. Being overweight or obese can increase your dog’s risk for many health issues, which is why treats should make up 10% or less of your dog’s daily calories.

Plan on giving your German Spitz 30–60 minutes of exercise a day. Larger Spitz dogs will need more, and smaller Spitz varieties may be content with less.

Regardless of size, a German Spitz likes to be busy and on the move. A walk around the neighborhood a few times each day will give these dogs plenty of opportunities to take in fresh sights, sounds, and enticing smells. They also tend to enjoy playing chase with you in a fenced yard or tussling with a toy.

The German Spitz can also put their intelligence and speedy moves to work in canine competitions like agility, rally, barn hunt, or nose work. And because these dogs are very trainable and have minimal dander, they are sometimes also trained as service dogs.

Because German Spitz dogs crave company, these dogs do best with an individual or family who is frequently home—or willing to take their dog on the go. They’re not well-suited for being left alone for long periods.

A German Spitz can be comfortable in a home with a yard or in an apartment, as long as you give them enough daily exercise and mental stimulation. Smaller Spitz varieties are particularly well-suited for compact living, but their need for frequent activity shouldn’t be overlooked.

Be forewarned: these dogs can be vocal, especially if they’re bored. Having close neighbors could be problematic if you don’t give your dog plenty of attention and an outlet for their energy.

German Spitz Health

Health issues are not especially common within the German Spitz breed, and these dogs usually live 15–17 years.

To preserve the breed’s vitality, the German Spitz Club of America recommends breeding dogs undergo health screenings of their hips, knees, eyes, and elbows, alongside genetic testing for hereditary diseases.

Von Willebrand disease (vWD): This bleeding disorder prevents normal blood clotting because of protein abnormalities. Since this is an inherited condition, genetic screening of parent dogs is highly recommended. Dogs who are affected by the disease or carriers should not be bred.
Progressive reti nal atrophy (PRA): This condition affects the light receptor cells in the retina. Some dogs experience early-onset PRA, which means the light receptor cells fail to form properly from birth. Late-onset PRA happens to adult dogs and occurs because the light receptor cells begin to deteriorate. There is no cure for PRA, and it will cause eventual blindness.
Patellar luxation: This joint condition causes the kneecap to slip out of place. Dogs of many different breeds can be predisposed to the condition, but testing can rule out existing problems in parent dogs. Mild cases of patellar luxation are typically managed with weight management, a joint-healthy diet, rest, and anti-inflammatory medicines. More severe cases may require surgery.

German Spitz History

Spitz dogs trace their origin back to Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Vikings who traveled far and wide throughout Europe brought the compact, foxlike dogs with them from their homeland. These Spitz dogs were known for being self-assured and intelligent, and were widely adopted in Germany as guardian dogs and small vermin hunters.

Initially, they were known as German Lace, and a breed registry was established in 1899, around the same time that German immigrants brought these dogs to the United States. Over time, the breed came to be known as the German Spitz.

Today, the German Spitz is recognized by several international breed registries, with some differences in size classifications. For instance, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognizes four sizes for the German Spitz, including the Gross Spitz (Keeshond) and the Zwergspitz (Pomeranian). The AKC classifies the Keeshond and Pomeranian as individual breeds separate from the German Spitz.

The German Spitz was entered into the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service in 1996 and entered the Miscellaneous Class in 2024.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Angela Beal, DVM.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the German Spitz

German Spitz