German Spitz (Mittel) vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison

Originating in Germany, the German Spitz Mittel is an alert, vigilant dog and it is these qualities that made him sought after for working on farms.

He is no new breed and is the 3rd largest of the five German Spitz varieties. It is believed that the German Spitz descended from the Northern sled and herding dogs which arrived with the Vikings into Europe. When you do research you see that the dogs are mentioned in German literature which dates way back to to 1450 already.

The Chilean Fox Terrier, developed in Chile, is a dog breed which comes from crossing the British Fox Terrier with some of the local Chilean dogs.

The dog is thought to have been developed in the 19th century already, some time between 1790 and 1850.

The dog is known for its skills in catching rats and mice. Known also as the Chilean Rat Terrier, Terrier Chileno or Ratonero, the Chilean Fox Terrier hasn’t achieved formal recognition with any of the leading canine organizations.

The German Spitz Mittel is similar in looks to the other sizes of German Spitz. The Mittel is a medium sized dog and stands between 30 and 38cm in height and weighs between 7 and 11kg. You’ll find him in solid colors such as tan, liver, white, fawn, black or a mix of these colors.

He has a soft woolly undercoat and a long outercoat with a mane-like ruff at the neck. He has a fairly long muzzle, dark eyes, sharp erect ears and a bushy tail which curls over his back.

Temperament:

Affectionate, faithful, and always happy by nature, the German Spitz Mittel is a family companion that wants to be part of everything his human family is up to. He makes a good watchdog. He is alert and has a distrust of strangers.

He gets on well with children in the home and he can also live in peace with other dogs. Because he is an intelligent dog, you won’t have much trouble with training- and socializing him, although he will require a firm, consistent owner and trainer.

Training and socialization are important as there are always some important commands such as sit, stay, come and lie down that you will want him to respond to immediately.

The Chilean Fox Terrier looks almost identical to his ancestors. He stands between 30 – 40cm and weighs between 5 to 9kg.

He is squarely proportioned, he is athletic looking and well muscled with long, slender legs. Many of these dogs are born with naturally short tails, but if not, then the tail is usually docked after the first or second vertebrae. Now that docking is falling out of favor, the breed is losing that distinctive look.

The head of the Chilean Fox Terrier is triangular with the muzzle being somewhat shorter than the Smooth Fox Terrier. The ears of the Chilean Fox Terrier are smallish and high set, being partially erect. The coat of the dog is short and thick and essentially white while the face is usually tan and black.

Temperament:

The Chilean Fox Terrier is loyal with his human family and can fit in well with a family where there are children and other pets.

Training and socialization become necessary for the dog so that he becomes obedient and amicable around his family and with strangers. He isn’t an aggressive dog but he is alert and can make an excellent watch dog.

He is dominant and confident and also intelligent and easily trainable. He is an active dog so he will require exercise every day, whether he lives in the city or in the country.

People who have owned a German Spitz Mittel are delighted with him, saying that he is such an easy-going, happy dog. He is social and thrives on the interaction he has with his human family.

He won’t do well if you simply put him in your backyard and forget about him, using him merely as a watchdog.

The German Spitz Mittel dog is one dog that definitely lives up to the title of man’s best friend. He is social, happy, loving, loyal, playful, entertaining and smart too, and when you treat him the way he deserves, you’ve got the most awesome friend.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a lively dog with an alert expression. He has become a popular companion dog, being less aggressive than other Terriers.

When you treat him well he becomes a loyal friend and forms a strong bond with his human owners. He gets on well with children who have been taught to respect animals, but he tends to become a bit aggressive around other dogs of the same sex.

Socialization and training however can make him much more relaxed around other dogs.

He is an attractive little dog with his short coat, giving the appearance of being well groomed. He can adapt to country- or city life too. He is such an easy dog to keep too so why not choose him as your 4-legged family member? He promises to make the perfect family companion.

German Spitz dogs are healthy, and when you shower him with love and attention and good food, you can expect to have him around for up to 15 years of age.

Of course, as with any other healthy dog breeds, there are always one or two common dog illnesses that your dog may get. These include hip dysplasia and eye diseases. If you notice symptoms that indicate possible joint issues with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

Patellar Luxation for instance occurs when your dog’s kneecap is dislocated. It is more common in toy breeds like the German Spitz. It can be painful for your pet and lead to lameness. If your dog has problems with his hip, it can actually force the patella out of its groove, which is a secondary condition.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a healthy breed who doesn’t appear to have any particular health issues. It doesn’t mean that your dog will be free from disease, but it is worth knowing that a quality diet, fresh water and lots of love and attention does enhance longevity in a pet.

It is to your benefit to know about one or two common diseases that your dog could get.

Bloat:

You’ll notice your pet’s stomach being swollen. Bloat is a disease which can become dangerous because the stomach can twist. Once this happens, gas can’t escape from the stomach and your pet will want to vomit, he’ll salivate and you’ll notice unusual restless kind of behavior. You need to get him to the vet as soon as possible.

Kidney Disease:

This is also a disease that any dog can develop and can be a complication of another pet disease such as Lyme disease. One of the first signs of kidney disease in dogs is drinking more often than usual and also urinating more often.

He’ll lose his appetite and be lethargic and likely lose weight. Kidney disease is a serious disease and you will need to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Grooming:

You can help reduce loose hairs with your German Spitz by brushing his thick coat twice a week. It’s a good time to also inspect your dog for ticks and fleas.

Exercise:

Your German Spitz Mittel isn’t the most active dog, but he will still need regular exercise. Going on a walk is good for both you and him. He is a mentally sharp dog too and these walks keep him both physically- and mentally fit. He also loves ball games.

Diet:

Every dog deserves the best food, and if you feed your German Spitz Mittel with a commercially manufactured dog food, make sure its one of the top quality ones. You want to avoid foods packed with preservatives, colorants and fillers. You want dog foods with minerals and vitamins with high protein and ingredients such as Omega 3 and 6 to promote health skin.

There are also some dog foods which have ingredients in them such as polyphosphates. Ingredients like this keep your dog’s teeth clean.

Try and also give him some cooked rice, vegetables and chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat. He should never be without fresh, cool water.

The Chilean Fox Terrier is a low maintenance breed and this means you won’t be having to part with any money on grooming sessions for him. He’ll basically require a brushing twice a week.

The Chilean Fox Terrier, as a smaller dog breed, will also require regular dental brushing, as neglecting this can result in dental problems as well as a host of diseases that are associated with gum disease and tooth decay.

Make sure to feed him a quality diet full of vitamins and minerals and ensure he always has fresh, cool water available.