Looking for a little white shadow? The Japanese Spitz might be for you!
This family-friendly dog loves to spend all day and night with its family members. It is very loyal and is quick to make friends with people he meets. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for this cute and lovable breed.
Breed Snapshot
• Size: Small to Medium – They can get between 30cm and 37cm tall and can weigh between 5 and 10kgs
• Coat: Heavy shedding twice a year. They have two coats, and both are thick. Requires excessive brushing during their shedding times
• Energy: Somewhat calm. These dogs are happy to be walked once a day.
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Breed Type: Descendant of the white German Spitz. Theses dogs are lovable and thrive around companionship. They are loyal to their owners and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
• Great Breed For: Apartments, Farmhouses, Family-friendly
What is a Japanese Spitz?
The Japanese Spitz is a happy and energetic breed that is eager to please and loves to be around people and other animals. Because many records about this breed were destroyed during WWII, there are several things that are unknown about its history. However, the Japanese Spitz is believed to be a descendant of the white German Spitz and then brought over to Japan in the early 1900s.
Even though the Japanese Spitz have a long, fluffy coat, this breed of dog does not like to be in the cold for long periods of time, and during the winter, will prefer to be indoors.
What Do Japanese Spitz Look Like?
Japanese Spitz are medium-sized dogs that have a completely white coat of fur that is long and full. Their fur stands out like a mane around their face and neck. And sometimes, people mistaken this dog for being overweight, when in reality, they have an average body mass, it is just their full coat of fur that makes them look bigger.
The Japanese Spitz has a pointed nose and short, pointed ears that stick straight up. When they reach adulthood, they usually weigh between 4kg and 9kg, and they can be between 10 to 16 inches tall. Due to the shape of their face and their fluffy coat, many people think that this breed looks like a larger version of a Pomeranian.
What Makes the Japanese Spitz Special?
One of the things that people love most about a Japanese Spitz is their excellent temperament. This dogs love to please their owners and are extremely family orientated. They enjoy spending time with people and usually get along well with other dogs as well.
How Often do I Need to Groom my Japanese Spitz?
For the most part, Japanese Spitz do not require much grooming. Their skin produces a natural oil that helps to keep them clean and usually only require to be bathed once per season. If they are bathed too much, it could cause them to lose some of their oil, which could dry-out and damage their skin.
Like other Spitz breeds, the Japanese Spits has a double coat. The topcoat is long and straight, and the bottom coat is short and full. Twice a year, the Japanese Spitz shed its bottom coat, during which time they will need to be brushed at least once a day to help them get rid of all the fur. The shedding process usually takes about two weeks to complete and many owners struggle with an abundance of fur on furniture and clothing during this time.
How Often Should I Walk My Japanese Spitz?
The Japanese Spitz do not require an excessive amount of exercise. As long as they are able to go outside for at least 10 to 20 minutes a day, they are happy.
This breed is very well-natured and is able to adapt to the amount of exercise that their owners are willing to give them. While they do like to run and stretch their legs, they also enjoy sitting beside their family members while they watch TV or read. Whether it is playing inside or outside, as long as the Japanese Spitz is near their family, they are happy.
How Do I Train My Japanese Spitz?
Japanese Spitz are eager to please their family members and are usually very easy to train. They are very protective of their family members, so early socialization is key to ensuring that they do not feel threatened by strangers in the future.
They respond well to positive reinforcement and have been known to be emotional if they think that their family is angry with them. So, the best way to train this breed is to give them a lot of praise and encouragement during their training sessions.
Quickfire Questions
How long will my Japanese Spitz live?
The average lifespan of a Japanese Spitz is between 10 and 16 years.
Can I leave my Japanese Spitz alone at home?
The Japanese Spitz is a companion dog that does not like to be left alone. With some training, it can learn to stay by itself for a couple of hours at a time, but if left alone for a prolonged period of time, this breed has been known to develop problematic behaviors. It is suggested that owners put their Japanese Spitz in a doggie daycare or have a friend check in on them throughout the day if they are going to be left home alone for more than 6 to 8 hours.
What kind of health risk do Japanese Spitz have?
Japanese Spitz are relatively healthy dogs that have a long life expectancy. However, this breed has also been known to have a condition called Patella Luxation, which causes their knees to dislocate. They have also bee known to have runny or watery eyes which should be looked at by a vet to ensure that there is no infection.
Are Japanese Spitz loud dogs?
For the most part, Japanese Spitz are calm dogs that do not bark often. However, when they encounter a stranger, they have been known to let out a very loud bark that can be heard from long distances. This is why it is important to socialize your Japanese Spitz at a young age.
Where can I Find a Japanese Spitz?
If you feel that you have the amount of time it takes to dedicate to a Japanese Spitz, then there are many breeders around the world that have the perfect dog for you. However, it is important to note that some countries, for example, the U.S., do not consider the Japanese Spitz to be a separate breed from the American Eskimo. So, if you are looking for this dog outside of the country, make sure that you are getting the Japanese Spitz and not some other breed that looks similar.
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