

The Mittelspitz is a cheerful, extremely loyal companion—bred as an incorruptible guardian of house and farm who alerts you to any intruder but does not hunt. This deep attachment to his territory and his people makes him an ideal, albeit talkative, watchdog.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Mittelspitz fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
13–15 yrs
Shoulder height
30–38 cm
Weight
7–11 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Mittelspitz, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Mittelspitz — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Mittelspitz is like a living alarm system with a built-in need for cuddles—he won't miss a single sound at the garden fence, but his favorite place is right at your feet. You aren't getting a trendy fashion dog, but an absolutely loyal, vigilant original who would go through fire for his family, as long as you take his warnings seriously.
Mittelspitz dogs belong to the Spitz family, which is known for its pointed ears and fluffy tails that curl characteristically over the back. They are graceful, compact dogs with a square build, meaning their height at the withers roughly corresponds to the length of their body. They have a distinctive gait and proudly show off their full, thick mane, which encircles their neck and gives them a lion-like appearance. Mittelspitz dogs belong to FCI Group 5, which encompasses Spitz and primitive breeds. Within this group, they belong to Section 4, the European Spitzes. In Germany, they are available in five sizes: Wolfspitz (Keeshond), Giant Spitz (Großspitz), Mittelspitz, Miniature Spitz (Kleinspitz), and Pomeranian (Zwergspitz). The Mittelspitz sits, as the name suggests, right in the middle of this size spectrum.
The Mittelspitz is a versatile dog that thrives in many different environments and roles. Although once used as a farm and guard dog, today he is a popular family and companion dog. He is intelligent and eager to learn, making him a great candidate for various dog sports such as agility, obedience, or dog dancing. This dog is very alert and watchful, making him an excellent guardian of his home and family. Although he is not an aggressive dog, he will certainly bark to alert his people if he notices anything suspicious. Despite his vigilance, he is not a fearful or suspicious dog. He is generally friendly toward strangers, as long as he senses they pose no threat. The Mittelspitz is a lively dog with a good amount of energy. He loves to play and romp around and will happily run with his humans or other dogs. Despite his energy, he is not a hyperactive dog and can also relax well and enjoy the quieter moments of life. This dog is very people-oriented and builds a strong bond with his family. He always wants to be part of the action and involved in everything going on around the house. Therefore, it is important that you give him enough time and attention and do not leave him alone for too long. A Mittelspitz that feels neglected can become unhappy and develop behavioral problems. The Mittelspitz can generally learn to stay alone well, but this should be practiced slowly and with plenty of patience and positive reinforcement. You should be careful not to leave him alone for too long, as he misses his people dearly when they are not around. This dog has a moderate prey drive, which can be easily controlled through training and socialization. He will happily chase birds or squirrels in the park, but he will generally not try to run away or put himself in dangerous situations. It is important that you socialize him well from the start and teach him to listen to your commands, even when distracted. The Mittelspitz is an intelligent animal that enjoys learning and being mentally challenged. You can teach him many different tricks and commands, and he will pick them up quickly. He responds well to positive reinforcement and will do anything to earn a reward. It is important to keep his training varied and interesting so he does not get bored. All in all, the Mittelspitz is a wonderful companion who thrives in many different environments and living situations. With proper socialization, training, and attention, he will become a loyal and lovable member of your family.
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Mittelspitz is a very old dog breed and can trace its roots back to the Middle Ages? Even back then, these dogs were known for their alertness and charming nature!
The Mittelspitz is a lively and intelligent dog known for its adaptability. It is friendly with people and other animals but requires consistent training and sufficient activity. Mittelspitze are active dogs that enjoy playing and mental stimulation. They are well-suited as family dogs and are easy to care for due to their medium-length coat.
Medium Spitz make wonderful family dogs and generally get along well with children as long as they are respectful and careful. They are also suited to city life as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. They generally get along well with other dogs and can also get along well with cats and other pets if they are used to it from an early age.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Adapts well to city living and urban environments.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
The Mittelspitz is a clever and trainable dog who enjoys learning new things and being mentally challenged. His intelligence and eagerness to please make him a good candidate for many types of dog sports and training, such as agility, obedience, or trick training. Throughout this, it is important to always work with positive reinforcement and not overwhelm the dog. It is important to socialize the Mittelspitz well from an early age and teach him how to deal with frustration. Good impulse control is essential to prevent the dog from overreacting to exciting stimuli, which can make him difficult to control. A well-socialized and trained Mittelspitz can be a wonderful companion who fits well into family life and gets along well with other people and dogs.
The Mittelspitz is an active dog that requires a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. The amount of food can vary depending on the dog's size, age, activity level, and health status. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right amount and type of food for your Mittelspitz. In terms of grooming, the Mittelspitz is relatively easy to care for. He has a double coat, with a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat. This coat acts as natural protection against the cold and heat, making him very adaptable to various climate conditions—including the German weather. However, he sheds his undercoat twice a year and requires a bit more grooming during these periods to prevent matting and keep the coat clean.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid
Health grade
In the Mittelspitz, patellar luxation (PL) and hip dysplasia (HD) represent the main orthopedic risks. The Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V. makes an examination for patellar luxation (PL) with the limit value PL 0–1 mandatory for breeding approval. Responsible breeders additionally have their breeding dogs examined for hip dysplasia (HD). Before buying a puppy, have the breeder present the official results for both parent animals for patellar luxation (PL) and ideally also for hip dysplasia (HD).
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
With regular check-ups, joint-friendly upbringing, and proper coat care—a Spitz should never be shaved—most dogs stay fit for a long time.
Responsible breeders test for patellar luxation (PL) in accordance with club requirements and also have their breeding animals screened for hip dysplasia (HD) to prevent joint problems.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 reflects the tests Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V. actually mandates. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Club standard. Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V.
Acceptable result: Nachweis der DNA-Lagerung nebst DNA-Karte
Wesensbeurteilung
Required by Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V.
Acceptable result: Erfüllung der Mindestanforderungen oder bestandene Begleithundeprüfung
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Mittelspitz costs around ~€170 per month (€90 – €310, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,700 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (14 years) it comes to about ~€30,950.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€160 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€170
In the first year
~€4,700
Across the dog's life
~€30,950
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
We currently have no breeders for this breed who have passed our verification. Create your short buyer profile: we'll set up your search alert, review a possible source and email you within 28 days.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe history of the Spitz breed dates back thousands of years and is believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds. Spitz were found in many parts of Europe and Asia and were known for their versatility as herding, guard and companion dogs. The Mittelspitz, as we know it today, comes from Germany and was once a very common farm and guard dog. He was valued for his alert nature and independence. The Spitz was recognized as a separate breed at the end of the 19th century, when systematic breeding of Spitz began and different sizes and colors were established.
The Mittelspitz was bred to be a guard and companion dog, known for its alertness and friendly nature.
Germany
Mittelalter
Owners consistently describe the Medium German Spitz as a very affectionate dog that's always present in family life. Many jokingly call it a little "shadow" that follows its people everywhere at home and always wants to know what's going on. Despite its cuddly look, owner accounts stress that it isn't just a lap dog but a bright, sturdy companion that enjoys being outdoors, likes to retrieve and keeps up well on long hikes. Indoors it usually settles down nicely once it's had something to do, provided it has learned to switch off.
Many owners count its nearly absent or very easily managed prey drive as a real plus. According to owner reports, off-leash walks on field and forest paths are often far more relaxed than with many other breeds, because the Spitz naturally stays close to its people. The flip side of this close bond is being left alone: owners often note that alone time has to be trained very carefully, in small steps, from puppyhood, because the Medium German Spitz tends to protest or develop separation stress when its family isn't within reach.
Sources:hundeseite.demit-tier.despitz-info.detasso.netdogorama.app
Its strong alerting and guarding behavior dominates training discussions in forums and owner groups. Because the watchdog instinct runs deep in the breed's genes, many dogs bark right away at unfamiliar noises, at the front door or at the garden fence. Experienced owners agree that a Spitz doesn't have to be an uncontrollable nonstop barker, but its love of barking has to be guided with clear leadership and consistency from puppyhood on. If you leave it up to the dog to decide what needs guarding, the guarding can quickly take on a life of its own.
In class and in training, Medium German Spitzes prove very quick to learn, clever and fast to respond. They pick up commands and tricks in no time and are easy to motivate with praise and play. At the same time, owners warn against pressure or excessive harshness: they describe the breed as sensitive but also willful. If the owner is unfair or impatient, the Spitz turns stubborn or withdraws, which is why a calm, fair training approach with positive reinforcement is seen as the key to success.
Owners mostly share good experiences on grooming and health. In practice, the Medium German Spitz is seen as a weatherproof, hardy and long-lived breed that rarely runs up vet bills for chronic breed-typical conditions. The health checkpoint that comes up most is patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap), which responsible owners and breeders watch closely. Some dogs also put on weight quickly with too little exercise and too much food, which puts needless strain on the joints.
The full coat with its dense undercoat often looks like more work to outsiders than it really is day to day. Owners report that the outer coat repels dirt and that dried mud can usually just be brushed out after walks. Regular combing is plenty during normal periods. For many, though, the twice-yearly coat change is a real test of patience: for those weeks the Medium German Spitz sheds huge amounts of undercoat, which means daily brushing and a high tolerance for dog hair around the house.
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Mittelspitz is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Mittelspitz is 13-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Mittelspitz grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Mittelspitz can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Mittelspitz comes in these colors: White, Black, Brown, Orange, Wolf grey, Cream, Sable, Black and tan, Brown and tan, Piebald.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Mittelspitz.