How many spitz live and what does it depend on?

The breed of dogs that has recently been very popular is the Spitz. The name of the breed most often causes association with a small sofa dog that looks like a cute bear or fox. There are several varieties of dogs of this breed, but all of them are united by a good appearance, friendliness and devotion to the owner. Any owner of such a charming creature wants his pet to please him longer with his presence.

Spitz dogs, regardless of their variety and color, can always be recognized by the correct, proportional body structure. The figure of the animal resembles a square. Spitz has a thick and beautiful coat with a dense undercoat. But these are general characteristics, and each species has its own nuances and life expectancy. It is considered that the smaller the dog’s size, the longer it will live. It is not always so.

The most popular varieties of the breed include the following.

• Keeshond (Wolfspitz) - A rather large dog, especially boys. At the withers it can grow up to 55 cm. Its look and color is very similar to a wolf. Lives an average of 14 years.

• Grosspitz - having a slightly smaller size, up to 50 cm, has a good-natured character. A very smart and courageous dog will become a reliable protector in the house. In favorable conditions, able to please the owners for about 15 years.

• Mittelspitz - this Spitz has 40 cm at the withers, girls - 30 cm. It copes with both the role of a security guard and a companion for games.Can live up to 16 years.

• Kleinspitz - a miniature dog with a clear voice will protect the house from unwanted guests and become a true friend for all family members. Life expectancy ranges from 12 to 16 years.

• Pomeranian Spitz - the growth of this decorative dog is close to 20 cm. This clever and fervent animal will become not only an adornment of your house for the next 14-16 years, but also a full member of the family.

• White Japanese Spitz - This type of dog is medium in size and has only white coat color. The animal is cheerful and cheerful, likes to play with children. This Spitz is able to live up to 16 years.

• Finnish Spitz - a large dog weighing more than 10 kg. It has an independent character, but is very loyal to the owner. It can perform the functions of a hunting dog. Life expectancy is about 14 years.

• American Eskimo Spitz - here the name speaks for itself. The animal quickly learns new skills, true to one owner. Can live from 15 years or more.

• Volpino (Italian Spitz) - individuals of this breed are rather small -25-30 cm at the withers. Long hair is mostly light shades. They have an unstable temperament, live 12-13 years.

• Eurasian Spitz - relatively new breed. The dog is calm and restrained, a good guard. Life expectancy is a maximum of 13 years.

Spitz live next to a person for a very long time. For some, this is a true friend and companion for walks, and for someone, a reliable guard and defender. The average life expectancy of these dogs is 13 years, and in exceptional cases they can live up to 20 years. The smallest representatives of the breed are dwarf spitz, do not live longer than 8 years.

There are many factors that influence a dog’s lifespan. First of all, these are diseases inherent in Spitz. They can develop as a result of improper care and maintenance of the animal. Such diseases include:

• inflammation of the intestines or pancreas;
• neoplasms of both internal and external organs;
• violation of the liver, heart;
• joint diseases;
• injuries (fractures, dislocations).

The spitz bone system is a very fragile design. Therefore, if your pet does not receive enough calcium and other vitamins, minerals and trace elements, then injuries cannot be avoided. The importance of physical activity is also difficult to overestimate. Lack of movement leads to fragility and deformation of bones and joints. And this fact certainly does not contribute to increasing the length of life.

The dog's nutrition should be balanced and appropriate to its age and weight. Cheap or improperly selected dry food can cause obesity. Excess weight puts stress on the bones and heart and negatively affects the lifespan. A lack of vitamins will lead to depletion of the animal and disruption of the internal organs.

Stress also has an important role in the health of Spitz. Dogs are too impressionable and too strong negative emotions can lead to a heart attack. The absence of vaccinations in the puppy makes him vulnerable to diseases such as enteritis or plague. And they can be fatal.

Spitz is a sweet, gullible creature that, regardless of size and age, needs affection, care and communication. In order for a fluffy pet to live a long and happy life, it is necessary to strengthen its immunity from puppyhood. This breed of dog is very susceptible to stress, so they need to be protected in every possible way from negative emotions.

For the duration and quality of life, the main role is played by the dog’s nutrition. Ready-made food should be only premium, with a predominance of meat in it. If the food for the Spitz is cooked at home, then its basis should also be lean meat.

At a young age, the dog undergoes an annual routine examination and the necessary vaccination in a veterinary clinic. Upon reaching the age of 7, it is necessary to check the animal’s health 2 times a year. This helps to identify diseases at an early stage and begin timely treatment. Most Spitz dogs are indoor dogs, so it is important to ensure proper care for your pet's hair. These procedures have a positive effect not only on its appearance, but also beneficial to health.

• Bathing. This is necessary, but not very often - once every 2 months, and in winter it is generally worth abandoning water procedures. Use only special zoo shampoo and dry the coat well.
• Combing. During molting, this should be done every day, the rest of the time - twice a week.
• A haircut. This action can be carried out 1 time in 3 months by a specialist and preferably in the warm season.

Spitz is influenced by his lifestyle. He must be active. The owner needs to devote maximum time to his pet, playing outdoor games with him in the open air. Communication, positive emotions, the sun and walks in nature will give a lot of positive things to both the dog and its owner.

All about the Pomeranian dog breed in the next video.