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Dog Articles
Past and Present: Spitz
The ‘Wolf
Spitz’ of the mid-Victorian fancier is now seldom seen in this
country; yet he is a very interesting dog, having much to do in the
gradual evolution of many types popular today. Almost unaltered
except in size, we see him now as the popular toy Pomeranian; his
influence is easily seen in the saucy black Schipperke; there is
little doubt that he has a share in the various Shepherd dogs of
central Europe, and one can see strong probability that this strain
reappears in the fine dogs of the North, represented by the Samoyed
and sled dogs of the Eastern and the Eskimos of the Western
hemispheres, though it is not clear how it got there. The true Spitz
is a dog weighing about 25 to 30 pounds, and the best dogs are white
or cream-color, though fawn, brown, and even black dogs are found.
The
mixture of white in patches with any of these ‘self’ colors is an
unpardonable defect with the fancy. They are bright, fascinating,
pretty dogs; but it must in candor be said they are very ‘choicy’ in
making friends and very ready to repel with sharp teeth any
unwelcome advances by dogs or humans they don't know. They are apt
to be a real responsibility to the owner on this account. The Eskimo
dog, Samoyed, Spitz, and Chow-Chow, although differing in size and
sometimes in color, probably had a common origin. Their dense coats
show that they all properly belong in the North, and their straight,
upright ears and general appearance betray their blood relationship
to the wolf.
The Spitz,
usually solid white or solid black, has long been a favorite in
Germany. Thirty or forty years ago it was popular in this country,
but it is a dog of uncertain temper, and that may be one reason why
it is no longer in favor, except in a reduced form as a toy dog.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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