¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The German Spitz – Mittelspitz is the medium-sized variety of German Spitz. It is a lively, alert and quick-learning companion that forms a close bond with its family and naturally notices what is happening around the home. It is best suited to someone who appreciates an attentive dog and is prepared to teach calm behaviour and manage barking from the outset.
- Breed group: Group 5, Spitz and primitive types
- Origin: Germany
- Variety: One of five German Spitz varieties
- Height at the withers: 35 cm with a tolerance of 5 cm in either direction, giving a range of 30–40 cm
- Weight: The breed standard does not specify a fixed weight range; weight should be appropriate for the dog's size
- Coat: A double coat with a long, straight outer coat and a short, dense undercoat
- Daily life: Active and keen to learn, with low hunting drive according to the breed standard but a pronounced watchful nature
The Mittelspitz is larger than the Kleinspitz and smaller than the Grossspitz. It is a distinct size variety and should not be judged by the Pomeranian's measurements or appearance. For a prospective owner, noise levels, coat care and the ability to provide worthwhile activity matter more than the size of the home.
¶Appearance & Coat
The German Spitz – Mittelspitz should be compact and square in outline, with body length equal to height at the withers. The head tapers towards the nose and has a fox-like appearance. The eyes should be dark and almond-shaped, while the ears are small, triangular and erect. The profusely coated tail is carried high over the back.
The official height is 35 cm, plus or minus 5 cm. This gives a range of 30–40 cm, rather than 32–36 cm or other narrower figures that are sometimes quoted. The standard gives no fixed ideal weight in kilograms. An adult should instead have a weight and body condition suited to its height, build and muscle mass.
In Sweden, matings are permitted between the Mittelspitz and the adjacent Grossspitz or Kleinspitz varieties. Following such a mating, the offspring are registered as the variety of the larger parent. Final registration by size takes place after an official measurement once the dog is over 15 months old. It is therefore worth asking how large the parents and their fully grown close relatives actually are.
The coat has two distinct layers. The outer coat is long, straight and should stand away from the body. The undercoat is short, thick and dense. The hair forms a ruff around the neck and shoulders, with ample feathering on the backs of the hind legs. The coat should not be wavy, curly or shaggy, and should not look as though it has been shaped by clipping.
Accepted colours are black, brown, white, orange and grey-shaded, together with several colours grouped as “other colours” in the standard: orange-sable, cream, cream-sable, black and tan, black and silver, brown and tan, and parti-colour. A parti-coloured dog should have a white base with patches in a single colour accepted by the standard. Colours not described in the standard are disqualifying in the show ring.
Thoroughly combing the coat from the skin outwards about once a week is a useful starting point. More frequent grooming may be needed when the undercoat is being shed. The breed does shed, although loose hair is often most noticeable during distinct moulting periods. Introduce handling early and pay particular attention behind the ears, through the ruff, on the legs and beneath the tail.
The standard permits a tidy appearance but not a clipped-to-shape outline. Before considering any substantial trimming, ask the breeder to demonstrate the tools and technique suited to that particular coat.
¶Temperament & Personality
A typical Mittelspitz is attentive, lively, devoted to its owner and highly trainable. The breed standard also describes a natural reserve towards strangers and low hunting drive. In everyday life, its watchfulness often means that it reacts quickly to people, animals or noises outside the home.
This does not mean that every Mittelspitz behaves alike. The Swedish Kennel Club's BPH behavioural assessment analysis shows considerable variation among the German Spitz dogs assessed. On average, the Mittelspitz group was relatively secure and seldom reacted aggressively during social encounters, but some dogs barely greeted a stranger while others greeted very intensely. A small number of assessments were stopped because the dogs were afraid. Rather than asking only whether the parents are “friendly”, ask how they respond to visitors, sudden noises, handling and unfamiliar environments, and how quickly they recover after being startled.
Barking is a central practical consideration. A Mittelspitz that raises the alarm when something happens is displaying a typical breed trait, but the warning need not continue for a long time. Reward quiet behaviour, teach the dog to go to a designated place when someone comes to the door, and limit opportunities to monitor every movement outside the window. This is not the right breed if you need a dog that is almost always silent.
The breed can live happily with children when interactions are calm and respectful. Young children and dogs should always be supervised by an adult, and the dog needs a resting place where it will be left undisturbed. Relatively low hunting drive may make living with other animals easier, but it does not guarantee that every individual will be safe with cats or small pets. Make introductions gradually and provide secure, separate areas.
¶Training & Exercise
The Mittelspitz needs daily physical exercise and mental stimulation, but no fixed number of hours will suit every dog. A youngster, a fit adult and a senior require different levels of exertion. Adjust walks and activities to the dog's age, fitness, health and ability to settle afterwards.
The breed may enjoy scent work, tracking, rally obedience, agility, heelwork to music, obedience and trick training. A good routine need not involve competition, but the dog benefits from tasks that allow it to sniff, think and work with its owner. Balance activity with calm walks and planned rest instead of trying to tire the dog through constant excitement.
Early priorities include:
- settling quietly by the door and windows and in response to noises in shared hallways
- recall and responsiveness, even though the breed generally has relatively low hunting drive
- walking on a loose lead and maintaining contact around people and dogs
- accepting the handling of paws, coat, mouth and ears
- learning to lie down and rest when nothing is happening
Reward-based training gives the dog clear information without fear or pain. Notice and reward moments of calm, make the desired behaviour easy to choose and increase distractions gradually. If the dog has already started barking, first create distance or block its view of the trigger; you can then practise an alternative response.
¶Health
The German Spitz – Mittelspitz is described as a generally healthy and robust breed, but patellar luxation and inherited eye conditions are two areas monitored by the Swedish breed club. A puppy buyer should ask for the actual examination results rather than accepting a general statement that the parents have been “health tested”.
Patellar luxation means that the kneecap can move out of its normal position. Some dogs show no obvious signs, while others may be lame or occasionally skip a step with one hind leg. The Swedish breed club recommends that both parents have normal kneecaps. Ask to see the official patella result for each parent and check that the dog's identity matches the result.
The club also recommends an eye examination with no findings before breeding. An official eye examination is carried out by a vet with specific expertise, and the result is recorded centrally by the Swedish Kennel Club. It may identify clinical eye changes present at the time of examination, but a result with no findings is not a promise that the dog will never develop an eye problem. Ask whether eye disease has also occurred in older close relatives.
The Swedish Kennel Club's registration rules for 2026 do not require a breed-specific patella or eye examination before a Mittelspitz litter can be registered. The breed club's recommendations therefore go beyond the binding breed-specific registration requirements. A puppy registered with the Swedish Kennel Club does not automatically have two parents with the results recommended by the club.
Ask the breeder to show you:
- the official patella result for each parent
- the eye examination report, including its date and complete assessment
- information about knees, eyes, skin and coat in fully grown close relatives
- BPH behavioural assessment results, if either parent or close relatives have been assessed
¶History & Origins
The German Spitz – Mittelspitz is a German variety within the FCI breed German Spitz. The FCI definitively recognised the German Spitz in 1957, and the current standard divides the breed into the Wolfspitz, Grossspitz, Mittelspitz, Kleinspitz and Zwergspitz.
The breed standard repeats an older theory that German Spitz dogs descend from Stone Age peat dogs and from the Spitz dogs of later lake-dwelling cultures. The standard says that the breed is “said to descend” from these dogs. This is therefore best read as a traditional account of its background, not as an uninterrupted and fully documented pedigree extending back to the Stone Age.
The German parent breed club describes the medium-sized Spitz as the size long kept by craftspeople, small farmers and carters, who used the dogs as watchful guardians of the farm and home. The Mittelspitz gained its own place in the German Spitz standard in 1969. Today it is primarily kept as a companion and activity dog, but its watchful nature remains.
¶Living with the Breed
A Mittelspitz can live in a flat or a house provided it receives daily activity, rest and training to remain calm around sounds. In a building with poor sound insulation, it is important to consider before buying how the dog will be prevented from monitoring the communal hallway, windows and front door throughout the day. A large garden will neither solve barking nor replace shared walks and purposeful activities.
Time alone must be introduced gradually once the dog feels secure at home. A well-prepared adult dog can usually remain alone for a few hours, but individuals differ considerably and a young puppy should not be left alone. A dog that becomes distressed, barks continuously or cannot settle needs shorter training steps and more company.
Expect to groom the coat weekly and to comb it more often while the undercoat is being shed. Handling practice should involve the whole dog, not only its back. Check the skin, knees, paws, claws, ears and teeth at the same time so that changes can be noticed early.
The breed suits someone who wants an alert dog that stays close to its family and enjoys training, and who accepts that its watchful nature needs active guidance. It is a poorer match if silence, a very low need for activity or minimal coat care is essential. Choose a breeder on the strength of documented knee and eye results, stable adult relatives and open information about barking and fears, rather than colour or a fluffy puppy coat alone.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 2/5 |
| Child Friendly | 5/5 |
| Energy | 5/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 4/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 4/5 |
| Learning Ability | 3/5 |
| Barking Level | 4/5 |
| Height | 32 – 36 cm |
| Weight | 8 – 12 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 13 – 17 years |
¶German Spitz – Mittelspitz price
Here you can see typical asking prices for German Spitz – Mittelspitz in Sweden over the last 12 months.
The calculation is based on valid Get a Pet listings from the last 12 months, including active and expired listings. These are asking prices, not confirmed sale prices.
¶Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical temperament of a German Spitz Mittelspitz in a family home?
This breed is usually lively, alert and people focused, often forming a very close bond with its main caregiver. They are affectionate with family and can be reserved or vocal with strangers, which makes early socialization important. With children they tend to do best when kids are respectful and interactions are supervised.
How much exercise does a Mittelspitz really need each day?
Despite their moderate size, they are an active and energetic breed that usually needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of varied exercise daily. Brisk walks combined with off leash play in safe areas and short training or puzzle games help meet both physical and mental needs. Without enough activity they can become noisy or develop nuisance behaviors.
Are Mittelspitze prone to barking and how can this be managed?
They are naturally watchful and tend to bark readily at unfamiliar sounds or movement. Consistent training to teach a quiet cue, controlled exposure to normal household noises and ensuring adequate exercise can reduce excessive barking. Management such as closing blinds or using white noise may also help in busy environments.
What grooming does the Mittelspitz double coat require and how much does it shed?
Their harsh outer coat with dense undercoat sheds year round, with heavier seasonal shedding. Brushing two to three times a week is usually enough to prevent matting, with daily brushing during coat blows. They do not need trimming of the body coat, only basic hygiene tidying of feet, hocks and around the anus if necessary.
What health problems are most common in the German Spitz Mittelspitz?
The breed is generally robust but can be predisposed to patellar luxation, eye conditions such as PRA and cataracts and occasional dental crowding due to muzzle shape. Some lines may also show endocrine issues like hypothyroidism. Responsible breeders screen breeding dogs for knees, eyes and sometimes thyroid function to reduce risk.
Is a Mittelspitz a good choice for apartment living?
They can live comfortably in an apartment if their exercise needs are met and barking is carefully managed. Their small to medium size and adaptability suit indoor life, but thin walls and high foot traffic can trigger frequent alert barking. Consistent training, mental enrichment and calm routines make apartment living more successful.
How well do Mittelspitze get along with other dogs and pets?
Most are sociable with other dogs when socialized from puppyhood, though some can be somewhat bossy or reactive if allowed to practice barking at dogs. They often coexist well with cats they are raised with, but their quick, alert nature can encourage chasing of small, fast moving animals. Controlled introductions and ongoing supervision are important.
How intelligent is the Mittelspitz and how easy are they to train?
:¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare German Spitz – Mittelspitz with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
