German Spitz Grooming

The German Spitz dog breed has a thick, double-layered coat that requires a moderate amount of upkeep. One important (and perhaps little-known) aspect of Spitz breed coats is that they provide natural insulation for the dogs and help regulate their body temperature. For this reason, many people choose not to clip these dogs' coats too short.

Below you'll find further details on coat care (including brushing and bathing) and on optional hairstyles.

In terms of coat care, German Spitz grooming will take a moderate amount of work. For most of the year these dogs only need brushing a couple of times per week--but during the 2- to 3-week spring and fall shedding seasons, when they "blow" their undercoats, they'll need brushing daily. And their coats are waterproof and don't get dirty easily, so they'll only need baths occasionally (3-4 times per year) unless they get especially dirty or stinky. Most groomers and owners advise against giving a German Spitz a haircut, but if you choose to do so, taking the dog to a professional groomer is recommended.

Brushing: Owners will need either a pin or slicker brush and a 2-in-1 comb. First, starting at the shoulders go over the entire coat with the brush, moving against the direction of hair growth. Repeat with the comb, and use it to work out any mats or tangles. During shedding season, you can also go through the coat with a shedding rake to help remove any dead hairs from the undercoat.

Bathing: First give the dog a thorough brushing, then wet the entire coat. Using canine shampoo, lather well, then rinse completely. Repeat with conditioner if desired. Towel- and/or blow-dry, then finish with another quick brush-through to make the coat look neat and clean.

Haircuts: For this type of grooming, German Spitz dogs are best in the hands of professionals--and most groomers will tell owners not to shave or clip their Spitzes. Dogs of this breed type have naturally insulated coats that keep them cool in summer and warm in winter, and clipping a Spitz coat will permanently ruin this insulation. Even so, some owners still choose to give their German Spitz a haircut, and a few styles are described in the Styling & Haircuts section of this page.

A majority of groomers, breeders, and owners believe no Spitz breed dogs should have their coats clipped or stripped, as doing so will cause permanent damage to the coat. If you decide to do it anyway, here are several popular German Spitz haircut styles, all of which will need to be done by a professional:

• Puppy Cut: The entire coat is clipped short, to 1-2 inches, with the hair on the head, feet, and tail sometimes left a bit longer. Great cut for those needing a "low-maintenance" style.
• Lion Cut: Makes a German Spitz resemble a tiny lion. The rear half of the body, the hind legs, and most of the tail are clipped short, while the head, neck, chest, and front legs are left full length. Round "poms" of hair are sculpted on the end of the tail and the feet. Will need frequent touch-up from a groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: Similar to a Puppy Cut, except the head, legs, and tail are carefully sculpted and rounded to make the dog resemble a stuffed animal.