Spitz

A spitz (the name derives from the German word spitz, (German: [ʃpɪt͡s] ⓘ) meaning "pointed", in reference to the pointed muzzle) is a type of domestic dog consisting of 68 breeds, characterized by long, thick (and often white) fur, and by pointed ears and muzzles. The tail often curls over the dog's back or droops. While all of the breeds resemble primitive dogs, smaller breeds resemble foxes, while larger breeds resemble jackals, coyotes, wolves, and even dingoes.

For other uses, see Spitz (disambiguation).

The exact origins of spitz dogs remain unknown, though most of the spitzes seen today originate from the Arctic region or from Siberia. Johann Friedrich Gmelin described the type as Canis pomeranus in his 1788 revision of Systema Naturae.

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