DOG BREEDS
8 min
The Indian Spitz Dog Guide: Training, Grooming, Health Tips from Experts
Ready to bring home an Indian Spitz? Canine expert Shivani K guides you through all the information you need to raise a happy & well-behaved Indian Spitz dog!
Table of contents
Do you remember Tuffy from Hum Aapke Hain Koun? (1994) The charming canine superstar who wore sunglasses, danced at weddings, and even became an umpire during the family’s cricket match? Played by Redo, an Indian Spitz dog, Tuffy was more than just a pet in the film. He was an indispensable part of the family; he celebrated with them, grieved with them, and even delivered the letter that ultimately saved the love story. After the film, this fluffy little dog helped make the Indian Spitz one of the most loved pet breeds across India.
The Indian Spitz has been a favoured pet in India for decades, growing even more popular after the film. Often confused with the Pomeranian, the Indian Spitz is, in fact, a separate and proud breed of its own. Smart, playful, and affectionate nature- their small size and friendly nature make them a great fit for apartment life as well as larger households.
So, are you considering adopting an Indian Spitz puppy? Then let this article guide you through everything you need to know to raise them well, from understanding their breed history and temperament to meeting their training, grooming, and veterinary needs. Let’s dive in!
The Indian Spitz has been a favoured pet in India for decades, growing even more popular after the film. Often confused with the Pomeranian, the Indian Spitz is, in fact, a separate and proud breed of its own. Smart, playful, and affectionate nature- their small size and friendly nature make them a great fit for apartment life as well as larger households.
So, are you considering adopting an Indian Spitz puppy? Then let this article guide you through everything you need to know to raise them well, from understanding their breed history and temperament to meeting their training, grooming, and veterinary needs. Let’s dive in!
Redo, the original canine superstar of Bollywood!
Indian Spitz Origins: Where Is the Indian Spitz From?
As surprising as it may sound, the Indian Spitz dog is not a native Indian dog breed. The Indian Spitz dog is known to be a descendant of the German Spitz dog, brought to the Indian sub-continent during the British Colonial era. The German Spitz was a utility or working dog breed, originally tasked with the job of guarding and herding on farmlands and eventually became a companion dog. Their Indian counterparts were selectively bred over a few years to adapt to the Indian climate while retaining the intelligence of the original German Spitz.
During the 1970s, the Indian government implemented the License Raj to impose restrictions on foreign luxury imports, including foreign dog breeds. This led to a surge in the popularity of Indian native dog breeds, including the Indian Spitz, in the coming few decades.
Thanks to their intelligence, compact size, and loving nature, the breed quickly became a household favourite in our country.
During the 1970s, the Indian government implemented the License Raj to impose restrictions on foreign luxury imports, including foreign dog breeds. This led to a surge in the popularity of Indian native dog breeds, including the Indian Spitz, in the coming few decades.
Thanks to their intelligence, compact size, and loving nature, the breed quickly became a household favourite in our country.
Indian Spitz Physical Traits
The Indian Spitz is a small to medium-sized dog breed. It is generally divided into two categories, the Smaller or Lesser Indian Spitz (weighing 5 to 7 kg and 22-25 cm tall) and the Bigger Indian Spitz or Greater Indian Spitz (weighing 12 to 20 kg and 35 to 45 cm tall).
What remains common between the two varieties is their fluffy double coat with a dense undercoat and fox-like, pointed muzzle. While their coat is mostly pristine white, some variants with brown, dusky, or even black and white shades are found.
What remains common between the two varieties is their fluffy double coat with a dense undercoat and fox-like, pointed muzzle. While their coat is mostly pristine white, some variants with brown, dusky, or even black and white shades are found.
Indian Spitz Lifespan: How Long Do Indian Spitz Dogs Live?
The Indian Spitz dog can live up to 12 to 15 years and even longer. The key to ensuring a long life for your Indian Spitz is a balanced, species-appropriate diet, regular physical and mental exercise, and routine veterinary check-ups for an early diagnosis of any health concerns.
Indian Spitz Temperament: Are Indian Spitz Dogs Friendly?
Indian Spitz have a friendly and loving disposition, making them ideal family pets. They can sometimes be “one-master dogs”, that is, they may be more affectionate, attached, and responsive to the primary caregiver in the house. Indian Spitz can get along well with children as well as other dogs in the family, given they are socialised to their presence at an early age.
Certain aspects of the Indian Spitz’s temperament are shaped by its history of guarding and herding. They are highly intelligent and deeply sensitive to their environment. Thanks to their guarding roots, they can be wary of strangers, humans or other animals, and quick to bark at strangers entering their space. Their herding instincts make them naturally alert and highly responsive to sudden movements in their environment, whether it’s a passing vehicle or even a mop gliding across the floor, often triggering a playful chase. If they aren’t socialised to these triggers early on or given proper outlets for their instincts, they may become sensitive and react with fear or anxiety.
Indian Spitz Puppy Training Requirements
Known for their intelligence and independent streak, Indian Spitz puppies need proper training and socialisation at the right age to help them thrive in urban Indian households. Here are 4 key areas of training to focus on when raising Indian Spitz puppies:
- Socialisation: Indian Spitz puppies should be socialised to different people, hear new sounds, and smell different things at the right age so that they grow up feeling safe and confident around these stimuli. Given their breed instinct of being wary of strangers, special attention should be paid to socialising them with new people, both inside and outside their homes.
- Touch sensitisation: Given their double coat and adorable personalities, Indian Spitz dogs are bound to be handled by humans, whether it is during a rigorous grooming session or when they are out on walks. It is important to socialise Indian spitz puppies and work on touch desensitisation for older pups to avoid stress related to handling or grooming. Canine expert and Indian Spitz pet parent Kirti Tripathi also recommends working on cooperative care for dogs. to foster willing participation in grooming.
- Separation training: As a companion breed, Indian Spitz tend to be very attached to their owners and spending time without them can be a struggle. It is important to teach Indian Spitz puppies to spend short periods by themselves to prevent clingy behaviours and separation anxiety in the future. You can implement crate training or place training to help them feel safe and comfortable in your absence.
- Basic obedience training: Basic obedience commands such as Stay, Come, Leave/No are crucial for communicating boundaries and rules around the house. Indian Spitz are also known to be sound-sensitive and may bark at the slightest trigger. Along with desensitising them to sounds like the doorbell ringing, it is essential to teach them a “Quiet” command.
Indian Spitz Grooming
Owing to their thick double coat, Indian Spitz require regular grooming, especially during shedding seasons. Whether you groom them at home or take them to a grooming salon, desensitising them to touch or working on cooperative care techniques can help make grooming a stress-free experience for you and your dog.
- Daily brushing: Indian Spitz should be brushed using a slicker brush at least 3 to 4 times per week to prevent matting and reduce shedding around the house.
- Cleaning: They can be bathed every 15-20 days, depending on how dirty they get, using a mild, dog-safe shampoo. You can use a cotton cloth and warm water to clean their paws and muzzles after walks and meal times, respectively.
- Regular trims-n-checks: Ensure that the hair around their eyes and ears is trimmed regularly and the area is cleaned with a damp cloth. Nails can be trimmed once every 2 to 3 weeks or as needed to prevent overgrowth. Indian Spitz are prone to dental disorders, so their teeth should be brushed at least 2 -3 times per week to maintain proper dental hygiene.
Indian Spitz Health Concerns to Watch Out For
The Indian Spitz has adapted well to the Indian climate and is generally a hardy breed. However, there are some common health concerns that they can be prone to, such as:
- Eye issues: Some Indian Spitz are prone to tear staining, so ensure that you clean around the eyes regularly. A study published in 2021 suggests that Indian Spitz are also prone to developing corneal ulcers, possibly because of their eye shape or sensitivity. So, if you notice any discomfort, redness, squinting, or cloudiness, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Obesity: The Indian Spitz’s small stature means that even a little extra weight can cause joint or heart issues. It is best to stick to a balanced, species-appropriate diet, curated by a canine nutritionist and ensure adequate physical exercise.
- Skin issues: The Indian Spitz’s thick coat can trap moisture and bacteria, making them prone to fungal and bacterial infections. Daily brushing can help you keep an eye out for any abnormalities or skin issues.
- Dental issues: Small breeds often have a tendency to develop tartar buildup. Regular brushing and dental treats can help ensure proper dental health.
Final Thoughts
The Indian Spitz isn’t just a beautiful dog- it is an intelligent, alert, and loyal breed that can make for a wonderful addition to many homes. With consistent training, regular grooming and veterinary checks, you can ensure that your Indian Spitz leads a long and happy life. Whether you are planning to bring one home or already have one by your side, understanding their needs can help you build a strong and lasting bond.
Common FAQ
Q) Are Indian Spitz friendly?
Yes! Indian Spitz are known to be friendly, playful, and great with families. They can be wary of strangers, unless properly socialised.
Q) Are Indian Spitz aggressive?
Not really. Indian Spitz are generally well-behaved. They can be reactive towards people or dogs if they are not socialised properly.
Q) Can Indian Spitz live in hot weather?
Absolutely. The Indian Spitz breed was developed to adapt to India’s hot and humid climate and fare well in such weather. Just make sure they have access to shade and water, especially during summer.
Q) What does an Indian Spitz eat?
The Indian Spitz thrives well on a balanced, species-appropriate diet, whether it is from good quality dog food or a nutritionist-curated home-cooked diet.
Q) Are Indian Spitz and Pomeranians the same?
No, Indian Spitz and Pomeranians are not the same breed. The Indian Spitz vs Pomeranian confusion is an old one. Indian Spitz dogs are usually bigger, with a longer snout and a lighter coat. Pomeranians are smaller and fluffier.
Q) Do Indian Spitz shed a lot?
Yes, Indian Spitz can shed a lot, especially in shedding seasons, given their thick double coat. However, regular brushing can help keep the shedding under control.
Q) Can an Indian Spitz be left alone?
Yes, Indian Spitz dogs can be trained to be alone for a few hours every day. However, the separation training must be conducted gradually to help them cope better.
Q) Is the Indian Spitz a guard dog?
Yes, given their natural alertness, Indian Spitz dogs can be trained to be excellent guard dogs with proper training.
A big thank you to dog trainer Kirti Tripathi, who is also proud pet parent to an Indian Spitz named Candy, and to Dr. Rohit Joseph for generously sharing their valuable guidance and expertise throughout this article.
Happy Pet Parenting!
Q) Are Indian Spitz aggressive?
Not really. Indian Spitz are generally well-behaved. They can be reactive towards people or dogs if they are not socialised properly.
Q) Can Indian Spitz live in hot weather?
Absolutely. The Indian Spitz breed was developed to adapt to India’s hot and humid climate and fare well in such weather. Just make sure they have access to shade and water, especially during summer.
Q) What does an Indian Spitz eat?
The Indian Spitz thrives well on a balanced, species-appropriate diet, whether it is from good quality dog food or a nutritionist-curated home-cooked diet.
Q) Are Indian Spitz and Pomeranians the same?
No, Indian Spitz and Pomeranians are not the same breed. The Indian Spitz vs Pomeranian confusion is an old one. Indian Spitz dogs are usually bigger, with a longer snout and a lighter coat. Pomeranians are smaller and fluffier.
Q) Do Indian Spitz shed a lot?
Yes, Indian Spitz can shed a lot, especially in shedding seasons, given their thick double coat. However, regular brushing can help keep the shedding under control.
Q) Can an Indian Spitz be left alone?
Yes, Indian Spitz dogs can be trained to be alone for a few hours every day. However, the separation training must be conducted gradually to help them cope better.
Q) Is the Indian Spitz a guard dog?
Yes, given their natural alertness, Indian Spitz dogs can be trained to be excellent guard dogs with proper training.
A big thank you to dog trainer Kirti Tripathi, who is also proud pet parent to an Indian Spitz named Candy, and to Dr. Rohit Joseph for generously sharing their valuable guidance and expertise throughout this article.
Happy Pet Parenting!
Keywords:
indian spitz ,
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indian spitz puppies ,
indian spitz temperament ,
indian spitz origin
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