Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Spitz is one of the oldest known breeds, descended from northern sled and guard dogs. Its ancestors lived in Europe and northern Asia, serving humans as watchful protectors and working companions. Over time, smaller decorative types were selectively bred from these hardy dogs, resulting in more compact bodies and luxuriant coats. The breed became especially popular in Germany before spreading across Europe, symbolizing loyalty, alertness, and cheerfulness. Today, several recognized size varieties of the Spitz are known worldwide as excellent family companions and show dogs.
General Appearance
The Spitz is a compact, well-proportioned dog with a dense double coat that gives it a characteristic fluffy silhouette. The body is square in format, strong, and muscular. The head is wedge-shaped with bright, dark eyes and a keen, alert expression. The small, triangular, erect ears give the breed its lively and attentive look. The tail is set high, richly feathered, and carried curled over the back. Movement is light, springy, and confident. The overall impression is one of elegance, vitality, and joyful energy.
Important Proportions
The Spitz has an almost square body format, with the length from shoulder to tail base approximately equal to the height at the withers. The head is wedge-shaped and proportional to the body, with the muzzle roughly equal in length to the skull. The stop is moderately defined. The tail is set high and carried curled toward the back. Limbs are straight, strong, and proportionate, ensuring stability and effortless movement. The chest is deep but not broad, the abdomen moderately tucked. The proportions emphasize the breed’s compactness, balance, and harmony.
Temperament and Character
The Spitz is lively, confident, and friendly. Intelligent and loyal, it is always alert to its surroundings without being nervous or aggressive. It shows courage and independence while remaining affectionate and responsive to its owner. Playful and sociable, the Spitz bonds well with children and other pets. Its demeanor reflects balance, dignity, and cheerfulness, making it an ideal and reliable family companion.
Head
The head is medium-sized, wedge-shaped, and proportionate to the body. The skull is moderately broad and slightly domed, with a smooth, rounded forehead. The muzzle narrows toward the nose, its length about half the skull’s. The nose is small and rounded—preferably black, though dark brown shades are acceptable in light-colored dogs. The lips are tight and dark-edged; jaws are strong, with a scissor bite. The expression is intelligent, alert, and slightly smiling, typical of the breed.
Facial Region
The muzzle is clean-cut and wedge-shaped, tapering slightly to a small dark nose. The bridge of the nose is straight, the nostrils open and well-defined. The lips are thin, tight, and pigmented; the cheeks are smooth, and the chin firm but not protruding. The facial expression should be alert, intelligent, and friendly, reflecting the Spitz’s lively disposition.
Eyes
Eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slightly oblique, giving a bright, intelligent look. The color is dark brown; the darker, the better. Eyelids fit closely, with a distinct dark rim. The expression is lively, friendly, and attentive—never timid or aggressive.
Ears
Ears are small, triangular, erect, and set high and close together, with firm cartilage and pointed tips. They should be symmetrical, upright, and proportionate to the head, enhancing the breed’s alert and lively expression.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, well-arched, and strongly muscled, flowing smoothly into the shoulders and back. It is carried proudly, giving the breed a noble stance. The thick ruff of hair around the neck enhances the silhouette, lending an impression of strength and volume.
Body
The body is compact, sturdy, and nearly square, with a straight topline and strong back. The chest is deep with moderately sprung ribs, the loin short and muscular, and the croup slightly rounded. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing the elegant contour. The overall build conveys firmness, balance, and resilience.
Tail
The tail is set high, of medium length, covered with long, straight hair forming a rich plume. It is curled over the back or slightly to one side without touching the body too tightly. In motion, it is carried proudly and firmly, emphasizing the dog’s confident posture.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight, parallel, and strong, with well-developed muscles and bone. Shoulders are long and sloping, elbows close to the body, and pasterns short and resilient. Feet are small, round, and compact, with dark, strong nails.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are powerful and muscular with well-angulated joints, providing elasticity and drive. Thighs are broad, and hocks are low and vertical. Feet are compact and round. The hindquarters ensure stability, endurance, and smooth propulsion.
Gait and Movement
The gait is brisk, free, and springy. Movements are straight, rhythmic, and balanced, with strong rear drive and good front extension. The topline remains steady. The gait reflects the breed’s liveliness, grace, and coordination.
Coat
The coat is double: a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, straight, stand-off outer coat. The texture should be firm, not silky or wavy. The ruff around the neck and the frill on the chest form a characteristic mane. The tail and hindquarters are richly feathered, giving the Spitz its distinctive fluffy appearance.
Color
All colors and combinations are permitted. Common shades include white, black, brown, red, cream, orange, gray, sable, and wolf-gray. The pigment of the nose, lips, and eyelid rims should be as dark as possible and harmonize with the coat color. The color must be even, rich, and vivid.
Size
The Spitz comes in several size varieties: Toy (Pomeranian) – 18–22 cm; Small – 23–29 cm; Medium – 30–38 cm at the withers. Weight ranges from 2 to 8 kg, proportional to height. The body should remain square and well-balanced regardless of size.
Faults
Faults include deviations from correct proportions, light or soft bone, weak back, narrow chest, sparse undercoat, soft or wavy hair, light eyes, large or wide-set ears, poor tail carriage, dull coat color, timid or overly excitable behavior, and unbalanced movement.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include overshot or undershot bite, jaw asymmetry, missing teeth, blue or merle coloration, cropped ears or tail, spinal or limb deformities, lack of undercoat, and unstable temperament (aggressiveness, fearfulness, or nervousness).
Important Notes
In the ICCF system, special emphasis is placed on maintaining the breed’s correct proportions, dense double coat, and steady temperament. Miniaturization that weakens bone structure or affects breathing is unacceptable. Grooming that alters the natural silhouette is forbidden for shows. Only dogs with ICCF-certified pedigrees confirming breed purity and standard compliance may participate in breeding or exhibitions.
Conclusion
The Spitz embodies ancient northern resilience, loyalty, and expressive beauty. Compact, confident, and elegant, it is equally suited for the show ring and as a family companion. Its intelligence, devotion, and cheerful nature make it a true symbol of harmony and vitality in the ICCF standard.
