The German Spitz in France is bred in five size varieties, from the tiny Pomeranian type up to the large Wolfspitz, all covered by a single FCI standard, number 97. The variety determines adult weight, exercise needs and, to some extent, the health questions worth raising with a breeder. Coat and character are broadly consistent across the sizes: a double coat, an alert voice, and a strong attachment to one household.
How do the Spitz varieties and sizes differ?
The breed is divided by height and weight rather than by function, and the divisions are recognised internationally. The smallest is the Pomeranian, often called the dwarf or miniature Spitz, followed by the small, the medium, the large, and finally the Wolfspitz or Keeshond. In France, breeders and owners commonly use the French size names: nain, petit, moyen, grand and loup.
What changes most between them is scale and the practical consequences of scale. A nain may weigh under three kilograms and fit comfortably in a flat, while a grand or a loup can reach eighteen kilograms or more and needs considerably more daily exercise and space. The larger varieties also tend to be calmer and less vocal in the home, though this is a tendency rather than a rule. A French-language guide to the breed, German Spitz varieties in France, sets out the five formats alongside the standard and the health questions that adoptants raise most often.
Coat colour and texture vary by variety as well. The Wolfspitz is always grey shaded, while the smaller varieties appear in a wider range of solid colours and markings. All of them carry the same dense double coat: a soft, short undercoat beneath a long, straight, harsh topcoat that stands away from the body.
What does the FCI standard describe in the breed?
FCI standard number 97 is the document that defines what a German Spitz should look like, and it is the reference a judge or a breeder works from. It describes a dog that is slightly longer than tall, with a fox-like head, a pointed muzzle and a distinct stop. The eyes are medium-sized, oval, dark and set obliquely. The ears are small, triangular, set high and carried erect. The tail is set high, of medium length, and curls forward over the back, covered by the long outer coat.
The standard also specifies the double coat in detail, including the ruff around the neck and the feathering on the forelimbs and hindquarters. It lists the accepted colours and, importantly, the faults. Undershot or overshot mouths, missing teeth and incorrect ear carriage are all noted as deviations. For an adoptant, the practical value of the standard is that it gives a shared vocabulary: when a breeder says a dog is well within standard, there is a written document behind that claim.
Which checks should a breeder publish before a reservation?
A breeder working seriously will hold paperwork on the breeding pair, and a prospective owner is entitled to ask for it before any deposit changes hands. The relevant checks for this breed fall into three groups.
Eyes
Eye examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist is the central screening test in this breed, because inherited eye disease is documented across the Spitz family. The examination looks at the retina, the lens and the anterior segment, and the result is issued as a certificate with a date. Ask for the certificate for both parents, and check the date: an examination from several years ago may no longer reflect the dog's current status.
Joints
Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, is the orthopaedic condition most often discussed in small and medium Spitz varieties. It is assessed by manual examination and graded, and the grade is recorded. Hip scoring is also relevant in the larger varieties. A breeder should be able to state the grade for each parent rather than describe the dogs as sound.
Dentition and mouth
Missing teeth, incorrect bites and retained deciduous teeth are all recorded in this breed. A full, correctly scissored bite with a complete set of teeth is what the standard asks for. Ask whether the parents have been checked for a complete dentition, and whether any litters have shown missing teeth.
Beyond the three groups above, a breeder may hold results for skin, weight and reproductive history. None of these replace the eye and joint certificates, but they add context. The useful principle is simple: published results, with dates and issuing bodies, are worth more than assurances.
What is the character of a Spitz like at home?
The German Spitz is an alert, attached companion with a strong voice. It notices arrivals, sounds and changes in routine, and it reports them. This makes it an effective watchdog and, in some households, a noisy one. Early, consistent training around quiet behaviour matters more than it does in many other companion breeds.
The breed forms a close bond with its household and can be reserved with strangers. It generally prefers the company of its own people to that of unfamiliar dogs. It is intelligent and learns quickly, but it responds poorly to harsh handling or to rules that change from day to day. Coherence is the single most useful thing an owner can offer: the same word, the same boundary, the same response each time.
Exercise needs scale with size. A nain or petit manages well with shorter walks and indoor play, while a moyen, grand or loup needs a genuine daily outing. All varieties benefit from mental work, and all of them enjoy having something to watch over.
Preparing for adoption: what to verify and what to expect
Before reserving, an adoptant should see the dam, and ideally the sire, in person. Adult dogs visible at the breeder's premises tell you more about temperament and coat than any photograph. Ask to see the health certificates rather than a summary of them, and ask what the breeder does if a puppy develops a problem covered by the screening programme.
Price in France varies with size and with the completeness of the health documentation, and it is reasonable to ask for a written breakdown of what the price includes. A breeder who answers these questions directly, and who is willing to put the answers in writing, is usually a breeder who has nothing to hide.
Finally, consider the fit rather than the format. A loup in a small flat, or a nain left alone for long working days, will struggle regardless of how good the paperwork is. The variety should be chosen for the household that will actually live with it.