Small
16 Years
7 Kg
Utility Dogs
Affectionate, Intelligent, Lively, Playful, Responsive
The Japanese Spitz is a modern breed that became popular in Europe after being exported to Sweden and to other European countries. It was developed in Japan during the 1920s and classified as a Utility dog by the UK Kennel Club. It was officially recognised as a distinct breed only in 1977. It is a small- to medium-sized dog of the Spitz type, bred as a companion dog and as a pet. Around the world, standards vary with regards to their ideal size but the Japanese Spitz is typically larger than its smaller cousin, the Pomeranian. It is similar in appearance to the white Pomeranian, the American Eskimo Dog and the Samoyed. It has a somewhat square body, a deep chest, a pointed muzzle, triangular shaped ears that stand erect, a well-plumed tail that is carried over the back and an abundant pure white double coat consisting of a dense soft inner coat and a straight stand-off outer coat. It also sports a mane on the neck and shoulders that reache down to the brisket. The ideal height of the Japanese Spitz is usually around 34 - 37cm at the withers for males and 30 – 34cm for females.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Japanese Spitz is a relatively modern breed, developed in Japan between the 1920s and 1930s by crossing different Spitz breed. Japanese breeders crossbred different Spitz-type dogs starting with white German Spitz dogs that came from northeastern China. The resulting breed was first seen publicly at a dog show in Tokyo in 1921. For 11 years, different types of small white Spitz dogs from around the world were crossbred into the developing breed with the final breed standard written shortly after the end of the Second World War. The 50’s saw the popularity of the Japanese Spitz rise when people started rebuilding after the war. The breed was then exported to Sweden from where it landed to England. It was recognised by the UK Kennel Club as a distinct breed in 1977, classifying it under the Utility Group.
Alert, intelligent, bold and lively – these four describes the Japanese Spitz best. It is also highly affectionate, friendly and slightly reserved with strangers upon first contact, but will typically befriend them it it sense they are not a threat. The Japanese Spitz is also known as being a courageous dog and devoted to its owner. Being alert and brave, it makes a good watchdog, often barking at any signs of unfamiliar scent or faces. The Japanese Spitz was bred solely as a companion dog and thrives on human companionship, preferring to bond with each member of the family whenever there is a chance. It loves playing outdoors and is a very good companion for the elderly and children.
The Japanese Spitz is an intelligent breed and eager to please which makes training moderately easy. The key to training is starting at an early age particularly during puppyhood. Consistency should also be an ingredient when training a Japanese Spitz. These factors affect how quickly the dog will remember what is required of him. Teach the dog basic commands and then gradually increasing to more advance training such as obedience training. The Japanese Spitz can also excel in agility training and can also be trained in various dog sports including Flyball.
Despite the profuse long white coat, the Japanese Spitz is in fact a low-maintenance dog. The weatherproof coat allows dirt and mud to fall off easily because the white fur is dry and non-sticky. Brushing and combing is fairly easy but it has to be done on a regular basis to keep it in pristine condition. Combing the coat two times a week with a pin brush that reaches the undercoat will prevent the formation of matts and tangles.
Life expectancy for the Japanese Spitz is between 10 to 16 years, which makes it one of the longest-lived dogs. It is a healthy breed with very few health problems related to genetics. The main concern of Japanese Spitz owners is that the breed tend to develop patellar luxation or trick knee, a condition in which the patella or kneecap, dislocates or move out of its normal position. It is also prone to runny eyes because the breed has very small tear ducts. Runny eyes is also sometimes caused by allergy to long grass or even stress, but this condition rarely has any serious effect on the eyes.
The Japanese Spitz is a flexible dog that can live in a city or country setting. It is a suitable pet for an apartment dweller or to an owner who lives in a small suburban house. An ideal place would be a small house with a small garden where the dog can play freely until it desires. Exercise should be at most an hour a day. A walk around the block or at a dog park is ideal. The Japanese Spitz can tolerate cold weather, thanks to its profuse coat. However, it was bred originally as a companion dog and will prefer to play inside the house together with its human companions.
An eager-to-please and lively attitude makes the Japanese Spitz great with children. It is quite tolerant of kids and will often enjoy the lively games that children are fond of. It is an intelligent breed that loves to please its human family. It has a tendency to become dominant with other dogs but early socialisation and training is the key to having a Japanese Spitz that can get along well with other household pets.
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