SINCE 1828
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spitz

noun
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\ ˈspits How to pronounce spitz (audio) \

Definition of spitz

: a member of any of several breeds of stocky heavy-coated dogs of northern origin with erect ears and usually a heavily furred tail carried over the back

Illustration of spitz

Illustration of spitz

Examples of spitz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this month, a woman handed over a fox to a Chinese zoo after raising it as a Japanese spitz for nearly a year. — Elaina Zachos, National Geographic, "Can People Really Mistake a Bear for a Dog, as This Family Claims?," 16 May 2018 Sad as this tale is, the stray husky-spitz mix became a part of history as the first living creature to orbit the Earth. — Alice George, Smithsonian, "The Sad, Sad Story of Laika, the Space Dog, and Her One-Way Trip into Orbit," 12 Apr. 2018 Spitz will return to his cornerback position while senior Luke Baldwin is back at safety putting five experienced athletes behind the line. — Steve Sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Pioneer Press football preview: Highland Park Giants," 24 Aug. 2017 Spitz broke NCAA champion Cindy Tran’s meet record in the backstroke with a lifetime-best 54.16 and won the 100 free in a meet-record and county-leading 49.64. — Dan Albano, Orange County Register, "Roundup: Fountain Valley girls, Newport Harbor boys back on top in Sunset League (updated)," 5 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spitz.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of spitz

1842, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for spitz

German, from spitz pointed, from Old High German spizzi; from the shape of its ears and muzzle — more at spit

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Cite this Entry

“Spitz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spitz. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spitz

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spitz

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