PetzloverGerman Spitz (Mittel) is originated from Germany but Old English Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. German Spitz (Mittel) may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than Old English Terrier. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Old English Terrier are having almost same weight. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Old English Terrier has almost same life span. German Spitz (Mittel) may have less litter size than Old English Terrier. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Old English Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.
Originating in Germany, the German Spitz Mittel is an alert, vigilant dog and it is these qualities that made him sought after for working on farms.
He is no new breed and is the 3rd largest of the five German Spitz varieties. It is believed that the German Spitz descended from the Northern sled and herding dogs which arrived with the Vikings into Europe. When you do research you see that the dogs are mentioned in German literature which dates way back to to 1450 already.
Known also as the Black Terrier, by the 18th century, the Old English Terrier was available as a rough-coated dog as well as a smooth-coated dog.
The dogs were established in England. The dog was developed to work and by the 19th century the Old English Terrier was to be found all over the world.
The dog was developed based on the work it was required to do, leading to variations in the coat texture, the body and size. The Old English Terrier is recognized today by the National Terriers Club LLC.
The German Spitz Mittel is similar in looks to the other sizes of German Spitz. The Mittel is a medium sized dog and stands between 30 and 38cm in height and weighs between 7 and 11kg. You’ll find him in solid colors such as tan, liver, white, fawn, black or a mix of these colors.
He has a soft woolly undercoat and a long outercoat with a mane-like ruff at the neck. He has a fairly long muzzle, dark eyes, sharp erect ears and a bushy tail which curls over his back.
Affectionate, faithful, and always happy by nature, the German Spitz Mittel is a family companion that wants to be part of everything his human family is up to. He makes a good watchdog. He is alert and has a distrust of strangers.
He gets on well with children in the home and he can also live in peace with other dogs. Because he is an intelligent dog, you won’t have much trouble with training- and socializing him, although he will require a firm, consistent owner and trainer.
Training and socialization are important as there are always some important commands such as sit, stay, come and lie down that you will want him to respond to immediately.
The Old English Terrier is a working dog, a sporting terrier known for his athleticism. This is a vibrant dog, both physically and mentally, and the dog will require plenty of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation.
If you go to a reputable pet shop, you will find many stimulating toys for such a clever dog. He is also social and friendly and makes a wonderful pet.
Your Old English Terrier stands at between 30 – 45cm and weighs between 6 and 15kg. The face of the dog is wedge-shaped and the eyes are set wide apart. The ears are erect and the tail has been docked but is left long these days.
The coat of the dog can be either rough or smooth and it is available in solid black or white or a black and tan mix.
The Old English Terrier is a working and sporting terrier. He makes a wonderful companion pet. He is an intelligent, boisterous type of dog and early training and socialization are necessary to make him obedient and more amicable around people and pets.
They are loving with their human family, but because they require such vigorous exercise, they are better suited to life in the countryside as opposed to living in a cramped space in the city.
People who have owned a German Spitz Mittel are delighted with him, saying that he is such an easy-going, happy dog. He is social and thrives on the interaction he has with his human family.
He won’t do well if you simply put him in your backyard and forget about him, using him merely as a watchdog.
The German Spitz Mittel dog is one dog that definitely lives up to the title of man’s best friend. He is social, happy, loving, loyal, playful, entertaining and smart too, and when you treat him the way he deserves, you’ve got the most awesome friend.
Your Old English Terrier is a working dog and while he is known to be independent and sometimes quite stubborn, he is intelligent and trainable.
He should be trained and socialized and then he becomes a great family pet, being amicable with children and other pets. He is a good natured pet but he has lots of energy and will rely on you to provide him with walks and games, whether you live in the city or the countryside.
Give him the right upbringing and you can be assured of the most splendid pet and companion.
German Spitz dogs are healthy, and when you shower him with love and attention and good food, you can expect to have him around for up to 15 years of age.
Of course, as with any other healthy dog breeds, there are always one or two common dog illnesses that your dog may get. These include hip dysplasia and eye diseases. If you notice symptoms that indicate possible joint issues with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.
Patellar Luxation for instance occurs when your dog’s kneecap is dislocated. It is more common in toy breeds like the German Spitz. It can be painful for your pet and lead to lameness. If your dog has problems with his hip, it can actually force the patella out of its groove, which is a secondary condition.
There are some health problems with a dog that can be inherited, but some illnesses develop because of bad lifestyle and bad diet along with lack of exercise.
Your Old English Terrier can live to anything from 10 to 14 years of age, but there are always some common dog diseases that you may want to be aware of.
Dental disease, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, bloat and eye diseases are just some of the diseases that are highly unlikely, but which can be worrisome for your pet.
You can help reduce loose hairs with your German Spitz by brushing his thick coat twice a week. It’s a good time to also inspect your dog for ticks and fleas.
Your German Spitz Mittel isn’t the most active dog, but he will still need regular exercise. Going on a walk is good for both you and him. He is a mentally sharp dog too and these walks keep him both physically- and mentally fit. He also loves ball games.
Every dog deserves the best food, and if you feed your German Spitz Mittel with a commercially manufactured dog food, make sure its one of the top quality ones. You want to avoid foods packed with preservatives, colorants and fillers. You want dog foods with minerals and vitamins with high protein and ingredients such as Omega 3 and 6 to promote health skin.
There are also some dog foods which have ingredients in them such as polyphosphates. Ingredients like this keep your dog’s teeth clean.
Try and also give him some cooked rice, vegetables and chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat. He should never be without fresh, cool water.
Looking after your Old English Terrier is easy, whether you choose the short- or long haired breed, requiring you to brush him twice a week to remove those loose hairs. Check in and outside the ears for ticks and fleas and check around the eyes for infections.
Always run your hands over your dog to make sure there are no unusual lumps which could be indicative of cancer.
Make sure your pet has a nice dry, warm place to sleep, and if he is outdoors, make sure he has a spot to lie down in that is out of the sun and rain.
He is an active dog and will require a walk each day as well as ball- and rope games.
Every dog will benefit from a high quality diet, both commercially manufactured food and home-made food. Dogs want their meals to be simple, tasty, consistent and delicious.
Dry kibble needs to be of a high quality and you can add in simple home-made food to his kibble and which is simple – boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. When you can afford it, some raw meat added into the kibble will be a welcome treat.
Such a simple diet will ensure you don’t battle with your dog’s digestion and it will keep him bright-eyed and healthy. Ensure a constant supply of fresh, cool water.