German Spitz — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Patellar luxation
The kneecap slips out of its groove, causing an intermittent skipping gait that can progress to lameness and arthritis in severe, unmanaged cases. Documented specifically in the POMERANIAN (the smallest German Spitz variety): a large UK primary-care study found Pomeranians had the highest patellar luxation prevalence of any breed studied.
Ask to see: No DNA test exists, as this is a developmental trait rather than a single-gene one. Ask for the sire's and dam's own veterinary patella examination findings, or an OFA patellar luxation evaluation
Canine Genetics and Epidemiology / The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England (https://doi.org/10.1186/s40575-016-0034-0)
Tracheal collapsecan shorten life or cause chronic pain
The cartilage rings holding the windpipe open weaken and flatten, causing a dry honking cough that worsens with excitement or heat and can progress to real breathing difficulty. Documented specifically in the POMERANIAN, alongside other toy breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pekingese.
Ask to see: No DNA test exists. Ask for the individual dog's and its parents' veterinary history of chronic cough or a prior collapse diagnosis
University of Cambridge Canine Genetics Centre / Tracheal Collapse (https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/tracheal-collapse/)
Primary hyperparathyroidismcan shorten life or cause chronic pain
A benign parathyroid tumour drives excess hormone production, raising blood calcium and causing excess thirst, urination and weakness; untreated, it can damage the kidneys or cause bladder stones. Documented specifically in the KEESHOND/WOLFSPITZ (the largest German Spitz variety, often registered as a separate breed).
Ask to see: A commercial DNA test exists but its underlying research has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal and comes from a single laboratory, so a 'clear' result should not be treated as definitive; ask whether the breeder tests, and also request blood calcium results on the sire and dam
University of Cambridge Canine Genetics Centre / Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonds (https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/phpt/) · Keeshond Club of America (https://www.keeshond.org/)