All 50+ Spitz dog breeds with pictures [2024] –

The top group includes some very different breeds and is therefore difficult to describe in general terms. Spitz dog breeds include:

As a rule, Spitz are suitable as domestic dogs, among other things, and have thick fur, often pointed ears and an upwardly curved tail. [1, 2]

Then let's take a closer look at the breeds.

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#1 Akita

The Akita has its origins in Japan and was originally used there primarily to hunt large wild animals. However, he is now also a popular family dog.

This Spitz dog breed also has up to 12 puppies at a time. The four-legged friends are considered faithful, gentle, loyal and have a strong hunting instinct. [3]

Fun fact: Akitas fight like bears. They stand on their hind paws and use their front paws for boxing.

#2 Alaskan Husky

The Alaskan Husky comes from the USA, where it was bred specifically to work as a sled dog. For this reason he was specifically crossed with hunting dogs and greyhounds. [4]

In addition, this Spitz dog breed is considered to be very trusting, playful, loyal and devoted. They are also particularly easy to train and rarely bark.

Fun fact: These dogs can run at around 25 km/h up to around 240 kilometers per day. That's the equivalent of running a full 6 marathons per day at 3 times the speed of the average runner.

#3 Alaskan Klee Klai

The Alaskan Klee Klai comes from the USA and comes in three different sizes (2-10 kg). This species has only been around since the 1970s – so they are relatively new. [5]

This Spitz dog breed is known for its bright blue eyes and is particularly talkative. The animals also need a lot of exercise and are very curious.

Fun fact: Since this breed visually resembles Husky puppies, they are also called “Husky Lite”.

#4 American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog was bred specifically to serve as a domestic dog. It's no surprise that he loves attention and children.

This Spitz dog breed is also considered to be very friendly, playful and lively. They are also suitable as guard, shepherd and hunting dogs. [6]

Fun fact: The “American” Eskimo Dog has its origins in America… Nope, you thought wrong! This breed originally comes from Germany.

#5 Chow Chow

The Chow Chow comes from China and is best known there for its black and blue tongue. Originally they were mostly used as working and sled dogs. [7]

But be careful – these Spitz dog breeds can be very protective and even react aggressively towards other dogs. Many companies therefore refuse to insure this type.

Fun fact: This breed was bred in China more than 4,000 years ago. You might think that they can now eat with chopsticks.

#6 Danish Spitz

Charliecatnip & Charliecatnip, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Danish Spitz was previously colloquially called the “nanny dog” because it is particularly tolerant and patient with children.

In addition, this Spitz dog breed has a very special coat. Because it not only keeps you warm in winter, but also has a cooling effect in summer. [8]

Fun fact: You’ve probably seen a cat do the so-called “cat hump”. Well, since the bottom of the Danish Spitz is positioned particularly high, it often looks as if the animals are doing a “dog hump”.

#7 Eurasians

The Eurasier has its origins in Germany and is particularly known for its great loyalty to the family. Among other things, he also serves as a therapy and guide dog. [9]

In addition, this Spitz dog breed lives up to 16 years and is considered particularly self-confident, calm and alert. These four-legged friends are also easy to train.

Fun fact: When Eurasiers play with dogs of other breeds, they are usually the first to lie on the floor exhausted after a while.

#8 Finnish Lapphund

Although the Finnish Lapphund was originally used primarily as a reindeer shepherd, it is also equally suitable as a domestic dog. [10]

This Spitz dog breed is very popular in its Finnish homeland – but internationally they are rather rare. In addition, they are considered to be very calm, curious and trusting.

Fun fact: If this breed does not get enough exercise, they often tend to bark constantly. This also explains her nickname as “Yap”.

#9 Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz was originally bred to hunt small and large game animals. However, the animals are relatively rare outside of Finland. [11]

In addition, this Spitz dog breed is also known as “King of the Barkers”. The reason? These four-legged friends can bark up to 160 times per minute.

Fun fact: Most dogs wag their tails when they are happy. The Finnish Spitz, on the other hand, prefers to go around in circles several times.

#10 Greenland Dog

The Greenland Dog once served primarily as a working and sled dog. In order to keep the breed pure, the import of foreign breeds into Greenland was banned. [12]

Although this Spitz dog breed is described as friendly and loyal, it is less suitable as a family dog. They also need very strict leadership in order to obey.

Fun fact: This breed has one thing in common with wolves – their alpha instinct. Specifically, this means: You will only obey one person. They safely ignore other family members.

#11 Large Spitz

At around 18 kg, the Großspitz is the second largest type of German Spitz – but is considered an independent breed. They are also one of the 30 most popular breeds worldwide. [13]

In addition, this Spitz dog breed is considered to be very active, caring and devoted. They can be used as shepherds, guards and family dogs.

Fun fact: Many Great Spitz sleep with a slight smile on their lips. They are therefore considered particularly photogenic and “Instagram-worthy”.

#12 Hällefors Elkhound

The Hällefors Elkhound originally comes from Sweden, where it was primarily used to hunt moose. According to a DNA test, he also has genes from a wolf hybrid.

In addition, this Spitz dog breed is very rare. There is therefore hardly any information about it online even today. However, he is less suitable as a family dog. [14]

Fun fact: When kept in packs, these dogs develop the same hierarchy as wolves. There is an Alpha, several Betas and finally the lowest ranked dogs called “Omegas”.

#13 Hokkaido

The Hokkaido originally comes from Japan and served there as a family, hunting and guard dog. Among other things, it was also used to hunt bears.

In addition, this Spitz dog breed's sense of direction is so well developed that they can almost always find their way home, even from foreign areas. [15]

Fun fact: These dogs can bark for different lengths of time – short, medium and long. And when they are happy, they often howl like wolves.

#14 Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz is the ideal dog for practicing numerous tricks. Because these four-legged friends are not only very eager and athletic, but also learn particularly quickly.

This Spitz dog breed is also available in two different sizes, weighing around 6 and 16 kg. The fur is usually completely white. Rarely, they also have occasional spots. [16]

Fun fact: Spin in a circle, walk on your hind legs or even do a backflip? No trick seems to be too difficult for these dogs.

#15 Icelandic Dog

The Icelandic Dog is the only breed that comes from Iceland. In addition, the dogs are rather rare with around 5,000 specimens worldwide. [17]

This Spitz dog breed is also considered to be very curious, happy and playful. They also generally get along particularly well with children and are therefore often kept as house dogs.

Fun fact: Since these dogs used to protect young sheep from birds of prey as sheepdogs, they still look at the sky particularly often today.

#16 Yakut Laika

Although the Yakutian Laika comes from Russia, it is now most commonly found in Texas. The four-legged friends once served primarily as working dogs.

This Spitz dog breed is also known for particularly enjoying being surrounded by other dogs. They also have particularly well developed senses. [18]

Fun fact: These four-legged friends not only serve as sled dogs, but are also often used as an “engine” for normal bicycles.

#17 Jämthund

The Jämthund originally comes from Sweden. In his homeland he was used for hunting and guarding as well as as a family dog ​​breed. [19]

This Spitz dog breed is also very loyal, calm and trusting towards the family. On the other hand, they tolerate strange dogs less – especially not in their territory.

Fun fact: Deep holes and gnawed pieces of furniture – that's what you can expect if you don't give these dogs enough exercise.

#18 Japanese Spitz

From the beginning, the Japanese Spitz was primarily used as a companion and family dog. The small dogs can also live up to 16 years. [20]

In addition, this Spitz dog breed is known for its trainability, obedience and intelligence. They are also ideal for living in apartments.

Fun fact: This breed is the only one whose coat is described as “Teflon-like”. Because of its structure, it has a non-stick effect, meaning dirt hardly sticks.

#19 Kai

The Kai comes from Japan, where it is used as a guard, family and hunting dog, among other things. It is also called the “tiger dog” because of its coat pattern.

However, this Spitz dog breed is considered relatively rare both in its home country and internationally. They are also considered very alert, courageous, intelligent and loyal. [21]

Fun fact: Puppies of this breed are solid colored…