ORIGINS OF THE SPITZ

Naturalists studying the various types of the domestic dog during the last century became convinced that the lupoids, whose characteristics are found in the Spitz, descended from the artic wolf as did all the Nordic breeds.

However, the fact that similarities to the present day Spitz exist in breeds originating far from arctic and subartic regions gives validity to the theory that their origins differ from that of the Nordic breeds.

The preface of the standard of the German Spitz describes characteristics that confirms its descent from dogs found in peat areas and later from the marsh Spitz, the bones of which were studied by L. Rutimayer in DIE FAUNA DER PFAHLBAUTEN (Basle 1861).

The studies of skulls found, first carried out by Rutimayer and then by others including M.Hilzheimer, have given weight to this theory.  In the second half of the Stone Age there were considerable variations in the peat dogs of the time.  Towards the end of the era these evolved into dogs bearing the true characteristics of the breed.
Even in this period man was breeding dogs and two tendencies in the selection can be noted; the creation of ever bigger dogs on the one hand and, on the other, ever smaller breeds.

So the marsh dogs, found in the settlements in Central and Southern Europe, formed groups of true breeds characterized by a common type, such as little Spitzs, traces of which have been found in vast regions of the arctic. Far away and not bordering on the extreme North.

Apart from Europe, testimony to the presence of the Spitz has been found in Central, South and East Asia and as far as islands in the Pacific Ocean and Madagascar.  The breed was certainly known by the ancient Egyptians. Max Siber has traced their presence also to Central Africa.

Siber also discovered a fox-like dog in Sumatra.
From the same branch is the Chinese Chow Chow which conserves, albeit with some variations, the marsh dog form.
It has been painted on an Athenian jug dating from 400BC.
Another is depicted in a painting from the Micenean Age of 150BC.
Studies of bones and observations of paintings and sculptures at least 3000 years old conclude that the Spitz of the peat areas lived on, century after century, unchanged by time and from which  descended the breed that we know today.

ORIGINS OF THE WOLFSPITZ

No definite proof of the origins of the Wolfspitz exists.
Of all the Spitz, that were bred exclusively for hunting, only the Wolfspitz shows no instinct for this activity.  The Wolfspitz has never been used for hunting, employed only as guard dogs.
What follows below is taken from Anne Burnett, a specialist of the breed.

The Wolfspitz, before being included in the German breed, was for a long time included with those originating in Holland where it was called “Keeshond” and considered a national emblem - so much so that the dog lovers of this breed oppose, without success, the change in nationality of this dog.

The name by which it is known in Holland (even today) seems to come from William Cornelis van Gijselaaer, known by his followers as “Kees”, who led the revolt in Holland against the House of Orange in the seventeenth century.


He owned a large, grey Spitz that never left his side, not even during the battles. So in contrast to the Pug, the prefered dog of William of Orange, the Kees Spitz became the symbol for his followers.

Unfortunately, the defeat of the revolt had a devastating effect on the breed.  In fact, many owners of the Wolfspitz put down their dogs in fear of being associated with Kees and hence suffering retribution.

Fortunately for the breed the rural population living away from centres of habitation, boat captains and travelling pedlars who moved around the country remained faithful to the breed and in the eighteenth century its popularity returned.

Many boatmen kept a Wolfspitz as its size and rustic qualities meant that it could accompany the barges during their long journeys down the Rhine.  It was also an effective guard dog.  It became known as the Dutch Barge Dog.

At the beginning of the century an English colonel, Digby, struck by its beauty and its vivacious nature, took a pair of Keeshond back to England.  The serious breeding began only after some years from other dogs imported by Winfild Digby and Alicia Gatacre.

The dogs born in England made their debut at the Birmingham Show in 1923 and in 1926 the Wolfspitz Club was formed.

From that time on there has been a continuous improvement of the breed.  Due to its fascinating personality these dogs have spread all over the world as pets, in competitions and particularly as utility dogs.