Is the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel) better for families with children?

Both the Finnish Spitz and the German Spitz (Mittel) are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel)?

The Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) shed a similar amount (high).

Which is easier to train, the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel)?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel) bigger?

Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel)?

Finnish Spitz tends to be the more vocal of the two, so German Spitz (Mittel) is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel)?

For apartment or apartment living, German Spitz (Mittel) has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Finnish Spitz vs German Spitz (Mittel): Easier to Groom?

Finnish Spitz vs German Spitz (Mittel): full comparison

Trait	Finnish Spitz	German Spitz (Mittel)
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Medium	High
Shedding	High	High
Barking	Very High	High
Protectiveness	Medium	High
Adaptability	Medium	High
Typical lifespan	13 years	14 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the German Spitz (Mittel) is a medium-sized dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Finnish Spitz needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The German Spitz (Mittel) needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Finnish Spitz needs regular brushing to stay in good condition and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. The German Spitz (Mittel) needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Finnish Spitz picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, is very vocal and barks readily — something to weigh if you have close neighbors and gets on with children when raised around them. The German Spitz (Mittel) picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and gets on with children when raised around them. On guarding instinct, Finnish Spitz will alert you to visitors but is not an aggressive guardian, whereas German Spitz (Mittel) is naturally watchful and protective of its family and home.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, German Spitz (Mittel) has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Finnish Spitz has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Finnish Spitz if you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

Choose the German Spitz (Mittel) if you want a more protective, watchful guardian, you want a more adaptable dog, or you prefer a quieter dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel) better for families with children?: Both the Finnish Spitz and the German Spitz (Mittel) are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel)?: The Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) shed a similar amount (high).
Which is easier to train, the Finnish Spitz or the German Spitz (Mittel)?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel) bigger?: Finnish Spitz and German Spitz (Mittel) are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel)?: Finnish Spitz tends to be the more vocal of the two, so German Spitz (Mittel) is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Finnish Spitz or German Spitz (Mittel)?: For apartment or apartment living, German Spitz (Mittel) has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Finnish Spitz vs German Spitz (Mittel)