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Origin and history of Spitz

Spitz(n.)

breed of small Pomeranian dog, by 1845, from German Spitz, short for Spitzhund, from spitz "pointed" (see spit (n.2)). So called from the tapering shape of its muzzle. Spitz-dog is attested by 1842; Spitz as the name of a dog in English is by 1830.

also from 1845

Entries linking to Spitz

spit(n.2)

[sharp-pointed rod or bar for roasting meat], late Old English spitu "a spit" in cooking, from Proto-Germanic *spituz, (source also of Middle Dutch and Dutch spit, Swedish spett (which perhaps is from Low German), Old High German spiz, German Spieß "roasting spit," German spitz "pointed" (from PIE *spei- "sharp point;" see spike (n.1)).

This is also the word meaning "sandy point or long, narrow shoal running from a shore into a sea" (1670s). Old French espois, Spanish espeto "spit," Italian spiedo, spiede "a spear" are Germanic loan-words.

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    Trends of Spitz

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

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