German Spitz Mittel: a medium frame beneath the ruff
The Mittel has the standing coat, neck ruff and square body of its German Spitz description, in a larger size than the Klein. A regular brush-through and daily shared activity are the ordinary commitments; undercoat shedding can temporarily add a much larger grooming job.
The Mittel has its own size
In the Mittel section, the FCI gives a height of 35 cm with a tolerance of 5 cm either way. The earlier UK guide lists 30–38 cm. The FCI relates weight to the dog’s size without giving a kilogram range. Do not use the Klein’s smaller measurements to judge this profile.
The FCI height-to-body-length ratio is 1:1, with a short, straight back and strong loin. Long, straight outer hair stands away from a short, thick undercoat. The mane, feathering and tail add volume beyond the underlying frame.
Work through the coat in layers
The shared AKC German Spitz guide recommends quick brushing every couple of days plus a thorough weekly grooming. Its twice-yearly shedding description calls for daily brushing over the two or three weeks when the undercoat is coming out. Ask to see how to reach that undercoat without only smoothing the outer hair.
The earlier UK Mittel guide places grooming above once weekly, rather than the Klein’s daily category. The general AKC advice also describes infrequent bathing and brushing out mud once dry. This is shared German Spitz care guidance, not a separate American Mittel size standard.
Walks and indoor occupation
The UK description allows a small house with a small or medium garden, either town or country, and exercise up to one hour. The AKC guide suggests regular walks and indoor activities such as hide-and-seek or learning tricks. Check the enclosure carefully: it specifically mentions small gaps and unfenced ponds.
Two useful comparisons
The Klein keeps the same broad coat type in a smaller frame, with distinct UK grooming and housing categories. The Keeshond has a larger FCI height description and its own weekly pin-brush and four-to-six-week pet bath-and-dry routine. Shared ancestry is less useful for planning your week than those concrete differences.
Sources and further reading
German Spitz (Mittel) at a glance
These earlier UK breed guides are starting points for comparison. Details may have changed, and individual dogs vary.
- Breed group
- Utility
- Size
- Medium
- Daily exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Grooming frequency
- More than once a week
- Coat length
- Medium
- Sheds
- Yes
- Suggested home size
- Small house
- Town or country
- Town or country
- Garden recommendation
- Small / medium garden
- Lifespan
- Over 12 years
FCI breed standard
Standard guidance describes the breed ideal; individual dogs vary.
- Origin
- Germany
- Group
- 5 - Spitz and primitive types
- Section
- 4 - European Spitz
- Variety covered
- German Medium Size Spitz (Mittel)
- Height
- 35 cm; Tolerance: 5 cm above or below
- Weight
- In proportion to height; no numeric weight given
This reference uses the FCI Medium Size Spitz variety corresponding to Mittelspitz. Its 35 cm height with 5 cm allowance is separate from the earlier UK 30–38 cm range.
Official FCI standard (PDF)
Standard effective from 2024-09-03; checked 2026-10-15
