A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as highly undesirable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
General appearance
Compact, short coupled and well knit with an almost square outline. Firm condition, the profuse coat not disguising any lack of substance.
Characteristics
The German Spitz is intelligent, active and alert. Its buoyancy, independence and devotion to the family are the breed characteristics.
Temperament
Happy, equable disposition, showing confidence, with no sign of nervousness or aggression.
Head and skull
Medium large, broad and nearly flat skull when viewed from above and narrowing in a wedge shape to the nose. Stop moderately defined; muzzle approximately half length of head. Cheeks clean. Flews tight, no trace of lippiness. Nose black in black, white, black/white parti-colours, black/tan bi-colours. Self colour as compatible with coat colour in other colour varieties. Never parti-colour or pink.
Eyes
Medium size, oval shaped and obliquely set. Not too wide apart. Always dark with black rims in blacks, whites, black/white parti-colours, black/tan bi-colours. As dark as compatible with coat colour in other colour varieties.
Ears
Small, triangular and set rather high. Perfectly erect.
Mouth
A perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Black lips in black, white, black/white in parti-colours, black/tan bi-colours. Colour as compatible with coat colour in other colour varieties.
Nose
Black in black, white, black/white parti-colours, black/tan bi-colours. Self colour as compatible with coat colour in other colour varieties. Never parti-colour or pink.
Neck
Clean, moderately short and well set into the shoulders.
Forequarters
Moderately sloping shoulder; upper arm of sufficient length to ensure elbow is vertically below point of withers. Moderate forechest. Elbows equidistant between ground and withers, turning neither in nor out. Well-boned, straight legs. Pasterns strong and flexible.
Body
Length from point of shoulder to point of buttock equal to height at withers; short, well-developed loin. Moderate tuck-up. Well ribbed up and rounded. Distance from brisket to ground not less than half the height from ground to withers. Topline level.
Hindquarters
Moderate angulation with hocks moderately well let down. Neither cow-hocked nor wide behind.
Feet
Small, rounded, cat-like, with well-arched toes.
Tail
High set, curled right up from root, lying curled over back.
Gait/movement
Moving without exaggeration from any angle. Straight coming and going. Viewed from side, effortless, brisk action, retaining top-line.
Coat
Double coat consisting of a soft woolly undercoat and a long harsh-textured perfectly straight top coat covering the whole of the body. Abundant around neck and forequarters with a frill of profuse, but not excessive off-standing straight hair extending over the shoulders. Forelimbs well feathered tapering from elbows to pasterns. Hindlimbs feathered to hocks. Ears covered with soft short hair. Hair on the face smooth and short. Tail profusely covered with long spreading hair. This is not a trimmed breed and evidence of trimming and shaping, other than tidying of the feet, anal area and legs below the hocks, unacceptable.
Colour
All colour varieties and markings acceptable, with the exception of merle. Butterfly pigment not permitted with any colour.
Size
Height: Klein: 23-29 cms (9-11½ ins) Mittel: 30-38 cms (12-15 ins).
Dogs masculine, bitches feminine.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
*Note for prospective puppy buyers
Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.