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spitz

any of a group of dog breeds with pointed ears, muzzle, and a thick coat

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Where does the word "spitz" come from? It comes from German spitz, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

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Where does the word "spitz" come from? It comes from German spitz, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Spitz’s story begins in German: spitz meant “pointed.” Meaning "pointed", describing the dog's sharp muzzle and ears. It reached English by 1800s as spitz. German 'pointed', for the sharp muzzle; Pomeranians are spitz dogs. Today, spitz means any of a group of dog breeds with pointed ears, muzzle, and a thick coat.

  1. Stage 1 · German · medieval spitz "pointed", meaning "pointed", describing the dog's sharp muzzle and ears.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s spitz "a fluffy dog breed with a pointed muzzle", German 'pointed', for the sharp muzzle; Pomeranians are spitz dogs.

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