German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison

German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Kelpie - Breed ComparisonAustralian Kelpie is originated from Australia but German Spitz (Klein) is originated from Germany. Australian Kelpie may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than German Spitz (Klein). Australian Kelpie may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than German Spitz (Klein). Both Australian Kelpie and German Spitz (Klein) has same life span. Both Australian Kelpie and German Spitz (Klein) has almost same litter size. Both Australian Kelpie and German Spitz (Klein) requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
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Australia
Germany
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
1 - 5
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Kelpie, Barb
Deutscher Spitz Klein
Colors Available:
Many Colours, from solids to bi-colours - tan, fawn, blue, red, black, chocolate
black or mixture of these, Fawn, reddish, brown, cream
Coat:
short and dense
Long, dense and straight
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

australian kelpieThe energetic Kelpie came into being around 1870, with this working dog breed having a role to play with the herding of sheep in the harsh Australian outback.The sheep and wool industry in Australia has always been big business, and Australian ranchers were looking for a tough dog that could cope with sheep but also cope with the harsh environment.

These are adaptable dogs too and their ancestors include the Coley or Collie, a British herding-type dog, the English- and the Australian Shepherd and the Dingo. In fact it is believed that up to 4% of their genes comes from the Dingo. These adaptable dogs were also brought to North America where they quickly adapted to the different climate and different livestock.

The Australian Kelpie isn’t your regular pet as they are essentially an outdoor, working dog. They are recognized today by the United Kennel Club and registered by the North American Australian Kelpie Registry.

german spitz kleinAlso referred to as the Miniature Spitz, the German Spitz is believed to have descended from the Nordic Samoyed and Lapphund. Some dog experts say they were developed from the larger European Spitz, and that they were once referred to as Pomeranians.

It is also thought that these dogs were in all likelihood brought over to Germany during the Middle Ages. This gives you an idea as to how ancient the breed is. There are actually 4 different Spitz breeds, divided by their sizes.

The dogs were originally used as herding and guard dogs, but today you could say that this toy breed is essentially a companion dog.

Description

The Coat

australian kelpie puppy - descriptionThe Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a coat that comes in a number of colours – black, chocolate, fawn, red, blue, tan, white and gold. . The nose colour blends in with the dog’s coat colour and can be black, brownish and even pinkish.

A Sharp, Intelligent Look

The Kelpie has a medium-length tail which is low-set. The ears are pricked, giving the dog an intelligent, alert appearance. The dog’s head is also narrow and long, and his eyes are bright and inquisitive.

Lithe and Athletic

The Australian Kelpie has an athletic appearance, with a body which is longer than their height, similar to that of a German Shepherd. Because the Australian Kelpie is such an energetic, active breed, he’ll need plenty of ‘jobs to do’, lots of ball games and other exercise to keep him free from boredom and to ensure he maintains his lithe, lean, muscular limbs.

german spitz klein puppy - descriptionClassified as a toy breed, the German Spitz Klein looks like a small fox with his thick fur. He stands at between 23 – 28cm in height and he weighs 5 to 10kg.

He has a sharp foxy face with small pointed upright ears and dark, bright eyes.

The double coat of the dog which can be fawn, cream, reddish, brown or black or a mixture of these colors, is straight, vibrant and off-standing to look at. He has a soft woolly undercoat. The tail of the dog curls up over the back.

Temperament:

The German Spitz Klein has got such a bright little face. He is a social, friendly dog, forming a strong bond with his human family. He is a smart dog too and can be easily trained.

Lively and independent, he is bold and adventurous. Even with a small dog like this, he will do well to be trained and socialized as he just becomes a better dog -obedient and relaxed around strange people and dogs.

Because of his size, he adapts well to life in the city or in the countryside. This is also because he doesn’t require a lot of exercise. The litter size for the German Spitz Klein is between 1 and 5 puppies.

Characteristics

Friend of Children

australian kelpie dog - characteristicsThe Australian Kelpie is an active, busy, intelligent, loving breed who is highly protective of his human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home but you’ll want him trained if you want him to be gentle around children and smaller pets. He does tend to gravitate towards one particular family member as his ‘favourite’ though.

He Must be Busy

Your Kelpie won't do well in an apartment as he is a working dog who wants plenty of place to run and play. If he is bored, it manifests itself with constant barking. Make sure to provide a stimulating, active lifestyle for your Australian Kelpie, provide him with everything a dog needs and you’ll be rewarded with a devoted and loyal companion.

german spitz klein dog - characteristicsThis litle dog is seriously a case of ‘dynamite in a small package’. Bold, daring, brave, spunky, clever, playful and friendly, your confident little German Spitz Klein makes most families the perfect pet and companion.

Give him the love and attention he deserves, especially because he is undemanding and low maintenance, and with good care you’re going to have a most adoring companion for more than a decade.

Health Problems

A Healthy Breed

australian kelpie puppies - health problemsYour Australian Kelpie is a hardy breed and you won’t find many health problems with him. Yes, every dog is susceptible to illnesses which are common with all dog breeds, and these are illnesses such as hip dysplasia and cryptorchidism.

You will need to check your Kelpie out for eye disease such as PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, a group of genetic diseases which are found in some breeds of dogs. This can lead to cataracts and blindness.

Lifestyle and Environment Impact Health

Health problems in your Australian Kelpie can certainly be partially prevented by the way you feed your dog and by the environment you provide him with. Every dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but as we’ve said, the Kelpie is a generally healthy breed.

Always find a reputable breeder whose focus is on breeding healthy dogs and who can provide certification that the parents of the dog are clear of defects and are in tip-top condition for breeding.

Puppy Vaccinations

Along with quality food and fresh water, getting your puppy vaccinated is hugely important. Australian Kelpie puppy shots will protect your new 4-legged family member from the likes of distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis. Your puppy will also need additional booster vaccinations after his first shots which start at around 8 weeks of age.

german spitz klein puppies - health problemsYou’ve got a pretty healthy little dog breed but be that as it may, it doesn’t make him totally immune to some of the common dog diseases there are. With him, you might want to look out for eye disease and epilepsy.

Glaucoma:

Glaucoma occurs when there is pressure in the eye. Your dog will have pain, red eyes, dilated pupils, increased tear production and corneal cloudiness. You want to have him at the vet for this because putting off treatment can lead to blindness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

This is a condition that can gradually lead to blindness even though the eyes look normal. Difficulty with seeing at night is one symptom. Fortunately the condition is painless and your dog finds ways to cope with the problem.

It is always a good idea when you suspect anything wrong with your pet, to get him to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

australian kelpie dogs - caringAustralian Kelpies are low maintenance and their coat is easy to groom and maintain. You want to give him a good brush twice a week to get rid of loose hair. Australian Kelpies are moderate shedders.

Feeding your Kelpie

It is important to get your puppy off on the right foot to avoid health problems later on. Homemade dog food which includes chicken, rice and vegetables is always the best food for your dog. If you can't prepared your own meals for your Kelpie, top grade commercial dog food brands are recommended.

When looking at dog foods, remember that your Kelpie is a working dog – a naturally active breed and you’ll need to look at dog food which has been specially formulated for active dogs. Every dog will need raw meat in their diet if you want to avoid a dog with an itchy, flaky skin, a dog with poor energy levels and a dog that has no resistance to infection.

Training

Every owner who cares for their dog will provide him with socialization and training. The Australian Kelpie is an intelligent breed who responds well to training.

Diet:

german spitz klein dogs - caringAs a feisty small-sized dog breed, your foxy little German Spitz Klein needs to get the very best food there is. If you are going to feed him a high-quality commercial dog food, make sure to read the ingredients on the packaging and buy him food according to his size and age. Mix in some home-made food from time to time and always ensure he has constant access to cool, fresh drinking water.

Grooming:

He has a fairly long, thick coat, so a good brush twice a week will be adequate. While you’re brushing him, check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Always check his teeth and brush them a couple of times a week too. Bad teeth can cause a host of problems, not only with the teeth, but other parts of the body too.

Exercise:

He is an active, jaunty little dog that loves all kinds of games. Being a small breed, he isn’t going to be the kind of dog that you need to include in your jogging or cycling trips, but he is no couch potato, and he will love to go on a walk with you, and it also does him good to get out and about for a change of scenery.

Comparison with other breeds

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  9. Australian Kelpie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Australian Kelpie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Australian Kelpie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  26. German Spitz (Klein) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. German Spitz (Klein) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
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  29. German Spitz (Klein) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. German Spitz (Klein) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. German Spitz (Klein) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. German Spitz (Klein) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spitz (Klein) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spitz (Klein) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spitz (Klein) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spitz (Klein) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. German Spitz (Klein) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spitz (Klein) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spitz (Klein) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. German Spitz (Klein) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. German Spitz (Klein) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. German Spitz (Klein) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. German Spitz (Klein) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Klein) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Klein) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Klein) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Spitz (Klein) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. German Spitz (Klein) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. German Spitz (Klein) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. German Spitz (Klein) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison