Spitz – one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. Red, fox-like, curious dogs of small stature can instantly win the hearts of animal lovers, which makes this breed popular for keeping in city apartments.

The most popular type of Spitz is the Pomeranian . He was purposefully bred as a decorative dog .

This dog breed traces its history back to Germany, where over the centuries, Spitz dogs, large in size, became shepherd's assistants.
Until the 18th century, no one raised small representatives, but the popularity that came to the breed gave impetus to the breeding of dogs. Noble people of that era kept Spitz dogs (weighing up to 6 kg was considered valuable) as decorative dogs. In the 20th century, dogs traveled through Siberia and China to Japan , where the white Japanese Spitz was bred. Choosing a puppy seems simple, but in reality, of course, you need to look at the pedigree.

How to choose a Pomeranian puppy?

It is worth noting that the Spitz standard is extensive when it comes to the color of the dogs. Uniformity is important - the puppy should be red or white. If you want a black and tan, zone color, then you should look for one in nurseries that specialize in this color.

Important! The true color of a Spitz will become clear only after shedding, but the approximate color can be guessed by the color of the fur behind the puppy’s ears. An adult dog does not shed.

Take your choice seriously: ask the breeder for a pedigree (to understand what color the dog will be as an adult), contact those who took puppies from previous generations.

Also, the dog from the kennel has a passport and a certificate with vaccinations entered there. If we consider the physical factor, the puppy should be cheerful and curious. The color of a Spitz does not affect the character of the dog.

No less important is the issue of feeding the puppy. Usually, babies start giving complementary foods at the age of 7 weeks, or even earlier. The breeder immediately switches the puppy to dry food or keeps it on a natural diet.

Advice! Remember that the Spitz is an active dog! You need to walk with her 2 times a day for an hour or two. If you are not ready for this and want the animal not to leave the room, get a smaller breed.

How to choose a Spitz - basic criteria

A Spitz is chosen not just based on one’s own desires, but also taking into account the important characteristics of the breed. Knowing the basic selection criteria will allow you to become the happy owner of a small pet, so let’s look at them in more detail.

Floor

Victory at a Pomeranian Spitz show is more likely to go to a boy than a girl. This is due to its impressive size and thick coat, which make it more attractive to judges.

For those who purchase an animal as the main subject for everyday cuddles, you should choose the opposite option. Boys are worse at making contact and rarely have an affectionate character.

Color

According to the ICF classification, the colors of Spitz dogs are:

• orange;
• black and black and tan;
• creamy;
• chocolate;
• white;
• sable;
• bicolor.

If the task of the purchased animal is not future battles for first place, then in addition to the listed colors, you can choose blue and blue and tan . Despite the fact that they are not approved in the standards, the orange coat with this shade looks very beautiful.

Choosing a color is very difficult, because as the puppies grow older, it changes. In this matter, you will have to trust the knowledge of the breeder or still try your luck. To do this, look behind the ears , or check the color of the hair at its base by parting the fur on the back of a small Pomeranian.

Height, size

The choice of size of a dog participating in breeding work depends on its gender:

• girls are supposed to reach large sizes (at least 22 cm);
• boys, on the contrary, are chosen to be miniature.

The small size of the breed, reaching less than 18 cm at the withers, does not meet the standards. He is not allowed to attend exhibition events or participate in breeding. Such individuals have a weak bone structure and are poorly socialized.

When trying to choose a puppy, check its weight. Babies weighing less than 70 g are at risk of developmental delays. Also, non-ossified areas (fontanelles) form on their skull, requiring increased attention from the owner. Any head injury received by such a pet is extremely dangerous.

Age

Undoubtedly, you want to choose a stupid and cute baby much more than an adult. However, such thinking poses a number of problems:

1. Weak immunity. Early separation from a mother who is breastfeeding the baby will deprive it of a number of beneficial substances. The puppy not only receives all the necessary vitamins, but also acquires passive immunity, which allows him to avoid dangerous diseases at an early age.
2. Mental disorder. Babies faced with the fact of independent life can seriously suffer without the usual maternal care.
3. The difficulty of soberly assessing the main parameters. Problems will arise not only with determining the color of the future four-legged friend, but also with understanding the quality of the teeth and the skeletal structure of the body.
4. Difficulties with feeding. A Pomeranian who is not accustomed to eating on his own will certainly encounter problems with his gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, any intestinal disorder will lead to severe dehydration, which can take the baby’s life.

The considered problems are solved at 3 months of age. If age is not important, then it is better to choose a 2-year-old Spitz, who has a mature psyche and body structure.

Please note that you should not be afraid of unsightly 4-5 month old babies. At this time, they undergo active molting, depriving them of baby fluff and renewing their full woolen coat. to choose a beautiful orange after the molting is over.

Playfulness

It is important for future Spitz owners to understand that the Pomeranian is a real energizer that requires attention and love 24/7. The smart creature will happily remember new commands and interesting tricks.

If girls try to be mannered and agreeable, then owners of boys' dogs will have to come to terms with their restlessness and cockiness.

Gender does not have a serious influence on the playfulness of character, but a slight difference can still be traced.

Price

The cost of a Spitz is determined by:

1. Floor. It is cheaper to choose a boy, since he has fewer nuances for participating in breeding work.
2. Origin . A rich pedigree involving foreign representatives will cost a pretty penny.
3. Parameters. The price of miniature Pomeranians is an order of magnitude higher than that of small Spitz dogs.
4. Fashion. The fashion for dachshunds, huskies and corgis is gradually subsiding, but the dwarf Spitz breed has still not found a worthy replacement. However, a possible competitor will ensure that prices fall.
5. Belonging to a class (an active participant in exhibition events, breeding work, or an ordinary pet). Whom to choose in this case is up to the owner.
6. Age. Grown-up Spitz dogs are more expensive because they are fully prepared for life with a new owner and do not carry the “pitfalls” inherent in puppies.
7. The authority of the seller. High cost does not always guarantee quality, but too low prices are a good reason to choose a more reliable source.

The cost of Spitz varies from 20 to 150 thousand rubles. Do not rush to buy a Pomeranian for 5 thousand on a well-known bulletin board, citing a lack of desire to participate in important events. Such a dog may have a serious illness and an unclean pedigree, turning it into an ordinary mongrel with good external characteristics.

For exhibition or for home

When trying to choose a Spitz, focus on the class that determines compliance with existing standards:

1. Show class. Such Pomeranians are ideal representatives purchased for exhibitions. In addition to excellent external data, they have all the qualities that allow them to feel confident on the big stage. Please note that a show girl rarely participates in breeding, since her parameters do not allow her to bear healthy offspring and avoid complications during childbirth.
2. Breeding class. Despite their good pedigree, Spitz dogs have certain disadvantages that exclude a place in first class. They are also allowed to participate in exhibitions, but the likelihood of them receiving prizes is greatly reduced. Nevertheless, breeding girls are the best in breeding work, but male dogs are not allowed access to this matter. In this regard, future breeders are advised to choose a girl.
3. Pet class. The dogs have disqualifying features, but are completely healthy and are quite suitable for home comfort. Problems with teeth or bite do not at all take away the beauty of a purebred animal. They are still the same beautiful, cool Spitz dogs that bring smiles to those around them.

Regardless of the purpose of your pet, purchase Spitz dogs only from specialized nurseries and from trusted breeders.

What and how much is better to feed a puppy

If a Pomeranian has been accustomed to dry food since the age of one month, then there is no need to change the feeding system, since food developed specifically for such small breeds contains the entire range of microelements and vitamins.

There is no need to give additional vitamins to your Pomeranian, unless it was prescribed due to some factors after a visit to the veterinarian.

The dog does not need additional vegetables or fruits, but if you want to give it a carrot or an apple as a toy (to sharpen its teeth), and the animal chews them with pleasure, natural complementary foods in a minimal amount will not hurt .

If the baby was kept on a natural diet, then you should find out from the breeders what he was fed and stick to the same menu.

The foods given to Spitz dogs are: chicken, lean beef, sea fish, offal, boiled eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, kefir, rice, buckwheat, rolled oats and dog biscuits. The meat is boiled or scalded in boiling water, the bones are removed from the fish and the delicacy is prepared with your own hands.

Prohibited foods: sweets, candies, smoked, salty, legumes, potatoes, pasta, baked goods, millet, pearl barley, semolina, any bones.

Advice! Dogs should not be given any bones, including chicken bones, soft bones, etc. A puppy can easily choke. The only exception is large beef moles, which are pre-boiled. Such bones are useful for teeth that itch when changing from milk teeth to permanent ones.

An important rule is to try to feed your dog at the same time. In terms of the number of feedings, you need to adhere to the same rules that apply to other breeds: puppies under 2 months are fed 6 times a day, at 3-4 months - 4 times a day, from 5 to 8 months - 3 times a day , and after 8-9 months - 1-2 times a day .

Do not pamper a Spitz who will ask for food from the table - it is forbidden to him, so as not to take the animal to doctors. Small breeds - Spitz - have a weak pancreas, so choosing the right diet is paramount.

Boy or girl? Choosing the gender of the Spitz

When choosing a dwarf Pomeranian Spitz, you should pay attention to the gender of the animal, and this issue also has its own nuances.

If you want to participate in exhibitions and win prizes, then the gender of the dog can play into your hands. Spitz males look more advantageous compared to females of the same breed: boys are much larger and stronger, their coat is longer, thicker, richer and more magnificent. Males, like true men, are stingy in showing feelings, although they can be gentle and affectionate.

But with male dogs, big problems can arise when raising them, because having a tough disposition, Spitz dogs will require considerable stubbornness and perseverance from you in order to achieve obedience from the Spitz. Males can initiate fights with other dogs, always trying to defend their owner and territory, they tend to dominate other, often larger, dogs. If a boy smells a bitch in heat while walking, he will rush to her, forgetting about everything in the world, and in the end he may run away and get lost.

As the male matures and physiology takes over, he will begin to raise his paw to mark territory. From now on, you will need to train your Pomeranian to go to the water bottle, and if you fail, keep in mind that then, like any other dog, you will have to walk your pet outside twice a day. And what’s even worse is that he will leave marks not only at your home, but also at a party.

Bitches , unlike males, are easy to raise, they have a soft and flexible character, and they do not have problems with the toilet. But girls also have their drawbacks, namely, troubles during estrus. Estrus occurs once or twice a year and lasts at least three weeks; during this period you need to keep your Spitz on a leash to prevent unwanted matings. To protect your furniture, carpets, blankets and other things from stains, you will need to wear panties on your pet during heat.

The next feature of bitches is pregnancy and lactation, which are accompanied by certain experiences, inconveniences and troubles.

If you want your pet to have offspring ( breeding class ), you should give preference to the simplest (and not the one with the show appearance) bitch in the litter, make sure that she is large and heavy enough, has a wide pelvis, and her movements are folding and balanced. Just as with males, it is also advisable to take a female from a “linear” litter. So that your Spitz girl can feed and raise healthy and strong offspring without any problems, look at her mother (ask the breeder): how expressed is her maternal instinct, how viable are the puppies produced, and also how many of them are in the litter (there should not be more than 4 puppies). If everything is in order with the mother, then all these qualities will be inherited by the Spitz girls.

But if you do not plan to have offspring, then your pet can live quietly without mating and offspring. It is a huge mistake to think that the risk of getting cancer is greater in those bitches who have not given birth than in those who have given birth. It is a myth. There is no scientific evidence for this assumption.

What do Pomeranian puppies need?

If you are determined to get a Pomeranian, then you will require considerable expenses even before the baby gets into your home.

You will need:

• Stable, heavy-weight dishes from which the puppy will eat and drink.
• There are two types of combs: a slicker brush (massage brush) and an iron comb with long, sparse teeth.
• A bed (basket) for a dog or an aviary (if you plan to leave the dog alone for a long time).
• A carrier in which the puppy is taken to the veterinarian or on out-of-town trips.
• Toys (rubber without plastic, plush, special ones from pet stores).
• Overalls in which the Pomeranian will walk in dirty or rainy weather.
• Collar (nylon or soft leather) and leash.
• Dog shampoos, conditioners and sprays to make hair easier to comb.
• A tray where the puppy will go until he receives his first vaccinations and goes through the quarantine period (two weeks after vaccinations).
• Anti-tick sprays, collars, drops or shampoos.
• Round-tipped scissors or a nail clipper for trimming your dog's nails.
• A hair dryer special for dogs (from a pet store) or with a warm air mode.

This is an approximate set of what you will need to properly maintain this breed.

In addition, before the animal is taken to its new home, you should check all corners for small debris that could be swallowed by a curious pet.

The sun lounger should be installed not in the hallway or in the kitchen, but in the living room or bedroom - where it is quiet .

You should accustom him to the enclosure gradually, luring the Spitz there with toys or dog treats.

Such a fluffy breed should have overalls for the reason that dogs cannot be bathed often, and a Spitz will collect a lot of dirt even after one walk.

Important! You cannot keep a Spitz in an enclosure if you are at home and not sleeping. The dog must move a lot. Constantly being locked in a cage will develop a nervous temperament, which will be accompanied by constant barking.

First days in a new house

Spitz are very cheerful dogs, so they will quickly get used to you, especially if you surround them with affection and care. When you bring your baby into the house, give him time to get comfortable - let him go around all the corners and sniff. Do not pick up the dog again .

Advice! Take from the breeder an object (toy, rag) that has a smell that the Pomeranian is accustomed to, and put it in the bed. When the baby falls asleep anywhere, transfer him to the lounger.

Try to keep your Spitz under observation for the first few days to understand whether he likes his new home and whether he eats well.

From the first days it is necessary to accustom this breed to combing and litter box. If you don't want your pet to sleep with you, don't bring it into your bed under any circumstances. Yes, he is cute, but after sleeping on the couch or bed a couple of times, he will protest against other places to sleep.

Training

The breed is easy to train, but it is important to remember that the dog has a dominant character. He loves to get what he wants and knows how to achieve it – most often by barking. Therefore, you need to stop barking for every reason and not follow the lead of capricious Spitz dogs.

Advice! Give your pet as much time as possible and constantly learn new commands, not forgetting to repeat those already learned.
Then the puppy will not strive to bark at everyone on the street, but will understand what they want from him.

Pomeranian Spitz price

How much does a dwarf spitz cost? Having decided to acquire a glamorous and popular dog breed, every future owner will look for the answer to the question, how much does a Spitz cost?
The gender of the animal, its color and size are no less important. Factors that determine the cost of a pet. In order to understand how the price of a Pomeranian is formed, you should take a closer look at this issue. The central factors influencing price formation are:

• animal size;
• gender and color;
• presence of pedigree;
• features of the animal’s natural characteristics.

Before you decide to purchase a pet of this breed, it should be noted that the price of a Spitz is quite high compared to other breeds of pets. Some nurseries offer the purchase of exclusive animals, the price of which reaches up to 10 thousand US dollars. That is why too low a price should alert the future owner of the animal, as this may be the actions of scammers trying to sell a puppy without a breed under the guise of a Spitz.

It is equally important to realize the fact that the price of a Spitz requires certain expenses to purchase a balanced, fortified diet for a dog. Equally important are regular visits to the veterinarian, which will allow you to determine the current state of your pet’s health and prevent the occurrence of certain diseases.

Of course, when purchasing a dog that has a pedigree and relevant documents confirming this fact, the future owner will have to allocate a large amount for the purchase.

Before purchasing, experts recommend seeking advice from professional breeders, since under the guise of a Pomeranian puppy, a person may be sold another dog, which will differ significantly in cost. The thing is that at an early age, puppies can look absolutely the same. This is why you need to contact trusted nurseries, one of which is “Imperial Family”.

Caring for a Pomeranian puppy

Failure to comply with simple hygiene requirements will make the dog unkempt and irritable, so you need to teach it to constant combing or cutting from the first weeks of being in the house .

Hygiene

The main thing is to brush your Pomeranian. Ideally, this is done for 5 to 10 minutes daily using a wide-tooth comb.

It is important to accustom a wayward dog to this procedure. If you can’t do this every day, then 3 times a week is also enough , and it won’t affect your appearance. The coat of oranges has a thick undercoat that easily rolls into tangles without constant care and grooming.

You need to accustom your animal to the tray from the first days of keeping it at home . The baby is taken to the diaper tray as soon as he wakes up or has eaten. After a few days (weeks), the dog will understand that it needs to go to the toilet there.

Important! In dirty weather, the Spitz is walked in overalls, since it cannot be bathed more than once a month.

Walks

Small puppies are accustomed to the street two weeks after the end of quarantine associated with vaccination.

First, they walk for 10 minutes, 2 times a day . Gradually, the walking time is increased to two hours, 2 times a day . Not all owners can afford to spend so much time walking with their pet, so the animal must be active at home, that is, locking it in a room is prohibited.

Important! Be sure to keep your baby on a leash while walking. If there are no people around, then let him walk freely, but make sure that the puppy does not get lost.

Bathing and haircut

You can bathe oranges once every 1 – 3 months. First, the dog is sprayed with a spray to facilitate combing, combed thoroughly, then bathed with a special shampoo, and conditioner is applied. Combing after bathing should be gentle and thorough.

Bathing a Spitz while shedding is prohibited. Otherwise, it will ruin the coat because the guard hairs (outer layer), which should be hard and sticky, will become soft and start to curl.

Advice! The Spitz needs to be dried with a hairdryer, as without this procedure it may catch a cold or fungus will develop in its fur. The dog is wiped with a towel and dried thoroughly, starting from the paws and ending with the sides and back. Dry, separating small sections of fur.

Deciding on the purpose of purchasing a puppy

Before choosing a Pomeranian puppy, decide for yourself why you need it, because the cost of the pet will largely depend on this. So, Pomeranian Spitz puppies are conditionally divided into several groups:

• show-class dogs are animals that are potentially participants in all kinds of exhibitions and competitions;
• breeding class – boys and girls suitable for breeding;
• pet class - dogs that, due to their characteristics, are deprived of the privilege to participate in competitive programs, but are ideally suited to the role of pets.

Of course, if you choose representatives of the first two groups, be prepared to pay an order of magnitude more than for a dog “for the soul.”

Related article: How long do Spitz dogs live at home?

Be sure to tell the breeder about your intentions for the Spitz dog: he will be able to advise which of his pets is best suited specifically for your case.

Even if there is no doubt about the pedigree and parents of your baby, he looks perfect, this does not mean that you have become the owner of a guaranteed winner. A lot will depend on your efforts and quality care and education.

Health of Spitz puppies: vaccinations and vaccinations

Like any dog ​​breed, Pomeranians require vaccinations. When puppies are weaned from their mother, they are wormed and then given the first vaccination (at 1.5 - 2 months). The next vaccination occurs 2 - 4 weeks after the first. For 10 – 14 days the dog is in quarantine and does not walk outside, and after that you can safely take the puppy out for walks.

Advice! If you walk your Pomeranian in the spring, treat it against ticks! Apply drops to the withers, which the veterinarian will recommend, or buy special shampoos or a collar. After walks, carefully inspect your dog for parasites. If you find a tick, go to the vet immediately.

Pomeranian Spitz price

Gender and size of the dog. The most valuable and expensive dogs of this breed are small in size. A Spitz dog of miniature size will cost more than a large representative of the popular breed. According to standards, the length and height of the dog must be the same in value. This is a factor that determines the external attractiveness of a pet. The most common colors are white, cream and black.

Pomeranian Spitz price practically does not depend on the gender of the animal. This factor is determined by the preferences of the future owner of the animal. It should be noted the main differences in the behavior and appearance of male and female pets:

• It is erroneous to say that males have thicker hair (in fact, this is due to the renewal of the female’s hair after the birth of offspring);
• females most often have an affectionate character and show great affection;
• males are distinguished by leadership behavior, especially among other dogs.

Regardless of the differences between the sexes, only the future owner of the dog should determine the gender of the pet. In some cases, the Pomeranian Spitz price turns out to be higher when it comes to purchasing a female. Nurseries explain this by saying that females are more graceful and small, so the price of dwarf Spitz girls is higher. In addition, females can be of great value for further breeding of animals.

Dwarf Pomeranian Spitz price may increase if there is a large pedigree of the animal. The regalia of the dog’s ancestors will increase its value several times (awards and achievements at various exhibitions are taken into account).

Table of height and weight of Pomeranian puppies by month

Weight of puppies at birth (in grams)

Month	A week	70 – 80	90 – 100	110 – 120	125 – 140	145 – 170
1	2	145 – 160	180 – 200	210 – 250	280 – 350	370 – 410
	4	200 – 230	250 – 310	330 – 370	450 – 550	560 – 650
2	6	250 – 320	330 – 420	430 – 470	550 – 670	670 – 850
	8	310 – 370	430 – 550	550 – 600	650 – 820	860 – 1050
3	10	370 – 450	540 – 630	650 – 700	790 – 960	1050 – 1200
	13	460 – 580	670 – 800	800 – 900	1000 – 1300	1400 – 1550
4	15	550 – 650	750 – 900	900 – 1050	1100 – 1450	1450 – 1700
	17	600 – 750	850 – 1000	1000 – 1170	1300 – 1600	1700 – 1900
5	19	650 – 820	960 – 1100	1100 – 1300	1400 – 1750	1900 – 2100
	21	700 – 800	1000 – 1250	1250 – 1400	1500 – 1850	2000 – 2200
6	23	750 – 950	1000 – 1300	1300 – 1500	1600 – 2000	2200 – 2400
	26	750 – 980	1100 – 1300	1300 – 1600	1700 – 2100	2200 – 2500
1.5 years		1000 – 1300	1400 — 1700	1700 — 2000	2100 — 2500	2700 – 3000
		Dwarf	Small		Average	Big

The data given in the table is approximate, so you should focus on the puppy’s appetite and general well-being.

From all of the above, it follows that the Pomeranian Spitz, although it requires constant care, is no more than other small breeds. The main thing is to feed your dog foods that are healthy for development and growth, follow the correct feeding regimen, walk a lot and devote as much time as possible to your furry pet.