When we speak of German dog breeds, the first image or word that comes to our mind is the German Shepherd which is understandable since it has the word “German” in it.
However, German dogs have a wide variety of breeds that range from the German hunting dog breeds to the larger and even smaller ones.
You should know for a fact that Germany is the third biggest producer of mixed dog breeds. You could see so many working dogs in the country, and we could tell that Germany is happy to flaunt that it is one of the largest markets for dogs.
Here, we’ll break down some of the large and small German dog breeds you never knew came from Germany.
1. American Eskimo
The American Eskimo is particularly bred from a Nordic breed of dogs known as the German Spitz. It is one of the few breeds that grow in a variety of sizes from standard to miniature and even toy size.
2. Dachshund
Dachshunds are known for their trademarked long and low-slung bodies, pointed snouts, and floppy ears which make them recognizable even at first glance. Needless to say, Germany is the birthplace of this breed.
3. Eurasier
The Eurasier is a crossbreed between a Wolf Spitz, a Samoyed, and a Chow Chow, all combined to make up a big ball pure of fluffy hair. This mid-sized dog is known for being a family dog, one that can understand the family language.
4. Pomeranian
Who would’ve thought that Pomeranians are bred from Germany? Surprisingly, Pomeranians are another different breed from the German Spitz and are named after Pomerania where they were first discovered. This dog breed has been famous for its cute and bubbly personalities that come with its size.
5. Rottweiler
Want a brief history class? Rottweilers are a breed developed by the Romans to supposedly contain ancient Germanic tribes, so why is it in Germany? Well, Rottweilers became the very foundation stock for many German breeds we know of. It’s the breed that is more likely to be associated with having aggressive behavior.
6. Weimaraner
The “Silver Ghost” as they call it is a bred that was originally a gundog in Germany. This dog breed is most commonly sought out by hunters as it’s naturally good when it comes to hunting. It is the type of dog who would not want to lounge around your porch.
7. Schnauzer
You might have seen this breed in dog movies or even in a normal Hollywood movie. Schnauzers are known for their intelligence, and they are a barn-and-stable breed that came from Germany.
They are easily recognizable because of their peppiness and whiskered snout. Like American Eskimos, they also grow into three different sizes: miniature, standard, and giant.
8. German Shepherd
Now here comes one of the most well-known dog breeds around the world. The German Shepherds are known for their all-purpose abilities from being assistant dogs to house dogs – and even police dogs!
The German Shepherds have a reputation for being high-strung and easily trainable dogs. They were originally bred in Germany but were later introduced to the US after World War I ended.
9. Poodle
You might have thought of poodles as the dogs for elegant people because they’re normally depicted in movies as such. Or, you might have seen one getting a haircut from a salon, but did you know that they were originally bred as duck hunters?
The Germans thought about how the Poodle’s curly coat makes it float and instantly makes it an incredible swimmer.
10. Leonberger
A mixture of a longhaired Saint Bernard Dog, a Great Pyrenees, and Newfoundland results in this enormous and mischievous ball of fur. Despite its large size, the Leonberger is playful and is considered a family dog.
Some have also been entrusted by parents of watching their children as their intimidating appearance can easily scare away strangers who are not familiar with this dog breed.
11. Jagdterrier
Literally means “Hunt Terrier” in the German Language, this dog breed is developed as a versatile hunting dog serving its name. The Jagdterriers are also known to be reliable and are easily trainable which makes less trouble for the hunters as they serve as great companions.
12. Hovawart
Hovawarts are a breed that came from many varieties of dog breeds. It originated in the black forest in Germany, and to some accounts, it has also been spotted in regions of Harz.
The Hovawarts make the perfect example of what a mountain and hunting dog should look like: intimidating, big, and hardworking. They are, however, not easy to please.
13. Great Dane
The Great Dane breed is also known as the “Apollo of dogs”. Apollo is the name of the Greek God of the sun which would explain why some dog breeds look up to the Great Dane. This German dog breed stands proud and tall. It was originally bred to hunt wild boars, but this giant dog breed is actually a sweet and docile companion who cares for those around them.
14. Dobermann
Named after Louis Dobermann who was widely known in the 1800s for being a German tax collector, the Dobermann is best known for serving as the fiercest canine sidekick you could ever find. This breed consists of people-oriented dogs who also serve as guard, police, and military dogs.
15. Japanese Spitz or Nihon Supittsu
The Japanese Spitz is a relatively new breed that has been in Japan ever since it’s ancestral bridges from over Germany. It had been relatively identified as the cousin of Pomeranians.
During the 1930s, the Japanese started crossbreeding several dog breeds starting from the German Spitz. The Japanese Spitz is generally on the cuter size and would serve the purpose of the perfect house dogs.
Conclusion
Both small and large German dog breeds do go far from history as we can remember. They even made their way to the USA and even Japan where some of the most widely known dog breeds originated. From Dobermanns to Poodles and German Shepherds, German dog breeds are some of the best companions and friends a human can have.