Anybody have spitz type dogs?

Jellicat

Thinking about getting a dog at some point this year, although its a long way off. I am totally in love with the Finnish Lapphund, which are a small type of spitz but tend to have less of the "independant" nature common to spitz dogs as they are herders rather than sledge pullers.

Does anyone keep spitz dogs here? I'm concerned about keeping them cool during the summer months, and even during the winter, I've heard they like to go and lie in the snow to cool down! How easily do they overheat, and tips on keeping them cool? Also, how do people find them in terms of health and so on?

pboae

I don't have a spitz, but I have a St. Bernard and over heating is a big problem. Luckily my house is naturally cool at the back, and we have a stone floor for him to lie on. In the summer we keep the curtains drawn in the day, and I am seriously considering having air con installed, primarily for him and the chinchillas, but also for OH ;-)

In peak summer we don't take him out much in the daytime, his main walk is around 9pm at night.

I worry about what would happen if we broke down with him, so if we travel for any distance I have a cool box and take bottles of frozen water, doggy icepops (sardines or meat stock mushed into water and frozen), and frozen towels. As the water defrosts he has chilled water to drink, and I get his belly clipped short so when he lies on a cold towel it cools him quickly. I don't get him fully clipped as their coat is an important part of their heat regulation.

So far he has never suffered serious heat exhaustion, but despite all the above precautions we have had a couple of situations were he was getting quite close to it, so I am even more cautious now.

In the winter it's not usually a problem, but we don't go anywhere, not even round the block, without a large bottle of cold water.

I believe though, that spitz dogs have certain health issues to do with spaying and also I think anesthetics. I am not 100% sure about the details though. There used to be someone very knowledgeable about spitz who posted on the forum at taking the lead http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/forum/ , it's probably worth you asking over there to see if she is still around.

Jellicat

Thanks for that, I didn't think it would be as big of an issue! I'm still in the considering stage as it is, but I did so like lappies! As it will be a flat I'll be living in (a large one, and landlord says animals are ok, and near to a nice big park) I wouldnt be able to consider things like air con. And from what I've heard Lappies are very energetic so it would probably be even harder to keep him/her cooled. And I'd have to have them spayed as well. Ah dear. Perhaps I should reconsider my breed choice .

pboae

Well please don't base it on my vague recollections! I might have got it completely wrong.

Jellicat

I wont...I was more concerned about the lengths you have to go through with your st bernard. Dont know if a dog of that type would be practical at the moment for. Tis a shame, they are lovely wee things . Still, I'll consider it some more, I hadnt finalised what breed I want anyway.

shelley_crow

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Jellicat

I'm not so concerned about the grooming, and I was planning on getting a black or red one anyway. I've heard Finnish lapphunds aren't as bad as normal spitz for yipping and howling, thankfully, my neighbour had an Alaskan malamute and the noise was unreal!

RooBee

I have a Chow X and a Newfoundland.

My two don't seem to suffer unduly most of the time. In unusually hot weather, my Newf does seem a bit uncomfortable but she has a cool bed to sleep on and we wet her down to keep her cool. They are walked early morning and late evening and we take them to places they can swim in hot weather as much as possible so they can exercise and keep cool at the same time. However, most spitz aren't great water dogs so may not be an option with a Lappie. We also have portable water bottles/bowls for walks. I've lost count of the times that those have proved to beneficial for other people's dogs whose owners don't seem to consider the effects of heat on their smaller or short coated dogs :roll: In the house, they tend to seek out the coolest spots but we have wooden or tiled floors throughout so plenty of cool places for them.

When we travel in the car, we have 'portable' cool beds and carry bottles of iced/frozen water. We also have a custom made tailgate guard so that if we have to stop for any reason (e.g. break down), the boot can be opened and the dogs are safe behind the (padlocked) guard which allows for maximum airflow.

I know people who live in really warm climates (Arizona, Florida) and have Newfoundlands so dogs can definitely adapt to climate as long as the owners apply a bit of common sense.

sammy_kaye18

RooBee wrote: »

I've lost count of the times that those have proved to beneficial for other people's dogs whose owners don't seem to consider the effects of heat on their smaller or short coated dogs

Lol - Ive always gotten stupid looks when i carry a water bottle for bruno (a little portable thing - bottle not dog!) because he is a short haired a;; white jack russell but liek i tell bf hes off in and out of bushes etc and liek i told him Bruno still gets hot although he is a more sun friendly colour he still needs a drink too. PLus we have helped a few dogs out on our walks too - we have a big forest up by us where people walk their dogs and there was an owner with his akito/akita? (japanese fighting dog thing you knwo the one i mean) and he was throwign a ball fro it and basically running it ragged. Poor thing practically collapsed in the shade gasping and panting away under a tree with its owner sat with it stroking it and we gave it some water and it was right as rain - i dont get people who do that and take precautions for themselves but not their animals. Brunos 'room' is our hallway - which is mainly shade bar early mornign and we have a baby gate and plank of wood which we wedge int eh door and put the baby gate above it so he can see out but cant get out and this helps keep the air circulating in his room and him cool.

When we travel in the car, we have 'portable' cool beds.

can i ask a stupid question but what is a cool bed? my mothe rin law has a collie dog who really feels the heat nad she travels a fair bit back and forth to a caravan and was thinking this might help keep her cool on travels and whilst shes there in the summer. Might see about getting one for bruno too.

RooBee

I have two types of cool bed.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANINE-COOLER-Chillow-Pet-Dog-Cool-Bed-Mat-Pad-LARGE_W0QQitemZ330224583980QQihZ014QQcategoryZ66770QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122
This one is water filled and maintains a steady cool (not cold) temperature. It also acts a bit like a memory foam mattress and very good for supporting the joints. However, because it is water filled, it is very heavy (mine is the largest size) so only suitable if you don't need to move it. My Newf uses hers all year round.

For travel, I have these ones: http://www.hubintsecured.co.uk/acatalog/Body_Cooling_-_Body_Heating_Products_-_Car_Vents.html (scroll towards bottom of page)
These ones are soaked in water to 'activate' the core. The top remains dry to the touch once they have been soaked an left to drip for a short while. They are light, easily portable, can be refrigerated for extra cooling before use and can be dried out and stored away when not needed. When in use, they need to be resoaked every few days. Perfect for travelling/occasional ise but not so convenient for year-round countinuous use.

tinkerbelle

I have a german spitz at home and he is now coming up to 13 this year. Before we got Oscar i was petrified of dogs and we had a collie previous to getting him that we had to have re homed as i was scared of him.

He is the most gorgeous dog ever. He is really good around children. At present we have children ranging from 10 months to 6 years that are around him.

He is quite content to be left at home by himself. I brush him about twice a week which does the trick. He is a brown colour so we do not see the dirt as much on him.

In the 13 years that we have had him he only every been ill once and stayed at the vets overnight.

Oscar has a lot of fur and during the summer, i just make sure that he has lots of water and he likes ice cubes. During the winter he seems to be fine as he likes to lay on top of the electric blanket!

The only downside to having a german spitz is that he barks. This is generally if the door goes or someone comes in that he does not know.

When i have to get another dog, i will be going for a german spitz again.