Russian Setter vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison

German Spitz (Mittel) is originated from Germany but Russian Setter is originated from Russia. German Spitz (Mittel) may grow 30 cm / 11 inches shorter than Russian Setter. German Spitz (Mittel) may weigh 21 kg / 46 pounds lesser than Russian Setter. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Russian Setter has almost same life span. German Spitz (Mittel) may have less litter size than Russian Setter. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Russian Setter requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Setter dog
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Germany
Russia
Height Male:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
57 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Deutscher Spitz Mittel
None
Colors Available:
liver, Tan, black - mixed colors, fawn, white
Grey, reddish-brown with some black and white
Coat:
Long, dense
Short or long, smooth or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, 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, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

People often think it is ridiculous that a Setter dog comes from Russia. It is believed that the Russians did have some kind of Griffon and the word Pointer is also often translated as Setter.

It is believed that the Russian Setter is one of the ancestors of the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon and that it possibly shared an ancestry with the German wire-haired and broken-haired pointers.

References to Russian Setters were fairly common in the 19th century, but there is such contradictory information that it is hard to get good information on the dogs. The Russian Setter is believed to have existed before the Russian Revolution resembling the English Setter. Dog experts tell us the dog no longer exists.

Description

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.

In terms of appearance, it was John Henry Walsh who said that the Russian Setter was a dog hidden by its long, woolly matted coat.It seems to have been a medium sized dog with an elegant appearance. It seems the dog came in two varieties - the curly coated liver coated dogs and the fawn colored dogs which are straight coated.

Because there is very little information on these dogs, we assume they were between 57 – 68cm in height and between 27 and 32kg in weight. The coat was no doubt in colours such as grey, reddish-brown with some black and white and shortish and wiry. The ears were floppy,and the face no doubt had some longer hair around the muzzle.

Temperament:

Nobody seems to know exactly what the temperament of this dog was, but when you look at some of his ancestors you can assume that he was strong-willed, confident and a skilled hunter.

He would have required a lot of exercise too. He was lively and energetic. Because he had Pointer in him you can be sure that he would have been intelligent so that he could be trained and socialized.

He would have been keen to learn with an owner who was firm and consistent in his treatment of him. He is a dog most happiest when he can spend time with his human family, a most loyal and devoted family friend, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the home.

Characteristics

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.

It appears, according to records that the Russian Setter has come and gone. However he would have been a calm, gentle pet with running ad hunting keeping him happy. He would therefore have required a lot of exercise.

We can assume that according to the few records that there are, that this was an affable, pleasing dog breed which made a great family pet.

Health Problems

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.

The Russian Setter had an average lifespan of 10 – 14 which is a fairly good innings for a dog. Nonetheless you would have had to be aware of some common dog problem. These dogs were prone to major health issues such as both hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, epilepsy and hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid glands produce hormones that affect the function of many parts of the body. Dogs with this illness have a low production of thyroid hormones.

This disease is mainly caused by inflammation or shrinkage of the thyroid gland. The most common signs of low thyroid in dogs is thinning of the fur, the coat is dull, there is weight gain and excess shedding. The dog doesn’t tolerate cold well either. These dogs also often have ear infections.

Caring The Pet

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.

Whatever kind of coat the Russian Setter ad it would have required a brushing twice a week to keep it in top form.

The medium length floppy ears would have to be checked inside for ear infection.

His owners would have checked inside the mouth for any signs of rotten or bad teeth.

His nails would have required trimming.

Diet:

Dogs need the best food there is to stay healthy. The Russian Terrier, if it were still around today, would have had the best commercially manufactured food there was.

You want to provide dogs with some good homemade food too. Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency to avoid upsetting the stomach. Some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach would be perfect for him. Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week. Raw meat should also be added in when possible to promote good skin health.

Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

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