German Spitz (Mittel) vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

German Spitz (Mittel) vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonGerman Spitz (Mittel) is originated from Germany but Entlebucher Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. German Spitz (Mittel) may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. German Spitz (Mittel) may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Entlebucher Mountain Dog has almost same life span. German Spitz (Mittel) may have less litter size than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Both German Spitz (Mittel) and Entlebucher Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

german spitz mittel - historyOriginating 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.

entlebucher mountain dog - historyThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs, but he is still a powerful dog used to herd cattle. The four breeds are the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and the Entlebucher. It was though that these dogs came to Switzerland with the Romans over 2 centuries ago. The Entlebucher was put to work guarding and herding sheep, pulling carts and flocking cattle. Toward the end of the 19th century the breed was on the edge of extinction because many were breeding them with German Shepherds. So, Franz Schertenleib, in 1889 brought all the existing Entlebuchers together and bred them. He is credited with keeping the breed alive.

It is believed that the breed comes originally from a valley in the District of Cantons Lucerne and Berne, called Entlebuch. They were considered the same breed as the Appenzell Cattle Dog until 1913 when they were classified as a Mountain Dog – the fourth breed of Mountain Dog. The AKC did not recognize the breed until 2011.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
Origin:
Germany
Switzerland
Height Male:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
48 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
Height Female:
30 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
46 - 48 cm
18 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
18 - 28 kg
39 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Deutscher Spitz Mittel
Entlebucher Mountain Dog Entlebucher Cattle Dog Entlebucher
Colors Available:
liver, Tan, black - mixed colors, fawn, white
tricolor
Coat:
Long, dense
thick double coat
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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.

tion

entlebucher mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a muscular, compact, and medium sized dog. Their heads are square, and the skull is flat. He has dark eyes that are alert and expressive in a friendly way. Their ears are triangular and hang on the side of his head. With compact feet, a muscular body and well angled hocks, he is a good looking dog and ready for his jobs.

His coat is striking, and it is familiar in its closeness to the other Mountain Dogs coats. Yet he has some distinctive differences that tell you this is not a Bernese or a Swiss, it is an Entlebucher.

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.

entlebucher mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Entle is a happy, clever dog that needs a job. They are intelligent and physical. They love people and throw themselves at you when they see you. They are loving and loyal but again he has to have a job.

He makes a great watchdog, therapy dog or companion for your children. He only barks when he has to but is wary of strangers and he is territorial.

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.

The Entlebucher is prone to:

Hip Dysplasia

entlebucher mountain dog puppies - health problemsCommon to large dogs. Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Hemolytic Anemia

The immune system destroys its own blood cells.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is inherited and causes degeneration of the retina. There is new medication for this.

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.

Feeding

entlebucher mountain dog dogs - caringThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a large working dog. He needs good solid food, but he doesn’t need to be overfed. Give him about 2-3 cups per day fed in 2-3 meals. Be careful of Bloat in the large dog.

Health issues

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is prone to these issues as well as those mentioned earlier.

  1. Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome
  2. The Ureter is misplaced.
  3. Luxating Patellas
  4. Movable kneecaps
  5. Exercise and games

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs love to play, to work and to exercise. They are great with people who want to walk them every day, run with them, ride bikes or hike. They can play for hours or work for hours. They need a lot of activity every day and excel at tracking, obedience, herding and agility.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Giant Schnauzer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Goldador vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mackenzie River Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. German Longhaired Pointer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Pyredoodle vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  11. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  12. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  13. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  14. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  16. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  17. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  18. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  20. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  21. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  23. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  24. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  25. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  26. Golden Doodle vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  27. Pomsky vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  28. Old English Bulldog vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  29. Puggle vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  30. Schnoodle vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Doodles vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  32. Sanshu vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  33. German Spitz (Mittel) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Aussie Poo - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Eurasier - Breed Comparison
  36. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Bordoodle - Breed Comparison
  37. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dalmador - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Elo - Breed Comparison
  39. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  40. Pandikona vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  41. Renascence Bulldogge vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  42. Hairless Khala vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  43. Jindo vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  44. Hermes Bulldogge vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  45. Serbian Tricolour Hound vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  46. Kromfohrlander vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  47. Valley Bulldog vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  48. Whoodles vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  49. Mini Sheepadoodles vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  50. Beabull vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds