Indian Spitz

Indian Spitz
Origin
India
Notes Recognized by The Kennel Club of India (KCI).
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Indian Spitz is a spitz-type dog breed belonging to the Utility Dog group. It is very similar to the German Spitz in appearance but is roughly 1.5-2.5 inches shorter at the withers and weighs around 10-15 lbs less.

The Indian Spitz was one of the most popular dogs in India in the 1980s and the 1990s when India's import rules made it very difficult to import dogs of other breeds.

The Indian Spitz is often called Pomeranian though the two breeds are very different. The confusion arises from the fact that both breeds belong to the Spitz family, along with the Elk-Hound, German Spitz, Samoyed, Finnish Spitz, and many others.

The Indian Spitz was introduced in India by the British who began breeding them from a stock of German Spitzes. Years of breeding produced the ideal dog type which was suited to the plains of India and was capable of withstanding India's sultry climate. These Spitzes resembled Samoyeds and German Spitzes but had less thick coats and were smaller in size, which was ideal for the conditions.

Though they are not recognized by any major Kennel Club, The Indian Spitz is identified as a separate Indian Breed by the Kennel Club of India. It has now been working to establish the Indian Spitz as a separate breed at other Kennel Clubs around the world.

Generally Indian Spitzes are divided into two: the Smaller Indian Spitz/Lesser Indian Spitz (Roughly 5–7 kg [11–15 lb] in weight and 22–25 cm [8 1⁄2–10 in] at the withers) and the Greater Indian Spitz (Roughly 12–20 kg (26–44 lb) in weight and 35–45 cm (14–17 1⁄2 in) at the withers). The Indian Spitz is generally Milky White but can also be found in solid colours like Black, Dusky Brown and sometimes (very rarely) a hybrid of black and white (similar to the Dalmatian).

Most have a lifespan between 10 and 14 years; however some have been known to live up to 16 years of age.

Behavior

The Indian Spitz is an extremely bright and active dog breed. It is adaptable to living in a small apartment, but it can also thrive in a large farmhouse with equal ease. It is also counted among one of the most intelligent dog breeds. It can easily learn various tricks in less than the average time, and has a unique ability to understand human intentions. Its diet is also extremely adaptable and can include anything from milk, rice and yogurt to a diet of rice and chicken.

4.5 years old Indian spitz
Indian spitz-outdoor
A two-year-old golden brown Indian Spitz
Indian spitz can very well adapt to household surroundings.

Differences between the Pomeranian and indian Spitz

  • The Pomeranian is a toy breed. It is much lighter than even a Lesser Indian Spitz, both in height and weight, which typically weighs less than 10 pounds and is rarely over 12 inches in height.
  • The Pomeranian has a much flatter face than an Indian Spitz, which has a more conical snout.
  • The coat of a Pomeranian is generally much denser and thicker. It is often difficult to see individual hairs. However, an Indian Spitz's coat is much less dense and it is much easier to see the individual hair follicles.
  • The Pomeranian's ears are generally not as pointed or elongated as that of an Indian Spitz.

References

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