Breed Feature – Japanese Spitz

JAPANESE SPITZ

The Japanese Spitz ... are very family-friendly and have a playful spirit and are always eager to please. They enjoy both indoors and outdoors and being wherever you are as they thrive on human companionship.

– Shannon Watherston, Shanspitz Japanese Spitz HISTORY The Japanese make claim to the origins of the Japanese Spitz, however there is evidence of white Spitz-type dogs in other countries dating back hundreds of years. There were many medium sized Spitz breeds in Europe, especially Germany and Russia, and these were predominantly white. During the late 1800s this type of dog began making its way to America. During the early 1900s, white Spitz appeared in Japan, possibly due to the movements of armed forces and their families and pets in and out of Japan, China and Russia from America and Canada.

Today’s Japanese Spitz was developed in Japan between 1920 and 1950. The breed arrived relatively quickly in Australia. The first exports from Japan arrived in Sweden in 1973, and then the first imports into England arrived from Sweden in 1977. Breed fanciers in Australia were fortunate enough to import progeny of those early arrivals in England and as a result the breed arrived on our shores in 1979. The first litter in Australia was born in 1981.

TEMPERAMENT AND SUITABILITY It’s not hard to see why one would love the Japanese Spitz. Apart from their striking appearance with that pure white coat and black eyes and nose, they are alert, lively, bold, eager to please, intelligent family dogs. The Japanese Spitz are prized for their wonderful temperaments. They are very family-friendly and are known to be playful and gentle with children and make wonderful versatile pets. They enjoy both indoors and outdoors and being wherever you are as they thrive on human companionship. When you are home, they want to be with you, so they are not a breed you can just leave in the backyard as they want to be a part of the family.

They should have socialisation and training as they are known for their courage and protective nature. They will bark, surprisingly loud at strangers who enter their territory, though they will calm down when they are reassured by their owners.

Japanese Spitz are quite intelligent and respond well to training. They don’t need a large backyard as they are an active dog that will follow you everywhere around the house. However, they do love to go for walks and beach swims. They tend to be wary of complete strangers that rush up to them without formal introduction. They prefer a gentle approach, after which you have a friend for life.

They are characterised by their great courage, affection, and devotion to their family. They are small enough to enjoy being a lap dog, but let it be said, at their discretion, for despite these qualities they are nevertheless of an independent nature with a will of their own. They can be an only dog or in a household with other dogs and pets. They are playful and friendly from an early age and are highly adaptable and thrive in almost any living situation, from small apartments to vast acreage. These happy dogs walk with a pep in their step, equally excited for playtime and cuddly naps.

APPEARANCE Japanese spitz dogs are playful, smart, and comedic companions who are steadfastly loyal and almost always smiling. The Japanese Spitz is a classic medium-sized spitz covered with a thick, pristine snow-white stand-off coat, which consists of a long straight outer coat held by a profuse and soft under coat contrasted by strikingly dark expressive almond eyes lined in black, black lips and nose.

The head has an alert appearance with triangular shaped ears standing erect, pointed muzzle and a well plumed tail carried over their back. The overall quality of the body should be firm and strong, full of flexibility.

The height and weight of the Japanese Spitz is: Males 34-37 cm (13.5 – 14.5 ins) and approximately 12kgs. Females 30-34 cm (12 – 13.5 ins) and approximately 10kgs. MAINTENANCE Despite its impressive coat, the Japanese Spitz is surprisingly easy to maintain due to the coats soft texture – mud and dirt will fall off easily or can be brushed out. They require a brush once a week and a bath approximately every 4 weeks as they don’t have a doggy smell.

They shed their undercoat approximately twice a year and a trip to the groomers a couple of times during this period is recommended to get the hair out. With regular grooming you will be rewarded with a beautiful looking dog with a sparkling white coat.

HEALTH The Japanese Spitz is a very healthy breed that is not prone to much illness. Some bloodlines may suffer from Patella Luxation (slipping knee caps). However conscious breeders strive to eliminate this from their breeding programs.

Some dogs suffer from tear staining however this is usually due to wrong eye shape (being too round) or blocked tear ducts. They have an average life span of up to 15 years old. To ensure you get a healthy Japanese Spitz make sure you purchase from an ANKC Registered Breeder that exhibits (shows) their dogs regularly.

AGILITY, OBEDIENCE, DOG SPORTS AND CONFORMATION SHOWING The Japanese Spitz is quite an intelligent breed, and they respond well to training. They thrive on being with their owners and enjoy Agility, Obedience and Conformation Showing. I have done all these sports with my dogs over the years, and found that they only need minimal training to pick up the required skills. There are many Japanese Spitz overseas doing, Agility, Fly Ball and Lure Coursing. They enjoy playing catch with a ball or frisbee in the backyard with their families. IDEAL OWNER/S FOR THIS BREED The Japanese Spitz is a family dog seeming to thrive on the different attention and affections from each family member. They will choose one family member as their leader and bond more closely with that person.

A young puppy (3-12months) could be a “handful” for children under the age of 5 without adult supervision. However, they are also suitable for singles or couples. If you are looking for a breed of dog to be a loyal companion that loves to be with you then the Japanese Spitz is for you.

COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PETS The Japanese Spitz should be familiarised with other household pets at an early age; it will then live happily with them. They can have a dominant nature and when introduced to a household with other breeds they may very quickly become “The Boss” – even over much larger breeds.