fox-terrier-vs-german-spitz

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the Fox Terrier and the German Spitz? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

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While Fox Terrier is a member of the Terrier Group, German Spitz belongs to the group of Companion Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz Size Comparison

Both breeds are more or less similar in size. Fox Terrier typical height is 12 to 15 inches and weight is 15 to 19 pounds, while the typical height of German Spitz is 12 to 15 inches and they usually weight 21 to 29 pounds

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Fox Terrier Height Visualization German Spitz Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Fox Terrier, German Spitz, American female, and American male.

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years, German Spitzs usually live longer than Fox Terriers.

Fox Terriers' lifespan is 10 to 15 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Fox Terrier and German Spitz compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name Fox Terrier Fox Terrier German Spitz German Spitz
Traits
Breed GroupTerrier DogsCompanion Dogs
Height12 to 15 inches12 to 15 inches
Weight15 to 19 pounds21 to 29 pounds
Life Span10 to 15 years13 to 15 years

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Luckily, Fox Terriers and German Spitzs are considered to be good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Fox Terriers and German Spitzs tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Fox Terrier tolerates hot weather better than German Spitz.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Luckily, both breeds tolarate cold weather well, so while you stick to the rules mentioned above, they should be fine and probably enjoy the cold weather.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

AdaptabilityFox TerrierGerman Spitz
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Fox Terrier and German Spitz. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, there's no much difference between these breeds.

Both Fox Terrier and German Spitz love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Fox Terriers and German Spitzs are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

All-Around FriendlinessFox TerrierGerman Spitz
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

German Spitz shed less than Fox Terrier do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.

Health And Grooming NeedsFox TerrierGerman Spitz
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

Fox Terrier vs German Spitz trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Novice owners should probably choose Fox Terrier over German Spitz as they are easier to train and aren't very stubborn. Still, you should be patient, and forget - persistence, and consistency are key in successfully training your dog.

This doesn't mean German Spitzs are untrainable, but you might also consider getting professional help.

TrainabilityFox TerrierGerman Spitz
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do Fox Terrier and German Spitz need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both Fox Terrier and German Spitz have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Physical NeedsFox TerrierGerman Spitz
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

Fox Terrier or German Spitz: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Fox Terriers and German Spitzs.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.

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