Leonberger vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison

Leonberger vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed ComparisonBoth German Spitz (Klein) and Leonberger are originated from Germany. German Spitz (Klein) may grow 52 cm / 20 inches shorter than Leonberger. German Spitz (Klein) may weigh 67 kg / 147 pounds lesser than Leonberger. German Spitz (Klein) may live 5 years more than Leonberger. German Spitz (Klein) may have less litter size than Leonberger. Both German Spitz (Klein) and Leonberger requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
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Germany
Germany
Height Male:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
6 - 14
Size:
Small
Giant
Other Names:
Deutscher Spitz Klein
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
Colors Available:
black or mixture of these, Fawn, reddish, brown, cream
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
Coat:
Long, dense and straight
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

leonbergerHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

Description

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.

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

Characteristics

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.

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

Health Problems

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.

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

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.

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Leonberger vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Leonberger vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Leonberger vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Leonberger vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Leonberger vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Leonberger vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Leonberger vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Leonberger vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Leonberger vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Leonberger vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Leonberger vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Leonberger vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Leonberger vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Leonberger vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Leonberger vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Leonberger vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Leonberger vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Leonberger vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Leonberger vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Leonberger vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Leonberger vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Leonberger vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Leonberger vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Leonberger vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Leonberger vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. German Spitz (Klein) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. German Spitz (Klein) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. German Spitz (Klein) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  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