He
is officially called German Spitz by most Europeans, and Pomeranian by American
and English.Learn about the Lulu, whose official name is German Spitz or Pomeranian, according to country.
He
is officially called German Spitz by most Europeans, and Pomeranian by American
and English.
In some countries, in Brazil for instance, it has been affectionately named Lulu. It is the smallest of the Spitz dogs, a group that resembles foxes and takes us back to some of the oldest canine ancestors. All Spitz have characteristics in common, such as the narrow muzzle, raised high, small and triangular ears, curled tail, or carried over the back, and dense double coat. The most famous representatives of this group are the Siberian Huskies and the Akita. Lulu is from Germany, and belongs to the German Spitz breed, which has so many variations of sizes, they have been divided in 5 variations. From the Dwarf, approximately as tall as a Yorkshire, up to the Lupo, the biggest one of them, with the size of a German Shepphard, and considered a different breed in some countries (known as Keeshond). There are also the intermediate variations, Small, Medium and Large. Our little dog corresponds to the first two sizes, the Dwarf and the Small. In the American standard, however, the Dwarf is not accepted, and is considered another breed, called Pomeranian, the former name of a German region today named Mecklemburg.
Dynamic, the Lulu moves all the time, and plays with toys constantly. "When there is more than one, it is like carnival. They run one after the other, barking at each other," says Eliana Fonseca from Kennel Love Blue, in Avaré, SP. With that much energy, a shoe or sock may become entertainment. For that reason, it is necessary to teach the puppy its limits, so that when it grows and stays in the house by himself, he will not cause a "revolution".
Independent, he doesn't like to sit on the lap; he preffers the floor. He appreciates being near the owner, but it's not necessary for him to participate in his "games". Eliana says, "I have a Chihuahua, and as soon as I sit down, he comes to sit on my lap, but the closest the Lulus want to be is next to me."
They bark at any noise, "sometimes, just from hearing a visitor's voice at my neighbor's house," says Evelyn Luza, from Fox's Kingdom Kennel, in Recife. The breeder remembers something that happened to a friend. She was in her own room with her Lulu, the air condition was on, and the door closed. Her dog started to bark so intensely, she decided to check. When she got to the door, she a man walking away, maybe after trying to break into her house, and hearing the loud barking from the "guardian".
The dense coat of the Lulu is considered easy to maintain. Thicker and less silky than other dogs' coat, it doesn't tangle as much, demanding less brushing. The hair almost never splits, constantly keeping its aspect of a well groomed coat. It grows fluffed up, and since the hair in the legs is shorter, it doesn't get as dirty. "I have Yorkshires, Lhasa Apsos, Poodles and Lulus. The Lulu can go 2 months without brushing. All it needs is combing behind the ears every ten days. The others demand a weekly grooming, some of them even daily," says Zaki, from Kawadzki Kennel, in Curitiba. Joana Caldas from Kennel Jazad, in Recife, also compares the Lulu, "all he has to do is shake his body, and he looks beautiful, while in other breeds coat doesn't look as fluffy, sometimes looking even greasy."
The breed doesn't smell much, which allows baths every 2 or more months. the ears produce little wax, so cleaning doesn't have to be frequent. "The Lulu really needs less care than other small furry dogs," concludes Maria de Lourdes from Kennel Brazão Real, São Paulo, with her experience of breeding for 21 years.
Purchase of Puppy: Small, triangular and erect
ears, muzzle not too long, tail over the back, square body, dark eyes.
Special
Care: Around 4 months old pappy moults, and the adult once a year. Brush
to accelerate the process (lasts about a month) and to take out dead hair.
Official
Breed Names: German Spitz (CBKC and FCI). Pomeranian (ACB, in Brazil,
and AKC in the United States).
Sizes: CBKC/FCI - Dwarf
Spitz, up to 22cm (smaller sizes are accepted if general appearance is not
altered). Small Spitz, 23 to 29cm. Medium Spitz, 30 to 38cm. Large Spitz, 42 to
50cm. Spitz Lupo (Keeshod), 45 to 55cm, individuals up to 60cm are accepted if
general appearance isn't altered. AKC (published by Dog World magazine in
June/95) - Pomeranian from 1,359kg to 3,17kg; ideal weight for beauty shos is
1,812 to 2,265kg. P.S.: AKC weights correspond to Dwarf Spitz.
Colors
of the Dwarf and Small Spitz: Black, white, brown, orange, gray, and
others.
FCI Standard: Nº 09 / 02.05.92,
Reading
Material: The New Complete Pomeranian, by Viva Leone Ricketts. Howell
Book House, New York, USA.
We would like to thank the colaborators for their interviews
and review of text. We also thank cynologist Hilda Drumond and CBKC all rounder
judge José Pedutti Neto, for further text editing.
Research and text:
Flávia C. Soares. Text editor: Marcos Pennacchi
Picture: Luiz Henrique Mendes
Owner:
Kennel Love Blue
