10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Indian Spitz
The Indian Spitz is a dog breed that is recognized in India but not in other countries. These dogs are said to be smart, affectionate, and adaptable, thus making them a good choice for a household companion.
1. It Is Indeed a Spitz
Spitz is a term that refers to a number of dog breeds. Generally speaking, spitzes can be recognized by their pointed ears, their pointed muzzle, and their long, thick fur. As a result, interested individuals have been known to compare smaller spitzes to foxes as well as bigger spitzes to wolves. The ultimate origin of these dogs isn’t 100 percent clear. However, a lot of modern spitzes can trace their roots to northern regions. Regardless, the Indian Spitz is indeed a spitz.
2. Believed to Be Descended from the German Spitz
This is because Indian Spitzes are believed to be descended from German Spitzes. For those who are curious, there isn’t a single kind of German Spitz. Instead, there are five varieties, which would be the Keeshond, the Giant Spitz, the Medium Spitz, the Miniature Spitz, and the Dwarf Spitz. Chances are good that interested individuals will be most familiar with Dwarf Spitzes. After all, said dogs have another name, which would be the Pomeranian.
3. Brought Over from Europe
By this point, interested individuals should have no problem guessing that Indian Spitzes aren’t native to India. Instead, they were brought over by the British in the 19th century. For context, the East India Company was one of a number of European companies that established a presence on the Indian subcontinent in the 17th century. However, it became more and more powerful, with the result that it carved out more and more territories for itself starting in the mid 18th century. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, these possessions were turned over to the British crown, which proceeded to rule the Indian subcontinent both directly and indirectly from 1858 to 1947.
4. Has Adapted to Local Conditions
As mentioned earlier, a lot of spitzes can trace their roots to northern regions. Due to this, spitzes are often adapted for colder climates. Meanwhile, the sheer size of India means that the country sees a wide range of climates in a wide range of places. However, there can be no doubt about the fact that the country on the whole is on the hotter side of things. Fortunately, Indian Spitzes have been around for a long time. As a result, they have been bred to make them more suitable for local conditions, meaning that this is no longer an issue in the present time.
5. Comes in Two Sizes
There are apparently not one but two varieties of Indian Spitzes. One would be a bigger variety of the breed, while the other would be a smaller variety of the breed. This is perhaps unsurprising considering that the German Spitz itself has varieties called Giant Spitzes, Medium Spitzes, and Miniature Spitzes. In any case, this is convenient because this means that interested individuals can get such dogs in a size that is better-suited for their home.
6. Became Popular in the 1980s and 1990s
Moving on, the Indian Spitz is said to have become popular in the 1980s and 1990s. This is because the Indian government introduced rules that made it difficult for interested individuals to acquire dogs from foreign countries. As a result, Indian dog owners shifted their attentions to indigenous breeds as well as other local breeds. The Indian Spitz benefited from this policy more than most of its counterparts. This is because it was descended from a foreign breed, meaning that it provided interested individuals with a way to get their hands on a foreign-looking dog without actually going through the hassle of importing a foreign dog.
7. Got a Boost from Bollywood
Movies can have a huge impact on the popular consciousness. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for the popularity of dog breeds to soar because of their appearance in a well-known name. For instance, Indian Spitzes got quite a boost to their popularity in their homeland because of a Bollywood movie called Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! in 1994. The Indian Spitz that appeared in the movie initially belonged to the assistant director but was eventually adopted by the lead actress.
8. Benefits from Regular Brushing
Indian Spitzes benefit from regular brushing. This is because they have long hair, meaning that the grooming can help them keep their coats neat and clean. In contrast, bathing is recommended to take place on either a monthly basis or even a bimonthly basis because too many baths within too short a period of time can cause their coat to dry out. Besides this, interested individuals might want to use a double-row brush because the Indian Spitz has a double-layered coat.
9. Can Live in Different-Sized Homes
Some dogs don’t do very well in smaller spaces, meaning that they aren’t suitable for apartment dwellers. Indian Spitzes aren’t limited in this regard because they can live just fine in both smaller homes and bigger homes. Having said that, interested individuals should make sure that their Indian Spitz gets regular exercise no matter where they live. This will help their dog remain at a healthy weight, which is critical for protecting their long-term well-being. Furthermore, this will keep their dog stimulated, which can prevent a wide range of potential behavioral issues.
10. Can Suffer from Separation Anxiety
Indian Spitzes can be very fond of their human family members. In fact, they might be a bit too fond of the latter because they are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. Interested individuals have a number of methods that can be used to combat said issue. For example, they might train their Indian Spitz from an early age to get used to being alone, thus enabling them to handle such situations without getting upset. Similarly, they might bring a second dog into their household, thus ensuring that both dogs will have each other’s company.
