Japanese Spitz Breeds | Japanese Spitz Dog Breed Introduction
Japanese Spitz is a small to medium-sized Spitz type of dog breed from Japan. It has similar appearance to the Samoyed, American Eskimo Dog, and white Pomeranian. In the recent past, these dogs have become popular as companion pets. This is because they are smart, always have a smile on their face, love to please their families, and are true comedians.
The distinctive feature of this breed include a double white coat, a black nose, pointed triangular ears, a lion-like mane about the neck, and a pointed foxlike muzzle. Japanese Spitz also thrive on human contact. They are affectionate, playful, loyal, and intelligent dogs that make great companions for novice owners, small children, and senior citizens.
Although they are small-sized dogs, Japanese Spitz make great watchdogs due to their tendency to bark to approaching strangers. These are also versatile dogs that may live in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. However, they need some time to run freely off-leash in a secured area.
Japanese Spitz Origin | History
In the early 20th century (1920s and 1930s), Japan breeders created the Japanese Spitz by crossing a number of other Spitz breed. The dog breeders started with the white German Spitz that were brought from Northeastern China to Japan. These dogs were first shown in Tokyo at a dog show in 1921. From 1925 to 1936, various small white Spitz breeds were imported from around the globe and crossed with the aim of creating an improved breed.
After World War II, the final standard was written and accepted by the JKC (Japan Kennel Club). This breed became popular in its native country in the 1950s and around the same time it was exported to Sweden. From there, the Japanese Spitz spread to England, India, Australia, and United States. The breed was also recognized by different Kennel Clubs except the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, the Japanese Spitz has been part of AKC’s FSS group (Foundation Stock Service) since April 2019.
Japanese Spitz Lifespan
The Japanese Spitz has a lifespan of 10 to 16 years.
Japanese Spitz Grooming | Grooming Tips
The Japanese Spitz have a profuse double coat that is a low maintenance. This is because the coat is teflon-like hence dirt and mud cannot stick to the fur. If the dog rolls in mud, wait for the coat to dry up and then brush it out. Due to the profuse double coat, this breed sheds heavily twice a year while blowing off the coat.
During the shedding season, daily brushing is key to remove the loose hair that would otherwise spread on the floor, clothes, and furniture. Throughout the year, the Japanese Spitz only need a weekly brushing to keep the coat looking healthy and glossy. This breed also need an occasional bath once per season unless it rolls in something stinky. Frequent baths dries off the natural oils present on the coat and cause skin irritation.
Trim the nails of Japanese Spitz fortnightly using nail clippers and grinders to prevent splitting, cracking, overgrowth, and discomfort when running or walking. Brush the teeth of this breed twice a week if not daily using a flavored canine toothpaste and toothbrush to get rid of the tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using cotton balls dampened in an ear cleanser solution.
Japanese Spitz Grooming Style
The Japanese Spitz has a profuse double coat that insulates the dog against extreme heat and cold. Therefore, it should not be clipped. For this reason, this breed requires no haircuts apart from trimming the fur between the paws for traction.
Japanese Spitz Shedding | Shedding Level | Shedding Period
The Japanese Spitz sheds excessively twice a year in Spring and Fall due to seasonal change. This breed takes about 2 to 3 weeks before the entire undercoat is shed off.
Japanese Spitz Coat
The Japanese Spitz have profuse a double-layered coat consisting of a straight and standoff outer coat and a short, dense, and soft undercoat.
Japanese Spitz Hypoallergenic
The Japanese Spitz are not hypoallergenic. They blow off their coats twice a year for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Shedding allows the spread of dander and fur in the environment hence triggering allergies in people who suffer from dog allergies. Apart from dog’s dander and fur, mucus, urine, and saliva also contain a protein allergen that causes allergic reaction.
Japanese Spitz Training | How To Train A Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz are loyal and intelligent dogs that are eager to please which makes them highly trainable. They thrive on human contact. Therefore, if left alone for long periods of time, they may develop behavior problems such as barking excessively, scratching the walls, chewing, and even relapse in house breaking. Early training is key before the dog gets inclined towards bad behaviors.
Use positive reinforcement methods such as treats, playtime, verbal praise, petting, and toys to encourage good behaviors. Avoid scolding the pet as it makes training counterproductive. Other harsh training methods include kicking, punching, shoving, and use of choke or prong collars. Keep the training sessions for a period of 5 to 10 minutes to prevent boredom and distraction. Start teaching basic command words like come, sit, stay, lie down, wait, leave it, heel, etc., one at a time until the dog is well-acquainted before proceeding to the next command word.
In order to raise a well-mannered and well-adjusted Japanese Spitz, socialization training is key. This training exposes pets to a wide variety of people, places, experiences, surfaces, situations, sight, smell, and sounds such as lawn mowers, door bells, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, sirens, and whistles. Effectively housebreak Japanese Spitz by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training.
Japanese Spitz Temperament | Personality | Traits | Characteristics
- Energetic.
- Intelligent.
- Willing to please.
- Loyal.
- Affectionate.
- Devoted.
- Amiable.
- Vocal.
- Courageous.
- Playful.
- Obedient.
- Alert.
- Versatile.
Japanese Spitz Exercise Needs
These are energetic dogs that are happy when they have lots of room to run like on the ranches and farms, although, they also make great apartment dogs if they are regularly exercised. A nice daily walk and running freely off-leash in a secured yard will meet the physical and mental needs of this breed. After their daily exercise needs have been met, this breed will climb up on the sofa with owner while they watch or read.
Japanese Spitz Barking | Barking Problem
These are vocal dogs with a high tendency of barking hence making great watchdogs. They will bark to notify of approaching strangers.
Japanese Spitz Height
The Japanese `Spitz have a height of 12 to 15 inches (approx. 30 to 38 cm).
Japanese Spitz Weight | Weight Kg
Mature Japanese Spitz have a weight of 10 to 25 pounds (approx. 4.5 to 11 kg).
Japanese Spitz Size
The Japanese Spitz are small to medium-sized animals that have a height of 12 to 15 inches (approx. 30 to 38 cm) and a weight of 10 to 25 pounds (approx. 4.5 to 11 kg).
Japanese Spitz Aggressive
Although Japanese Spitz bark to alert the owners of approaching strangers, they are not aggressive dogs. They are friendly, playful, obedient, loyal, and affectionate dogs if well bred and socialized.
Japanese Spitz Biting
Biting and nipping is more rapid when Japanese Spitz puppies are exploring their environment, playing, or when teething due to discomfort. Biting may seem adorable when the dog is young but not for long after the dog matures to have serious biting issues. Owners are urged to curb this behavior through bite inhibition training and redirection.
Japanese Spitz Hair Loss
This breed sheds its hair heavily during spring and fall in a process known as shedding. However, hair loss in patches or thinning of the coat may be due to alopecia, allergies, stress, or hormonal changes.
Japanese Spitz Eye Problems
The Japanese Spitz are prone to tear stains caused by having small tear ducts, stress, or an allergy to long grass. However, the eye stains are rarely caused by a serious eye problem.
Japanese Spitz Health Issues
This is a robust and healthy breed that has a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years. However, Japanese Spitz suffer from certain health issue such as tear stains and knee dislocation (patellar luxation).
Japanese Spitz Names
A Japanese Spitz parent may get a name for the pet after the dog settles with them to understand better the personality of a particular dog or even before the dog joins them home from the breeder. Parents may get name inspirations from the Japanese heritage of the breed, coat color, celebrity dogs of this breed, movies, food, books, nature, or historical figures.
Despite of the name that the parent settles with, they should ensure it freely rolls off their tongue without being a source of embarrassment when uttered out loud in the public places. As with all dogs, this breed also better understand names that have vowels.
Avoid giving your pet a name that rhymes with the command word to prevent confusion. If a Japanese Spitz shares a name with any family member or guest who frequent your home, it may cause confusion.
Japanese Spitz Names Female
- Sandy.
- Daisy.
- Sasha.
- Abby.
- Cinders.
- Sophie.
- Duchess.
- Jesse.
- Casey.
- Rosie.
- Coco.
- Bella, etc.
Japanese Spitz Heat Cycle
The heat cycle of a Japanese Spitz lasts for a period of 3 weeks. This process recurs every 6 months. Furthermore, this breed may experience a heat cycle for the first time from the age of 6 months. Although, some early bloomers may go on a heat season at the age of 4 months while late bloomers at the age of 9 to 12 months.
Some of the signs that this breed may exhibit while on a heat cycle include increased urination, bloody discharge, changes in eating behavior, tail flagging, mood swings, and a swollen vulva. Before breeding a potential dam and sire, screen the dogs to ensure they have no underlying health issues. Female Spitz should not be bred before the age of 2 years to reduce the risk of dystocia and the dam rejecting the puppies.
Male Japanese Spitz Names
- Dylan.
- Duke.
- Tucker.
- Brandy.
- Murphy.
- Jake.
- Jagger.
- Max.
- Otis, etc.
Japanese Spitz Litter Size
After conception, dams have a gestation period of 60 to 65 days before whelping a litter size of 1 to 8 puppies.
Japanese Spitz Types
There is only one type of pure-bred Japan Spitz. Although, this breed looks similar to Samoyed, American Eskimo Dog, and White Pomeranian.
Other renowned breeds include:
Japanese Spitz Food | Food Guide | Dog Food
The amount of food that these Spitz feeds on depend on its age, size, metabolism, activity level, and body build. This breed responds well to raw, home-made and commercial dry or wet food. Puppies have a high metabolism level as compared to adults and seniors.
Therefore, puppies should eat small amount of food three or four times in a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. from the age of 6 months, dogs feed twice a day. As a norm, fresh water should be available for your pet at all times.
Japanese Spitz Black | Brown | Colors
This Spitz has a pure white profuse coat. They don’t have a Black or brown coat.
Japanese Spitz Allergies
Although rare, Spitz may suffer from various form of allergies such as:
Skin allergies – This allergy manifest on the skin due to food, contact, and environmental allergies.
Food allergies – Rarely, Spitz suffer from food allergies. This allergy causes an immune response that is accompanied with a wide range of symptoms from skin issues to gastrointestinal stress.
Contact allergies – This allergy is a result of inflammation caused to the skin once it comes in contact with an allergen like plastics, lawn chemicals, grooming products, carpet cleaning detergents, bed linens, latex, medication, and certain fabrics.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergens that affect Spitz include mites, trees, grass, pollen, ragweed, mites, house molds, and dust mites.
Japanese Spitz Eyes
It has almond-shaped dark colored eyes.
Japanese Spitz Ears | Ears Down
This Spitz has foxlike triangular ears. However, puppies are born with folded ears that stand up as they mature from the age of 6 weeks.
Japanese Spitz Teeth
Mature Spitz have a total of 42 permanent teeth. However, puppies have 28-decidous teeth that starts falling out from the age of 12 weeks.
Japanese Spitz Tail
This breed has a moderately long tail that curls over the back.
Price Of Japanese Spitz
The average price of a Japanese Spitz is $800 to $2500. However, depending on the breeder some may cost around $4000.
Are Japanese Spitz Hypoallergenic
No. This Spitz breed sheds heavily twice a year. Shedding spreads fur and dander into the environment triggering allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies.
Are Japanese Spitz Aggressive
No. This Spitz dogs are not aggressive dogs although they will bark to strangers to notify the owner.
Do Japanese Spitz Shed
Yes. They shed heavily in spring and fall while blowing off their undercoats.
Do Japanese Spitz Bark A Lot
Yes. They are vocal dogs hence making them great watchdogs since they bark at strangers when they are approaching.
Are Japanese Spitz Smart
Yes. They are intelligent dogs that are eager to please making them highly trainable.
Are Japanese Spitz Good For First Time Owners
Yes. They are playful, energetic, loyal, and intelligent dogs which makes them great pets for senior citizens, small kids, and novice owners.
Japanese Spitz Quick Facts
- They are companion dogs that thrive with human contact.
- They are similar in appearance to American Eskimo dogs, Samoyed, and White Pomeranian.
- If left alone for long hours, this Japan Spitz suffer from separation anxiety.