German Spitz (Klein) vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Hailing from the Appenzell region of Switzerland and known as the Appenzeller Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde, this athletic breed of dog has a history which is debatable and which has several theories.

It is believed the dog is descended from Molossus.The Appenzeller Mountain Dog is one of the 4 recognized Swiss Sennenhunds, appearing to have descended from cattle dogs. The first breed club was founded in 1906 by Albert Heim. However, an early reference to the breed's predecessors was made in a book of 1853, where it refers to dogs in the Appenzell region.

In 1898 the Appenzeller Mountain Dog was shown at the first international dog show and was recognized internationally as a separate breed in 1989.

Also 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.

The Appenzell Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog standing at between 47–58cm at the withers and weighing in at 22–32kg.

He is a heavy-built dog and sports a tri-color coat – black, tan and white. He has a double coat with the topcoat being shortish, thick and straight. He sheds throughout the year and isn’t hypoallergenic. He has small ears which are high set and which are floppy. The tail is long and curls when held high.

Temperament:

The Appenzell is an active breed who has been used to herding, fetching and working. Because of his energy levels, he won’t fit in well in a small home where his energy needs can’t be met. However wherever he is, he bonds closely with his human family and thrives on attention from them.

He isn’t known as an aggressive dog, but if as a working breed, he felt that the livestock he was guarding was under threat, he could exhibit some aggressiveness.

He gets on well with children in the home and other pets but is inclined to be wary of strangers. Just as with any other dog, training and socialization does wonders for him, making him relaxed and obedient around people and dogs.

Classified 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.

Herding dogs tend to be independent and somewhat reserved but the Appenzell Mountain Dog is social, outgoing and loving with his human family. When trained and socialized he gets on well with other pets as well as children in the home.

He is a working dog, and thrives on being active, so a good amount of exercise will be necessary. He is a courageous, affectionate dog and when you give him the right upbringing and treat him as he deserves to be treated, he becomes a splendid pet.

This 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.

There are some health problems with dogs which are inherited. It is why some people insist on getting certificates from breeders to show that the parents were cleared of certain diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Certainly, it’s a known fact that many health problems can be prevented by the way you feed your dog and the way you raise him.

If you suspect your pet is suffering with an ailment that is making him lethargic and run-down, get him to the vet immediately.

You’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.

Grooming:

You want your Appenzell Mountain Dog to maintain his thick shiny coat, and because he sheds throughout the year, a good brushing twice a week will benefit him.

Dogs with hanging ears, such as this dog, are always more prone to ear infections, requiring more attention to the inside of the ears. Clean, dry ears resist ear infections.

The nails of the dog should also be trimmed when they become too long.

Exercise:

The Appenzeller is a working dog, used to being active all day, so he will require a lot of exercise. He just loves being outdoors, and while he adapts to city- and country life, he will prefer living in the country. Take him for walks, play ball with him and allow him to run with you when you go jogging or cycling.

Diet:

A young adult Appenzeller Sennenhunde will require a different calorie intake compared to a dog that has been spayed or neutered or a puppy that is still growing. You need to watch your dog’s age, his size and the particular season of his life he is in and adjust his food intake.

Kibble is good and well, and there are excellent brands packed with nutrients, but your furry friend will require brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat added in when possible.

An excellent diet is important for the wellbeing of your pet, and always ensure that fresh, cool water is available.

Diet:

As 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.