Peruvian Hairless vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison

Peruvian Hairless vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed ComparisonGerman Spitz (Mittel) is originated from Germany but Peruvian Hairless is originated from Peru. German Spitz (Mittel) may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Peruvian Hairless. German Spitz (Mittel) may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Peruvian Hairless. German Spitz (Mittel) may live 3 years more than Peruvian Hairless. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Peruvian Hairless has same litter size. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Peruvian Hairless requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Miscellaneous dogs
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Germany
Peru
Height Male:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
Height Female:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Deutscher Spitz Mittel
Peruvian Inca Orchid, Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog
Colors Available:
liver, Tan, black - mixed colors, fawn, white
grey, mottled, Dark brown
Coat:
Long, dense
Hairless except for some hair on the head
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

german spitz mittelOriginating 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.

peruvian hairlessThis is an ancient breed, and he even looks like he comes from ancient times. This particular dog, the Peruvian Hairless, was part of the Inca Empire and it is amazing that depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs have been seen around around 750 A.D.

It is believed the dogs were a meal for many in those ancient times, and that together with the Spanish conquest of Peru resulted in the dog almost being wiped out.

Today the dog is held in esteem in Peru and it is looked upon as the national dog of Peru – an accolade this dog received in 2001. The Federation Cynologique Internationale has accepted this breed and also adopted an official breed standard.

Description

german spitz mittel puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Temperament:

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.

peruvian hairless puppy - descriptionThere is no doubt that the most important feature of this dog is its hairlessness, but there is nearly always a little bit of hair on top of its head and on the tip of the tail.

The color of the dog’s skin can be dark brown, mottled or a grey shade. They can be a solid color or grey or brown but with pink spots. The eyes of the dog are brown and the ears can be floppy or erect and the tail is long.

He stands at anything between 25 to 50cm, depending on whether he is a small or medium sized Peruvian. Weights can vary too but can be 4kg for the smaller type, going up to 25 kg for the larger dogs. The dogs are always slim.

Temperament:

Peruvian Hairless dogs love their human families, being somewhat wary around strangers. They are lively, intelligent, alert and protective.

Lean and agile, they can be quick too. Just like with any other dogs, he will require training and socialization if you want him to be obedient and well behaved. He gets on well with other pets in the house and will get on well with disciplined children. This is a quiet dog but even so, he makes a good guard dog.

Characteristics

german spitz mittel dog - characteristicsPeople 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.

peruvian hairless dog - characteristicsFrom ancient times, the Peruvian Hairless has been man’s best friend, and June 12th is the official day of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. These dogs love being surrounded by their human family. They are cheerful, playful, social dogs and they make great playmates for children when the children don’t rough play too much so as to injure him.

He is also a good watchdog and when he isn’t protecting you or playing he can be calm and quiet, and slot easily into life in the countryside or the city. Treat him well and you'll enjoy excellent friendship from this hairless canine friend.

Health Problems

german spitz mittel puppies - health problemsGerman 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.

peruvian hairless puppies - health problemsLike all breeds there will be some health problems with your Peruvian Hairless, although with good care care this dog can live to be 12 years of age or maybe even a little older. Some things to look out for include -

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

You may notice your dog not eating his food, having an upset stomach and vomiting. Irritable bowel syndrome in a dog is a persistent upset stomach, resulting in diarrhea and bloating. IBS isn’t reserved for older dogs, and it can affect any breed or sex. You’ll notice your pet being listless and without energy. In severe cases of IBS, you may notice blood in your pet’s feces. Don’t allow your canine friend to suffer – get him to the vet.

Seizures:

Also known as epilepsy, it can be disturbing for you to see your canine friend having a seizure. Uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your dog’s brain cause these seizures which are a mix of twitching and shaking. The seizure can last for less than a minute or for several minutes. A number of things can cause these seizures in dogs – head injuries, anemia, kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte problems, brain cancer among others.

Skin Problems:

Many dogs suffer with one or other skin problems and these can be painful and frustrating. Hairless breeds are more likely to suffer with skin issues and they require special grooming and skin care to prevent dryness, insect bites, sunburn etc.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

german spitz mittel dogs - caringYou 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.

Exercise:

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.

Diet:

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.

peruvian hairless dogs - caringFor some, the lack of hair is appealing to some people who battle with allergies. The skin of the dog will need to be washed to remove dirt. You’ve got to be careful however, what you wash your dog with because these dogs are known to get blackheads and acne because of blocked pores.

Then again, the skin can become quite dry, so you need to strike a balance. Talk to a dog expert or your vet on how to care for such a dog’s skin.

You’ll also need to consider your dog when he goes outside into the sun. Protection against sunlight is recommended and once again you might want to find out about sun blocks. Because of the lack of hair, he may also be sensitive to the cold.

Make sure this unusual pet gets the right diet. You want to be sure that whether you feed him commercially manufactured foods or he gets some home-made food it is full of vitamins and minerals. Steer away from spicy, unusual foods as dogs love simplicity and consistency.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Peruvian Hairless vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  9. Peruvian Hairless vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
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  26. German Spitz (Mittel) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. German Spitz (Mittel) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. German Spitz (Mittel) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  38. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. German Spitz (Mittel) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison