06/06/2026
Preserving the German Spitz (Mittel) in New Zealand
As many of you know, I am a breeder and owner of German Spitz (Mittel) here in New Zealand.
One of my growing concerns is the increasing number of puppies being advertised and identified as German Spitz when they are clearly not purebred German Spitz. In many cases, when the sire and dam are shown, it is clear to me that they are not purebred German Spitz; yet, the puppies are still being marketed as German Spitz, which creates confusion for prospective owners and can be somewhat misleading.
While most people simply want a loving companion and may not be concerned about pedigrees, this misunderstanding can have serious consequences for the future of the breed.
When people believe they own a German Spitz and then breed that dog to another Spitz-type dog, the offspring are often still referred to as German Spitz despite not being purebred. Over time, this blurs the distinction between purebred German Spitz and crossbreeds, making it increasingly difficult to preserve the true breed.
If a German Shepherd is crossed with a Labrador, we would not call it a purebred German Shepherd. The same principle should apply to German Spitz. A crossbreed may be a wonderful pet, but it is not a purebred German Spitz.
My concern is not about criticising crossbreeding or the people who own these dogs. It is about preserving this beautiful breed in New Zealand. With only a small number of breeders producing purebred German Spitz, I worry that we may eventually reach a point where there are very few, if any, true German Spitz left in the country.
For the breed to survive, it is important that we recognise, value, and protect the difference between purebred German Spitz and Spitz-type crossbreeds.
