For the second time already we could advise archaeologist Anja Hoppe on her
talk about Spitzen in the antiquity. Thanks to our Spitz family we had a most
entertaining time!
|
|
Report on the
events organised by the „Freundeskreis” Römermuseum” - Stettfeld (= friends of
the Roman museum)
Attention Spitz! The Spitz dog from the Ancient World till today
|
Anja Hoppe of
Tübingen University, supported by breeder Anita Kirsch, gave a talk at the
opening of the special exhibition „Der Hund ist des Thrones wert. Hunde in der
Antike“ (=Dogs are worth the throne. Dogs in the antiquity) on April 17th 2007.
The talk’s content was the 5000 year history of the Spitz.
The attention of the audience was continuously transferred from screen to floor
as the topic had become truly alive there. Nella, Kalle, Faria, Bela and Loki
are Spitzen (Klein and Mittel). Their owner Ms Anita Kirsch from the
„Schwäbische Alb“ was present to visualise the content of the talk and
therefore make it more comprehendible for the listeners. All five of them took
the guests’ hearts and minds by storm.
|
 |
Ms Hoppe became interested in
the Spitz breed while working on a project for a museum, a historical
re-enactment, in which she was in need of “doubles” for the 2 white Spitzen,
named „Ali“ and „Rubi”, of the Wuerttemberg King Wilhem II. Because of the
difficulties in finding two fitting dogs of that breed, she started researching
the topic more intensively.
|
|
In her presentation she
explained that Spitze are wellknown as watchdogs
in piles on the lake with the people must have
lived together. In archeology, they are
preserved in the bog known as Torfspitze.
Together with its listeners Anja Hoppe pursued
the traces of this breed through many countries
and centuries, and showed the basis of
sculptures and paintings from the popularity of
the peaks. Significantly is his use as a
watchdog for the house and yard, or as guardians
for children. Very clearly, says the speaker,
that the shape of these dogs has not changed.
|
 |
|
 |
“According to the pure breed
categories of the Kennel Clubs, the Spitz is one of the ancient types of dogs,”
confirmed breeder Anita Kirsch, “and therefore one of the oldest dog breeds
worldwide.” It is thus saddening that this once popular dog, among whose owners
are Queen Victoria, King Wilhelm II or famous Swabian author Wilhelm Busch’s
illustrious character “Widow Bolte” as well as comedy duo „Häberle und
Pfleiderer“, that this breed faces extinction nowadays. Although the
characteristics as a watchful, intelligent, calm companion, especially of
children, combined with his irresistibly charming personality are still his
most remarkable qualities.
|
|
The most agile and
genuine proof frolicked through the “Roemerkeller” on April 17th and was petted
by 30 happy and thrilled guests.
|
|
|
|
 |
The first images of dogs similar to Spitz are found in the tombs of Pharaohs,
ancient Greek ceramic, Roman coins, and Pompeiian mosaics. It’s no wonder the
Pomeranians belong to FCI classification 5: Spitz and primitive type. Also
through the centuries the Spitz had been used as a keen(scrupulous) guard of
farms, wagons, and boats.
|
Indeed there have always been famous people addicted to charm of Spitzs:
Michelangelo, Martin Luther, the English Queen Victoria, Mozart, King Wilhem II
from Württemberg, Ludwig Richter and Adalbert Stifter. Numorous Spitzs are
found along the way in the Brother Grimm fairy tales (1812-1815) as well as the
humorous picture stories from Wilhelm Busch (1856-1872).
In 1700, Pomerania was known for its excellent breed of white Spitzs “while one
in Württemberg mainly found black and of course parti-colourd.” (Schmidt:
“Deutsche Spitze”, Stuttgart, 1980)
|
 |
|
König Wilhelm II von Württemberg mit seinen beiden weissen Spitzen
"Ali" und "Rubi". |
|
These days it is much quieter for the German Spitz. Although never a fashion
dog, in the twenty first century, the Pomeranian is almost endangered!
Incomprihensible! For it is still a happy, simple family dog with charm and
spirit, pep and flexibility, and very focussed on people. It has really no
appetite for hunting and gets along with every animal. Provided that the dog is
raised with children, it makes a ravishing babysitter and through all of this
still has a great sense of humour!
The German Spitz is highly intelligent and easy to raise. It is best adapted
for dog sports such as agility and mobility, and gladly learns little stunts.
The gorgeous coat must be regularly brushed but is self cleaning.
|
|
|
|
|
Recently seen downtown Stuttgart: the two Stuttgart’s originals Häberle and
Pfleiderer...
with a German Kleinspitz?!
|
| |
|
|
|
Presentation: Spitz dogs from antiquity up to today
|
|
|
In September 2008 together with "our" archaeologist Dr. Anja Hoppe
we followed the invitation of the Switzerland Spitzclub to Aarau in the
Eastern Switzerland to give a lecture on the history of the Spitz breed from
the antiquity up to today. The numerous audiences were very interested.
Madeleine Herman had organized the event for the Spitzclub of Switzerland
answering the desire of several Spitzclub members who had heard about our
presentation that we presented a couple of times in different museums.
|
|
|
 |
Although this time it wouldn't have been necessary because of the
professional audience KALLE and his offspring NELLA, ELLI and HONIGBÄR
and FROSCHI and ELISEY accompanied the presentation in familiar bold way.
|
 |
 |
|
KALLE met two of his Switzerland born grandsons. |
During the break all present Spitzen had the chance to get
to know each other and to frolic on the nearby premises. |
|
all pictures of this presentation by: Elisabeth Friedli |
|
