Meet the Danish Spitz

Among the breeds that aren’t recognized by any registry other than the one in its own country is the Dansk Spids, or Danish Spitz. Easily mistaken for a Samoyed by the uninitiated, the Danish Spitz dates back to at least the 18th century and was known over time by other names such as the White Spitz, Greenland Spitz or Wolf Spitz. There are those who believe the breed is simply a variation of the German Spitz, but others, such as members of the Danish Spitz Club understandably regard it as a unique and ancient breed; the Danish Kennel Club (of which the Danish Spitz Club is a member) published a provisional breed standard in 2013.

The breed may actually date back even further. Based on excavations, the National Museum of Denmark has suggested that the breed may have origins with the Vikings, if not to “peat dogs,” the first canines to have lived in a relationship with people called ‘pile dwellers.’  Its peak in popularity was in the 1930s when the Danish Spitz was commonly found on Danish farms and hanging around with the children it was entrusted to watch. For that reason, it was (and may still be) commonly known as a children’s dog known for being kind, courageous, sociable, and patient.

There’s a marvelous article by Ria Hörter that futher details this appealing breed which you can read here. There is also a Facebook page for the aforementioned club, and even if you don’t read Danish, there are some lovely pictures of the breed. We also came across a You Tube video of a real life Danish Spitz! Check it out:

Image of a Danish Spitz by Charliecatnip – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52817658

6 thoughts on “Meet the Danish Spitz”

  1. Den var da godt nok en dejlig hund.
    Jeg har været på efter en Dansk Spids da vores kære hund er død.
    Men jeg må indrømme det har været noget af en opgave, fordi mulighederne ikke er så gode i Danmark.
    Jeg har prøvet de klassiske steder som dba og facebook. Jeg Føler mig ikke tryg ved at handle et levende væsen derigennem. Jeg har kigget på dyreportalen som eftersigende skulle være det nye sted at erhverve sig sit kæledyr og jeg tænker at give stedet en chance. Jeg kan læse mig til de får gode anmeldelser og virker som et sikkert sted at købe hund.
    Er der nogle som kender andre alternativer hvor man kan finde sådan en flot Dansk Spids?
    På forhånd tak, Anne Nielsen, 8000 Aarhus C.

    • Google translate says this comment in English is: It was a lovely dog. I’ve been on after a Danish tip since our dear dog is dead. But I have to admit it has been quite a task because the opportunities are not so good in Denmark. I’ve tried the classic sites like dba and facebook. I don’t feel comfortable acting a living being through it. I have looked at the animal portal which is supposed to be the new place to acquire your pet and I am thinking of giving the place a chance. I can read until they get good reviews and seem like a safe place to buy dog. Do anyone know of other alternatives where you can find such a nice Danish tip? Thanks in advance, Anne Nielsen….perhaps one of our readers can help?

  2. I own and show American Eskimo Dogs. I certainly see some resemblance between my dogs and the Danish Spitz.

    • Denise Miller And I find that your beautiful dogs look a lot like Samoyed too. The eyes look bigger, thou…

  3. Sikke en fantastisk hund, jeg har selv haft Danish Spitz som er en dejlig, skøn og kærlig hund.
    Jeg er også på udkig efter en hundehvalp og har haft lidt problemer med at finde men synes også dkk og dyrepotal er nogle fine steder at kigge. Jeg føler at dba og guloggratis er blevet meget useriøse med årene og det er som om de godkender alle annoncer.

  4. I breed the White keeshond which is a wolfspitz. They are very uncommon here in the USA and to my knowledge I am the only keeshond breeder who breeds them openly.
    The Keeshond also is known as a children’s dog known for being kind, courageous, sociable, and patient. They are incredible family dogs.

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