Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed ComparisonGerman Spitz (Klein) is originated from Germany but Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. German Spitz (Klein) may grow 44 cm / 17 inches shorter than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. German Spitz (Klein) may weigh 60 kg / 132 pounds lesser than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. German Spitz (Klein) may live 3 years more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. German Spitz (Klein) may have less litter size than Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Both German Spitz (Klein) and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
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Germany
Switzerland
Height Male:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
5 - 10
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Deutscher Spitz Klein
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Colors Available:
black or mixture of these, Fawn, reddish, brown, cream
Black, white and rust
Coat:
Long, dense and straight
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, 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
Yes
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.

greater swiss mountain dogHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

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.

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

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.

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

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.

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

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.

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

Comparison with other breeds

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