German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dunker - Breed Comparison

German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dunker - Breed ComparisonDunker is originated from Norway but German Spitz (Mittel) is originated from Germany. Dunker may grow 17 cm / 7 inches higher than German Spitz (Mittel). Dunker may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than German Spitz (Mittel). Both Dunker and German Spitz (Mittel) has same life span. Dunker may have more litter size than German Spitz (Mittel). Dunker requires Low Maintenance. But German Spitz (Mittel) requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Companion dog
undefined
Norway
Germany
Height Male:
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
Height Female:
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Norwegian Hound
Deutscher Spitz Mittel
Colors Available:
Blue or black dappled
liver, Tan, black - mixed colors, fawn, white
Coat:
Straight and dense
Long, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

dunkerKnown as the Norwegian Hound, the Dunker hails from Norway. Bred and named after breeder Wilhelm Dunker to be a robust scenthound, Norwegian Scenthounds were crossed with a Russian Harlequin Hound because this particular dog was an excellent scent trailer and it could stand up to the freezing conditions of Norway.

The Dunker become popular in the mid-19th century in other Scandinavian countries. Hunters liked its intelligence, its robustness and its speed and strength. In 1902 a club was founded for the breed and in the same year the Norwegian Kennel Club recognized the Dunker.

The Dunker started dying out after the war, and in the late 1980s breeders of the Dunker petitioned to allow them to cross the remaining Dunkers with scenthounds. Today the dog is known in Norway but is uncommon outside Scandinavia.

german spitz mittelOriginating in Germany, the German Spitz Mittel is an alert, vigilant dog and it is these qualities that made him sought after for working on farms.

He is no new breed and is the 3rd largest of the five German Spitz varieties. It is believed that the German Spitz descended from the Northern sled and herding dogs which arrived with the Vikings into Europe. When you do research you see that the dogs are mentioned in German literature which dates way back to to 1450 already.

Description

dunker puppy - descriptionThe Dunker is a medium sized dog which stands at between 50-55cms with females being slightly smaller at 47-52cms. They usually weigh between 11-18kg and look similar to other scenthounds, being muscular and athletic.

The ears of the Dunker are floppy, the tail is long and carried straight with a bit of a curve, the nose is large and black as well as the eyes, but some dogs have light eyes which can even be blue.

The coat of the Dunker is straight and dense and this coat of his is well known for the unique color of the coat – blue or black dappled, while some dogs will have black, tan and white markings. White faces are preferred but you will find dogs with black masks.

Temperatment:

This is a non-aggressive dog and can become quite friendly when trained and socialized.

They are dogs that form strong bonds with their owners, being particularly good around children. They get on well with dogs and other pets in the home.

They’re intelligent dogs and are are easy to train. In fact, training and socialization is recommended for this dog as he does tend to be a bit stubborn.

Training ensures he is relaxed and obedient. He is an active dog and will certainly require some exercise each day. He’ll respond willingly if you call him to join you in your jogging- or cycling outings.

german spitz mittel puppy - descriptionThe German Spitz Mittel is similar in looks to the other sizes of German Spitz. The Mittel is a medium sized dog and stands between 30 and 38cm in height and weighs between 7 and 11kg. You’ll find him in solid colors such as tan, liver, white, fawn, black or a mix of these colors.

He has a soft woolly undercoat and a long outercoat with a mane-like ruff at the neck. He has a fairly long muzzle, dark eyes, sharp erect ears and a bushy tail which curls over his back.

Temperament:

Affectionate, faithful, and always happy by nature, the German Spitz Mittel is a family companion that wants to be part of everything his human family is up to. He makes a good watchdog. He is alert and has a distrust of strangers.

He gets on well with children in the home and he can also live in peace with other dogs. Because he is an intelligent dog, you won’t have much trouble with training- and socializing him, although he will require a firm, consistent owner and trainer.

Training and socialization are important as there are always some important commands such as sit, stay, come and lie down that you will want him to respond to immediately.

Characteristics

dunker dog - characteristicsThe Dunker is such a good tempered dog and he will be happy to settle in the city or the countryside with his owner.

When you look at his history, he is a hunting dog, used for hunting rabbits. Being an active breed, he is better suited to living in a home where there is at least a fair sized garden.

He isn’t a high maintenance dog either, so no special attention to grooming is required. Being a fairly healthy breed, he isn’t likely to develop any serious health issues too. This low-maintenance, undemanding Norwegian Hound makes a splendid pet.

german spitz mittel dog - characteristicsPeople who have owned a German Spitz Mittel are delighted with him, saying that he is such an easy-going, happy dog. He is social and thrives on the interaction he has with his human family.

He won’t do well if you simply put him in your backyard and forget about him, using him merely as a watchdog.

The German Spitz Mittel dog is one dog that definitely lives up to the title of man’s best friend. He is social, happy, loving, loyal, playful, entertaining and smart too, and when you treat him the way he deserves, you’ve got the most awesome friend.

Health Problems

dunker puppies - health problemsThe Dunker dog can live to reach a ripe age of 12 to 15 years. There are some health issues he may face -

Partial or Complete Loss of Hearing:

Partial or complete hearing loss can come about because of dirt or wax build-up in the ear canals. It can be because of an untreated ear infection, an injury or even old age.

Your veterinarian can examine your dog’s ear canal. Certain dog breeds such as the Dunker and others are more predisposed to deafness and you’ll find your dog responding slowly to your voice or he may be totally startled when woken.

Your vet will determine the type of treatment for your dog if an ear infection for instance is suspected. Treatment in this case may involve cleaning wax out of the ears or getting rid of overgrown ear hair.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition with your dog where bone rubs against other bone. Your Dunker dog will be in pain and his movement could be limited and he may even become lame. Get your pet to the vet because there are a number of treatment options.

Eye Problems:

Take a look at your pet’s eyes so that you’re aware of cloudiness, inflammation, discharge, a change in eye color or red eyelid lining. Take him to the vet if you suspect something serious, but in the meantime you can also gently wipe over your pet’s eyes to remove any discharge.

If you do need to bath your pet, make sure to protect his eyes before applying any lotion.

german spitz mittel puppies - health problemsGerman Spitz dogs are healthy, and when you shower him with love and attention and good food, you can expect to have him around for up to 15 years of age.

Of course, as with any other healthy dog breeds, there are always one or two common dog illnesses that your dog may get. These include hip dysplasia and eye diseases. If you notice symptoms that indicate possible joint issues with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

Patellar Luxation for instance occurs when your dog’s kneecap is dislocated. It is more common in toy breeds like the German Spitz. It can be painful for your pet and lead to lameness. If your dog has problems with his hip, it can actually force the patella out of its groove, which is a secondary condition.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

dunker dogs - caringThe Dunker is a dog with stamina and energy and he will need a walk every day as well as some other forms of vigorous exercise. The idea is to involve a dog like this in all your activities, whether you go running, swimming or cycling.

Grooming:

The Dunker isn’t going to require you to spend a lot of money on maintenance for him. A good brush-down twice a week will be adequate as he is a fairly heavy shedder and brushing him will get rid of all those loose hairs. It is also time to check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Other grooming aspects to check will include nail trimming, checking the inside of the dog’s ears for excess wax build-up and dirt.

Dental care is of major concern because teeth left unattended can result in mouth bacteria. This bacteria enters the blood stream and results in systemic infection. Sometimes the bad teeth can be so painful that a dog no longer wants to eat.

It is imperative to brush your pet’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Grooming:

german spitz mittel dogs - caringYou can help reduce loose hairs with your German Spitz by brushing his thick coat twice a week. It’s a good time to also inspect your dog for ticks and fleas.

Exercise:

Your German Spitz Mittel isn’t the most active dog, but he will still need regular exercise. Going on a walk is good for both you and him. He is a mentally sharp dog too and these walks keep him both physically- and mentally fit. He also loves ball games.

Diet:

Every dog deserves the best food, and if you feed your German Spitz Mittel with a commercially manufactured dog food, make sure its one of the top quality ones. You want to avoid foods packed with preservatives, colorants and fillers. You want dog foods with minerals and vitamins with high protein and ingredients such as Omega 3 and 6 to promote health skin.

There are also some dog foods which have ingredients in them such as polyphosphates. Ingredients like this keep your dog’s teeth clean.

Try and also give him some cooked rice, vegetables and chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat. He should never be without fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Dunker vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Dunker vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Dunker vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Dunker vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Dunker vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Dunker vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Dunker vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Dunker vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Dunker vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Dunker vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Dunker vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Dunker vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Dunker vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Dunker vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Dunker vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Dunker vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Dunker vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Dunker vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Dunker vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Dunker vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Dunker vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Dunker vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Dunker vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Dunker vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Dunker vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. German Spitz (Mittel) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. German Spitz (Mittel) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. German Spitz (Mittel) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. German Spitz (Mittel) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. German Spitz (Mittel) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. German Spitz (Mittel) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison