Spitz 740355 225414923 2008-07-13T15:46:51Z CommonsDelinker 2304267 Removing "Papillon_sitting_Flickr.jpg", it has been deleted from Commons by [[commons:User:ShakataGaNai|ShakataGaNai]] because: [[w:commons:Commons:Flickr images|Unfree Flickr license]]. {{otheruses}} '''Spitz'''-type [[dog]]s (the correct [[German language|German]] plural is '''Spitze''', though '''Spitzen''' is commonly used in the United States) are a [[Dog type|type]] of dog, characterized by long, thick, and often [[white]] [[fur]], and pointed [[ear]]s and [[animal muzzle|muzzle]]s. The [[tail]] is usually curled over the dog's back. ==Origins== The exact origins of Spitz-[[Dog type|type]] dogs are not known, though most of the Spitz-types seen today originate from the [[Arctic]] regions. The type was described as [[Canis lupus|''Canis pomeranus'']] by [[Johann Friedrich Gmelin]] in his revision of [[Systema naturae]] in 1788 (printed in English in 1792.)<ref>Linnaeus, C. (translated and revised by R. Kerr). 1792. The Animal Kingdom; or, zoological system of the celebrated Sir Charles Linnaeus. Class I. Mammalia and Class II. Birds. Being a translation of that part of the Systema Naturae, as lately published with great improvements by Professor Gmelin, together with numerous additions from more recent zoological writers and illustrated with copperplates. J. Murray, London, 644 pp.</ref> There is no [[archaeology|archaeological]] evidence showing transition stages between the [[wolf]] and the often-similar Spitz-type dogs. [[Skeleton|Skeletal]] remains up to 5,000 [[year]]s old suggest it is far more likely that the [[ancestor]]s of Spitz types [[mating|mated]] with wolves. In recent genetic testing of dog breeds, many Spitz-types were found to be in the group closest to wolves, presumed to be the oldest types of dogs.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/55869/page/1 |title= Genetics and the Shape of Dogs; Studying the new sequence of the canine genome shows how tiny genetic changes can create enormous variation within a single species |accessmonthday= 05/06 |accessyear= 2008 |last= Ostrander |first= Elaine A. |date= September-October 2007 |work= American Scientist (online) |publisher= www.americanscientist.org |pages= page 2, chart page 4}}</ref> [[Human]]s have intentionally mated Spitz types with wolves in more recent times to achieve or maintain the wolf-like appearance of breeds such as the [[Alaskan Malamute]]. ==Migrations== About three thousand years ago, dogs began to migrate from the Arctic into [[temperate climate|temperate]] [[Europe]], [[North America]], [[Asia]], and to a lesser extent, [[Africa]]. Skeletal remains around 2,000 years old unearthed in [[Switzerland]] indicate that Spitz-type dogs have inhabited [[Central Europe]] for [[millennium|millennia]]. These dogs are almost certainly the ancestors of the European Spitz-types, such as the [[German Spitz]] and [[Schipperke]]. Many Spitz-types also migrated into [[Korea]] and [[China]]. Over the centuries, many of these dogs were transported by humans to [[Japan]], most likely from Korea. These Asian Spitz types are the ancestors of today's breeds such as the [[Chow Chow]] and the [[Akita Inu]]. ==Working dogs== Through [[selective breeding]], Spitz types have [[evolution|evolved]] to fit three purposes helping humans: [[hunting dog|hunting]], [[herding dog|herding]], and [[sled dog|pulling sled]]s. The larger and more powerful breeds such as the [[Karelian Bear Dog]] and the [[Norwegian Elkhound]] were used for [[game (food)|big game]] [[hunting]], helping humans kill [[moose]] and [[Red Deer|elk]]. Smaller breeds such as the [[Finnish Spitz]] and the [[Lundehund]] were used in [[Scandinavia]] to hunt [[bird]]s and smaller [[mammal]]s. The largest of all the Spitz types, notably the [[Canadian Eskimo Dog]] and the [[Greenland Dog]], were used to pull sleds up until the 19th century. During that century, when [[fur trapping]] became a lucrative business, people began to realize that [[size]] did not necessarily relate with [[endurance]], and the smaller [[Siberian Husky]] came to be used more frequently in [[Canada]] and [[Alaska]]. The [[Finnish Lapphund]] was used by the [[Sami people]]. ==Adaptation to the Arctic== Spitz types are well suited to living in harsh northern [[climate]]s. They often have an [[Thermal insulation|insulating]], waterproof [[undercoat]] that is denser than the topcoat to trap warmth. Small ears help reduce the risk of [[frostbite]], and thick fur that grows on the [[paw]]s protects the dogs from sharp [[ice]]. However, many Spitz-type breeds retain wolf-like characteristics such as excessive independence, suspiciousness, and aggression towards unfamiliar humans or other animals, and can therefore require much [[training]] before they become manageable. Some, such as the [[Karelian Bear Dog]], are almost impossible to train as [[companion dog]]s. ==Companions and toys== The charming look of the Spitz-type, with its thick fur, fluffy ruff, curled tail and small muzzle and ears, have caused several people to create non-working types designed to be [[companion dog|companions]] or [[lap dog]]s. This trend is most evident in the tiny [[Pomeranian (dog)|Pomeranian]], which was originally a much larger dog closer to the size of a [[Keeshond]] before being bred down to make an acceptable court animal. The Keeshond, the [[Wolfspitz]] variation of the [[German Spitz]], widely known as the national dog of the [[Netherlands]], is an affectionate and loyal, albeit very energetic, pet. Other Spitz types which have been bred away from working uses are the [[American Eskimo Dog]], the [[Alaskan Klee Kai]], the [[German Spitz]], the [[Pomeranian]], and even the [[Papillon (dog)|Papillon]]. ==List of Spitz-type dog breeds== This list might not be complete and is, at best, an educated guess from experts and dog fanciers based on the physical characteristics of the breeds. Some, such as the [[Papillon (dog)|Papillon]], exhibit the tail, coat, and head of a Spitz dog, but its ears more closely resemble [[spaniel]]s although being uprightlike the Spitz. In the future, genetic studies might better clarify the relationship among various breeds. Note that dogs listed here might also be classified as [[toy dog]]s, [[herding dog]]s, [[sled dog]]s, and in other types. {| class=wikitable |- |[[Akita Inu]] |align=center| [[Image:Akita inu.jpeg|175px]] |- |[[Alaskan Husky]] |align=centre|[[Image:Goose-Alaskan Husky.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Alaskan Klee Kai]] |align=center| [[Image:Standard Alaskan Klee Kai.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Alaskan Malamute]] |align=center| [[Image:Alaskan Malamute 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[American Akita]] |align=centre|[[Image:American akita.jpg|175px]] |- |[[American Eskimo Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:American Eskimo Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Basenji]] |align=center| [[Image:Basenji 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Black Norwegian Elkhound]] |align=center| [[Image:800px-Bamse-Norsk Elghund Sort.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Canaan Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:Canaan Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Canadian Eskimo Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:Canadian Inuit Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Chow Chow]] |align=center| [[Image:Chowchow.jpg|175px]] |- |[[East Siberian Laika]] |align=center| [[Image:East Siberian Laika.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Eurasier]] |align=center| [[Image:Eurasier liegend.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Finnish Lapphund]] |align=center| [[Image:Finnish Lapphund Glenchess Revontuli.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Finnish Spitz]] |align=center| [[Image:Finnish Spitz 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[German Spitz]] |align=center| [[Image:spitz.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Greenland Dog]] |align=center|[[Image:Greenland Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Guejae Gae]] | |- |[[Hokkaido (dog)|Hokkaidō]] |align=center|[[Image:Ainu-Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Icelandic Sheepdog]] |align=center|[[Image:Ulfur.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Indian Spitz]] |- |[[Jämthund]] |align=center|[[Image:Jämthund.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Japanese Spitz]] |align=center|[[Image:Wikidinky.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Kai Ken|Kai]] |align=center|[[Image:Kai.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Karelian Bear Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:Karelian Beardog.gif|175px]] |- |[[Karelo-Finnish Laika]] <!-- prety sure it is the same thing as [[Karelian Bear Dog]] --> | |- |[[Keeshond]] |align=center| [[Image:Keeshond2.JPG|175px]] |- |[[Kintamani (dog)|Kintamani]] |align=center| [[Image:Kintamani dog black02.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Kishu]] |align=center| [[Image:kishu.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Korea Jindo Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:Korean Jindo Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Labrador Husky]] |- |[[Lapponian Herder]] (''Lapinporokoira'') |align=center| [[Image:Lapskvallhund.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Mackenzie River Husky]] |align=center| [[Image:MackenzieRiverHusky.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Nenets Herding Laika]] <!-- looks like a calque of the Russian name for what's known as [[Samoyed]] in English --> | |- |[[Norrbottenspets]] |align=center| [[Image:Nordic Spitz.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Northern Inuit dog|Northern Inuit Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:NI4.JPG|175px]] |- |[[Norwegian Buhund]] |align=center| [[Image:Norwegian Buhund 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Norwegian Elkhound]] |align=center| [[Image:Norwegian Elkhound.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Norwegian Lundehund]] |align=center| [[Image:Lundehund-2003.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Papillon (dog)|Papillon]] |align=center| |- |[[Phalène]] |align=centre|[[Image:Spaniel miniaturowy kontynentalny phalene 00.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Pomeranian (dog)|Pomeranian]] |align=center| [[Image:Pomeranian 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Pungsan Dog|Pungsan]] | |- | [[Russo-European Laika]] | |- |[[Ryūkyū Inu]] | |- |[[Sakhalin Husky]] | |- |[[Salish Wool Dog]] |align=center| |- |[[Samoyed (dog)|Samoyed]] |align=center| [[Image:Samoyed 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Sanshu]] | |- |[[Schipperke]] |align=center| [[Image:Schipperke gismo 12.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Seppala Husky]] |align=center| [[Image:2sssdleaders.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Shiba Inu]] |align=center| [[Image:Shiba Inu 600.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Shikoku (dog)|Shikoku]] |align=centre| [[Image:Shikoku dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Siberian Husky]] |align=center| [[Image:Siberian-husky.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Swedish Lapphund]] |- |[[Swedish Vallhund]] |align=center| [[Image:SwedishVallhundAgility wb.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Thai Bangkaew Dog]] |align=center| [[Image:Bangkaew Dog.jpg|175px]] |- |[[Volpino Italiano]] |align=center| [[Image:Volpino04.jpg|175px]] |- |[[West Siberian Laika]] |align=center| [[Image:West Siberian Laika.jpg|175px]] |} == References == {{refs}} [[Category:Dog types]] [[Category:German loanwords]] [[da:Spidshunde]] [[de:Spitz (Hunderasse)]] [[it:Spitz]] [[he:כלבי שפיץ]] [[lv:Spitz]] [[lt:Vokiečių špicas]] [[nl:Spits (hond)]] [[ja:スピッツ (犬)]] [[no:Spisshunder]] [[pl:Szpic]] [[fi:Pystykorva]] [[sv:Spetshund]] [[th:Spitz]]