german-spitz-vs-plott

German Spitz vs Plott: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the German Spitz and the Plott? 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.

Let's get busy...

While German Spitz is a member of the Companion Group, Plott belongs to the group of Hound 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.

German Spitz vs Plott Size Comparison

Plotts are larger, with a typical height of 20 to 27 inches and weight of 40 to 75 pounds, while the typical height of German Spitz is 12 to 15 inches and they usually weigh 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.

German Spitz Height Visualization Plott Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

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

German Spitz vs Plott 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 Plotts.

Plotts' lifespan is 12 to 14 years.

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

Breed Name German Spitz German Spitz Plott Plott
Traits
Breed GroupCompanion DogsHound Dogs
Height12 to 15 inches20 to 27 inches
Weight21 to 29 pounds40 to 75 pounds
Life Span13 to 15 years12 to 14 years

German Spitz vs Plott 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...

German Spitzs have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Plotts.

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

Plott 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.

German Spitz tolerates cold weather better than Plott.

Plotts' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

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

AdaptabilityGerman SpitzPlott
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

German Spitz vs Plott 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 German Spitz and Plott. 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, German Spitz simply tends to do better.

Plott will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, German Spitz hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion 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.

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

All-Around FriendlinessGerman SpitzPlott
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 Plott 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 NeedsGerman SpitzPlott
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

German Spitz vs Plott 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 Plott 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.

TrainabilityGerman SpitzPlott
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do German Spitz and Plott 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 German Spitz and Plott 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 NeedsGerman SpitzPlott
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

German Spitz or Plott: The bottom line

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

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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