Do some dogs hate spitz breeds because of physical appearance?

It's both. Akitas set off other dogs...that is a fact. I have no experience with other issues. They do send out natural dominant vibes because of the forward set ears...up on toes stance...serious slowish way of moving...habit of intense staring...upright, over the back tail carriage, etc.

I can only speak for one breed on this...no experience with others. Rottweilers tend to have confidence, but obviously the tail and ear issue is different,...so maybe a Rott owner can chime in.

I have wondered the same myself. Shadow often carries his tail up, usually curled over his back and slightly to the right. He has small, pointed ears that can stand up. I sometimes wondered if other dogs read that as presumptuous of him. Then they key off that, then he could key off their anxiety. Not all dogs that meet him think that. Just some.

corvus

Anyway, people started cheerfully saying that many dogs pick fights with spitz breeds because of the ears, high tail carriage, and thick fur making them look dominant even when they were just minding their own business.

I think it is really hard for some dogs and people to read the breeds with the type of look described.

However, my experiences with other dogs and Willow is that of all the dogs we've encountered most of them try really hard to be friends even when she is clearly being aggressive.  And, even the few that got aggressive, it wasn't picking a fight it was more like fighting back or giving the attitude back to her. 

People on the other hand, exact opposite.  She could be acting sweet as can be and people are nervous and afraid of her. 

It makes it even worse that she's dark too.

Lori

Dunno about spitz types but Kenya (GSD) often is rubbed the wrong way by Border Collies.  The ones we know tend to stare at her and do that stalking approach with their ears alert and head low and forward.

I like GSDs b/c they (to me) are easy to read.  Full tails that naturally are carried horizontal or lower, but can go up or even curl over, so there's signals with the tail.  The ears are erect, but so large that usually they are not carried up and forward.  They can twist sideways (for my dogs that is relaxed) or back flat (submissive), our flat out to the side (aggression or defense drive).  They really aren't usually up and straight forward unless the dog is alert to something.  For head shots and good stacked picks we have to call the dog or toss a toy to get the ears in that position.

 There's a BC cross that frequents the dog park we go to and every time he sees a dog, he goes low and stalks them. Sometimes he hides behind something and then he'll spring out and charge at the hapless dog and then do playful zoomies. It's really bizarre, and the first couple of times Kivi found it all a bit scary, but then he caught on and now every time he sees the dog he waits patiently for the stalk and the charge and then they go off and do zoomies together.

corvus

There's a BC cross that frequents the dog park we go to and every time he sees a dog, he goes low and stalks them

It sounds like he's herding. Some herd by position, some herd by eye.

 I think certain breeds can have a higher tendancy to set off dogs do to their appearance.  I can't speak for Akita's but I've noticed that schnauzers, especially those with cropped ears can set other dogs on edge.  They have a very forward confident build to their bodies.  Mix in the cropped alert ears, docked tail, beard masking their muzzle and long eyelashses both hiding and intensifing their stare, and I think it can make them harder for dogs to properly messure their true intent.  Of course, part of it might be the confidence and terrier personality to match.

I also do think it is possible for dogs based on experience and other factors to develope a distrust, or breed specific aggression. 

Krissim Klaw

I also do think it is possible for dogs based on experience and other factors to develope a distrust, or breed specific aggression. 

I agree with this statement.  I have also seen it go the other way and I'm sure you all have had similar experiences.  Dogs that have grown up around a certain breed or have made friends with a certain breed or look tend to approach those dogs even when they are strangers with an expectation of friendliness. My JRT who has been around a lot of black Labs will approach any large black dog assuming they are friends. He approaches dogs that have a body type that he is not familiar with, much more cautiously (cautious is a relative term with him lol).

rwbeagles

It's both. Akitas set off other dogs...that is a fact. I have no experience with other issues. They do send out natural dominant vibes because of the forward set ears...up on toes stance...serious slowish way of moving...habit of intense staring...upright, over the back tail carriage, etc.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Akitas and pits have many of the same traits -- broad, strong posture, head up, eye contact, straight on approach. ect. So two dogs, with naturally dominant postures/temperaments -- a fight isn't too hard to get to. In fact, it's probably related to how both breeds were selectively breed to be fighting dogs in the first place. (***Shudders at the thought***)

Rosco hates Nordic breeds. He would flat out start a fight if he ever got the opportunity. I assume it must be something about the body language, but since I can't ask him, I just generalize and know to get him focused on me and working if there's a Nordic breed around.

I don't know a thing about Akitas or other spitz-type breeds (not many in our area), but I have noticed a difference in the way my Aussie relates to certain breeds. He typically LOVES every dog he sees, but absolutely can't stand Boxers. Even in puppy school (around 5-6 months of age), he would cheerfully greet most of the other puppies, but would go ballistic when a Boxer walked in. Similarly he gets very agitated when he sees the one across the street in the neighbor's yard. He has never had any bad experiences with them & displayed this behavior at a fairly young age, so I always assumed it was something about the sharply cropped ears? Strangely enough, naturally upright ears (BC, GSD, etc) don't bother him at all, though.

My Chow/Golden carries her tail up over the body, but she's always looking for play and other dogs very much like her.

The Malinois also dislikes Boxers.

 See, your spitzy-looking dog is friendly and my spitz dog is friendly and it seems to me that dogs generally get that. But there's no way Kivi looks confident when he approaches another dog, even if his tail is up and his fur makes him look big and intimidating, and even if his ears are forward for once rather than pinned. He just doesn't look like a dog to worry about. He looks like a cuddly teddy bear that loves everyone.

 I also do think it is possible for dogs based on experience and other factors to develope a distrust, or breed specific aggression.

 Absolutely. Ginny would tear every Golden Retriever she saw to pieces if she could, and she is frightened of German Shepherds and Border Collies (but not Rough Collies or Aussies....very strange)

But on the other hand of the spectrum she adores pitties as an almost 100% infallible rule, even the pushy/goofy/overly playful ones.

Now since my Jacks were attack by a golden retrievers, they will not hesitate to go after one. Especially Scout. I don't trust a GSD they are too unpredictable IMHO although I helped a stressful owner get his GSD that ran away on the highway. I still don't trust based on my experiences with them in classes.