Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dogs come in so many different breeds, colors, and sizes! Ranging from Retrievers to Bulldogs to Hounds, there are so many dog breeds to choose from. One very popular type of dog is the ‘Spitz.’ The word ‘Spitz’ means ‘pointed’ in German. Most Spitz breeds have a pointed nose, a wolf-like appearance, a heavy double coat, and a feathery rounded tail.

Dog breeds that fall in the Spitz category are affectionate, intelligent, and loyal. They are also bold and independent dogs that respond well to their primary owner. Spitz dog breeds are also working dogs. They can suit various purposes such as hauling sleds, herding animals, and retrieving game. Due to their heavy cost, they need regular brushing in order to minimize shedding.

Approximately 50-70 dog breeds fall within the Spitz category, and there is no hardline definition of the Spitz category (akc.org).

Let’s have a look at some of the most spectacular Spitz breeds.

1. Samoyed

The Samoyed is a breed native to Siberia. They have thick white coats and naturally smiling expressions. The thick coat helps them stay warm in Siberia’s frigid temperatures. The naturally smiling expression is because their mouth has upturned corners. This stops them from drooling so that icicles don’t form on their face. The Samoyed is a powerful and graceful medium to large-sized dog that lived with semi-nomadic people. It served useful purposes of guarding, hunting, herding reindeer, and pulling sleds. The Samoyed dog breed is loving, loyal, adaptable, and popular, even to this day. This breed requires plenty of exercise and outdoor time, as well as affection from its owners.

2. Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz belongs to the Spitz category and is native to India. It was first introduced by the British during the colonial era, in the 19th century. This breed is a descendant of the German Spitz. After years of breeding, this of the species was created. The Indian Spitz was able to cope with the intensely hot summers of the Indian subcontinent while retaining the adaptability and intelligence of the German Spitz. The Indian Spitz resembles a Samoyed and Pomeranian in appearance. It can also easily adapt to the Indian subcontinent’s climatic conditions.

3. Pomeranian

An extremely popular toy breed, the Pomeranian weighs less than seven pounds. Yet it makes up for its tiny size with a commanding personality! The Pomeranian is unlike many other breeds that fall within the Spitz category. The pom has been a favorite choice for famous historical figures and royals like Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria. The Pomeranian is more than a simple lapdog. They are intelligent dogs that are great at canine sports and often serve as therapy dogs. They are alert barkers and make pocket-sized watchdogs.

4. German Spitz

The German Spitz and the Pomeranian are closely related. Infect both these breeds share the same ancestry. The German Spitz is bigger in size and can weigh 25 lbs. and grow to 15 inches in height. The German Spitz love attention and are a lively and loving breed. They are also known to be extremely devoted to their owners. They are also extremely independent dogs and can be stubborn sometimes. The German Spitz is also a highly trainable breed but requires a degree of consistency.

5. Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is famous for its wolf-like appearance and its reputation as a sled dog. This breed has its originsin the semi-nomadic Chukchi people. These people resided in the frozen northeastern Asian regions. Functioning in packs, the Siberian Husky can pull light loads across vast distances with sleds. The Siberian Husky is known to be an extremely friendly breed. Huskies are also playful, energetic, and amicable. The Siberian Husky is one of the most popular Spitz breeds in the US. That being said, the breed does have some negative traits. They possess a high prey drive. They also need a lot of physical and mental stimulation due to their natural desire to roam.

6. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes closely resemble the Siberian Husky, but the Malamute is larger. At times a Malamute can weigh twice as much as a husky. They are one of the oldest dog breeds. This breed can be traced back to domesticated wolves that accompanied paleolithic hunters. So rightly said, the Alaskan Malamute is a classic dog breed. Even though they are called the ‘Alaskan’ Malamute, the breed originated from Serbia. The Malamute’s ancestors entered Alaska several thousands of years ago. The Alaskan Malamute, similar to the Siberian Husky, are also sled dogs. They specialize in the hauling of large sleighs across the arctic, but they lack in terms of speed. If keeping a Malamute at home, you should know that they also require large amounts of daily exercise, being high-energy dogs.

7. American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo dog is also known for its high level of intelligence. This breed has long fluffy white coats and mild temperament. They are not too aggressive or too timid. The Eskimo dog breed is vigilant and alert. Though they are friendly by nature, they are not too aloof around unfamiliar humans. Even though this breed is named the American ‘Eskimo’ dog, they are not historically linked to Eskimos. The breed entered the US through German immigrants in the early 19th century. This breed is also closely related to the German Spitz. It can be said that the German Spitz is a direct descendant of the American Eskimo dog.

These are all great dogs and we wish we had one of each. 🙂 If you have one of these dogs, we would love to see pictures, so email them over.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.