German Spitz health: what owners should know

Overall this is a healthy, long-lived breed. Conditions seen include patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap), progressive retinal atrophy and other inherited eye problems, dental disease, epilepsy, and alopecia X, which causes coat loss on the body while sparing the head and legs.

Good breeders have the parents' knees checked and eyes examined, and DNA test where tests are available. Keep teeth clean and weight healthy. Book a vet check if you notice skipping or holding up a back leg, hair loss that does not regrow, bumping into things, or bad breath with red gums.