Kleinspitz Dog Breed

The Spitz Klein is a companion dog that will serve as your eyes and ears. For the right person, they can become a super show dog. They may want to be a guard dog like their massive ancestors that were also responsible for the gigantic Wolfspitz, but this is not possible. They are OK for first-time dog owners but they can be extremely difficult, and they do require patience.

You should be sure to spend time researching these dogs, but here are some basic facts about them:

PROS

• Elegant
• Highly alert
• Beautiful coat
• Sharp eyesight
• Excellent hearing
• Brilliant watchdog
• Few health concerns
• Moderate exercise needs
• Will follow you everywhere

CONS

• Feisty
• Overly Bold
• Very curious
• May bark a lot
• Not a guard dog
• Easily excitable
• Highly independent
• Extremely stubborn at times
• Can be jealous of other dogs
• Can be rude, especially with kids
• Must have your attention constantly
• Will chase cats and animals larger than him

These dogs come from canine ancestors who were used for hunting, protection, and companionship. A few centuries ago, there were smaller versions developed for European royalty. All of this led to the demanding Spitz Klein of today. If you ever wonder why these dogs imagine themselves so fierce and stately despite being small, this is why.

While they can be annoying, these dogs are extremely smart. They understand human moods, exploit ways to get attention and food, and can learn a lot of tricks. They are also stubborn. Once they are trained, however, they easily master obedience and other competitions.

They have excellent hearing and sharp eyes, and they are excellent watchdogs. They will try your patience, but they will be loyal, loving and devoted. They love to look good, and they enjoy making you look good when you walk them.

These little dogs are very energetic. Jumping, dancing, and running will consume most of their time, and the more you engage them, the happier they'll be. Having a securely fenced yard is ideal, as they will love to get outdoors and run wildly for long periods. A fair amount of exercise and regular dog park visits is essential too.

There are no variations of this dog. The Spitz Klein is itself a variation of the breed German Spitz, which by some is considered not so much a breed as a dog type itself under the Spitz. (Yes, it can be confusing.) Originally, there were five variations of the German Spitz dog, of which the Spitz Klein was the second-smallest. (Translated into English "klein" means "small.")

The coat type is the same for all German Spitzes. There is a variety of colors for the Spitz Klein, and the pure white one makes this dog look like a slightly larger Pomeranian.

Because there is so much variation regarding the varieties of Spitz-type dogs, it's best to research them in-depth so you can understand them better.

These little dogs have a huge appetite for attention. The German Spitz Klein temperament is all about being a prima donna, and this can be trying. If they are properly brought up, however, these are obedient dogs. They'll always be ready to show off the tricks they know. They are highly alert, aloof to strangers and may not mesh well with kids and other dogs. They may also bark a lot. They have a tendency to be stubborn, persistent, and demanding.

Despite all the potentially annoying habits, these dogs are loving, affectionate and playful. They aren't into roughhousing. The type of play they prefer is tricks and being doted on even as they look to please you. Agility toys are great to get these dogs to show off — which is what they want to do!

Training and socialization are needed to manage the possibly bad behavior. Early socialization will help them not be rude as well as understand that when they are among other dogs, it's not all about them. Extremely gentle yet firm training will help them understand when it's OK to bark (strangers at the door) and when not to (friends entering the door).

The Spitz Klein has been carefully bred for a very long time, as have most German Spitz dogs. This has helped to maintain a very healthy dog — although small dogs are prone to ailments because of their size. There are also some inbreeding issues that occur.

Here are some of the health concerns that can happen to your Spitz Klein:

• Epilepsy
• Eye diseases
• Dental issues
• Patellar luxation
• Mouth infections
• Over- or underbite

The typical life span of the Spitz Klein is 14 years, although they have been known to live considerably longer.