MyDogBreeds
Spitz is originated from Russia but Galgo Espanol is originated from Spain. Both Spitz and Galgo Espanol are having almost same height. Spitz may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Galgo Espanol. Both Spitz and Galgo Espanol has almost same life span. Spitz may have more litter size than Galgo Espanol. Spitz requires Moderate maintenance. But Galgo Espanol requires Low maintenance
A spitz is not a breed of dog, but rather a “group or family” of dogs that has its roots in Germany. Within this family there are a variety of breeds that were bred for very specific purposes by people in many different parts of the world. The spitz family can be toy dog size up to vey large. Examples run from the Pomeranian to the Canadian Eskimo Dog.
The Spitz family dogs share the look of thick, long fur and pointed muzzles, ears and curly tail. Despite their German name, they are thought to originally be of East Asia or Artic descent. Most of today’s spitz are from Siberia’s Artic region, first described in 1788 and in English in 1792. Spitz have been bred for three types of jobs depending upon where they were developed. These jobs included pulling, herding and hunting.
There are very powerful and large Spitz breeds that pull or hunt large game. Examples of these breeds are the Swedish Elkhound, the Akita Inu, the Norwegian Elkhound and the Karelian Bear Dog. The smaller sized breeds like the Samoyed hunted small mammals and birds, while the Finnish Lapphund, Lapponian Herder, and Swedish Lapphund herded, hunted and pulled small sleds.
The three largest spitz also pulled sleds throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. In most places the Canadian Eskimo Dog, the Alakan Malamute and the Greenland dog were used in sled racing and fur trapping while in Canada and Alaska the Siberian Husky was used for the same things.
Recently there have been genetic tests that show a large number of dogs that are considered Spitz type so share many strong ancestral ties and DNA similarities with wild wolves. It is now believed that a lot of these breeds were intentionally mated with wolves and some were accidental. Both domestic and wild dogs are included in this history.
Most spitz are made for cold weather, even today’s lapdogs, like the Pomeranian, do not do well in hot climates.
Galgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.
There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.
Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.
It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.
The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.
When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.
Most of the spitz breeds share a “look” that includes erect ears, stocky heavy, usually double coats, a pointed muzzle, thick, fluffy ruffs and a heavy curled tail carried high over the body. Build for northern climates they are insulated by a undercoat that is waterproof and dense and a less dense topcoat. Their ears are small to prevent frostbite and their paws have thick fur to protect them in the frigid, icy terrain.
Many still have wolf-like looks and tendencies. Some are very difficult to train to be companions – the Akita, Chow and especially the Karelian Bear Dog – fall into this category. Many mixed breed dogs are also considered members of the Spitz family. These dogs are easy to recognize as spitz because of these physical characteristics
Obviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.
The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.
1.Children friendliness excellent with almost all the breeds. Be careful of size. Smaller breeds may not be as friendly and larger may knock down small children.
They are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.
Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.
Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.
They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.
It is a little harder to characterize the health issues of a family of dogs than it is a .will overheat in hot climates due to their double coats. Here are some propensities of dogs in the Spitz family.
• Thrombopathia bleeding disorder with the risk of a hemorrhage, platets don’t clot.
• Larger breeds are affected by Elbow and Hip dysplasia that can cause arthritis and lameness.
Being a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.
Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.
As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.
While running, they are prone to injuries
1Feeding the puppy The Spitz family has high energy needs but in a slow-release so they need protein more than grain. Puppies should be fed 3-4x a day in small meals. Don’t overfeed them.
2.Feeding the adult – The Spitz type dog stores their energy to use in extended periods when working or playing. They will become obese if overfed or if they don’t get enough exercise. Feed 2-3X a day in small or medium sized meals, even the larger breeds because of their storage of calories.
4. Games and Exercises – Having been bred for endurance and stamina most Spritz breed need plenty of exercise, lots of space and lots of play. They love to run, jog, or play games. They are outdoors types who love to hike, and run or walk for long times over long distances. They are great in cold, wet weather but not so good in the heat. How much exercise they need depends on the size and history of the specific breeds. Most love to play with other dogs, so dog parks and dog day care can both be good choices for most of them. Agility, barnhunt, field trials, pulling games are all good choices.
Feed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.
Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.
They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.
He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.