HISTORY OF THE GERMAN SPITZ
The German Spitz is related to the very first type of dog, going back some 8,000 years. The breed is generally believed to belong to the group of norther spitz breeds and probably descending from the Samoyed. They are typical of the small spitz type dog, which is known to be over 2,000 years old. Evidence suggests that in prehistoric times they were a native of Siberia, particularly along the shores of the Arctic Ocean and who's main occupation was a watch dog.
There are various depictions of Spitz type dogs which occur in many artifacts from Central and Eastern Europe. In 1450 Count Ederhard Zu Sayne made the first documented reference to the term "spitz" as a valiant defender of the home and fields. These dogs were frequently taken on boats used for fishing and trade as people found they offered protection for their goods as they were very good alert watchdogs. All were given the nickname 'Mistbeller' which means "dung hill barker", and would stand on top of the hill and snort their warnings. As these spitz accompanied their masters to German settlesments in North America, the white spitz became known as the 'American Eskimo'.
It is quite remarkable how a dog that had essentially been a peasant’s dog became so popular with royalty and the upper class in England. The breed started to gain popularity during the 18th century when King George the first came to the throne with his German wife. Many German visitors came to the court, and brought their dogs with them. By the late 1700’s George III’s German wife, had many white spitz weighing around 20 to 30 pounds. Queen Victoria and Queen Charlotte were two other members of the Royal family who were taken with this breed, however at this time in the UK they were referred to generically as 'Pomeranians' as Kennel Club standards were yet to be defined.
The breed of German Spitz was finally recognized in the UK in the 1970's, and in Australia in the 1980's.
References:
German Spitz extended breed standard, History of the Breed - http://ankc.org.au/
German Spitz breed brochure produced by the National Promotions Commitee in the ANKC