spitz: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowNeutral to technical (in dog breeding contexts)
Quick answer
What does “spitz” mean?
A type of dog characterized by a pointed muzzle, thick fur, and a tail that curls over its back.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of dog characterized by a pointed muzzle, thick fur, and a tail that curls over its back.
Can refer to any dog breed within the broader Spitz type, characterized by wolf-like features including pointed ears, a thick double coat, and a curled tail.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term for the dog type.
Connotations
Neutral; associated with specific dog breeds (e.g., Pomeranian, Samoyed, Husky).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in contexts related to pets, dog shows, or breed descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “spitz” in a Sentence
[determiner] + spitz[adjective] + spitzbreed of spitzVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in pet industry marketing (e.g., 'We specialise in Spitz breeds').
Academic
Used in zoology, canine genetics, or animal husbandry papers discussing breed classifications.
Everyday
Used by dog owners, in pet-related conversations, or at dog shows.
Technical
Standard term in kennel club classifications, veterinary medicine, and dog breeding.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spitz”
- Misspelling as 'spits'.
- Using as a verb (it is a noun).
- Capitalising unnecessarily when not referring to a specific breed name (e.g., 'a spitz' not 'a Spitz').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a type or group containing many specific breeds (e.g., Pomeranian, Samoyed, Akita). The word can be used as a common noun for any dog of this type.
It comes from German 'Spitz', meaning 'pointed', referring to the dog's pointed muzzle and ears.
Yes, Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are classic examples of large spitz-type working dogs.
It is pronounced /spɪts/, rhyming with 'fits' or 'sits', in both British and American English.
A type of dog characterized by a pointed muzzle, thick fur, and a tail that curls over its back.
Spitz is usually neutral to technical (in dog breeding contexts) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SPITZ' as 'SPItz' has a Pointy muzzle and a Tail that curls like a 'Z'.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this concrete noun.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT typically a characteristic of a spitz dog?