Japanese Spitz
Recommended for: Families, couples, singles, and first-time owners who love affection, company, and a daily walk.
Maintenance Level: Low. Their coats are incredibly low maintenance and do not hold dirt, so they always look majestic.
Lifespan: 12-16 years
Temperament: Devoted, affectionate, playful, alert, intuitive.
Health Risk: This breed is in the lower risk category for developing health issues, hence it is one of the least expensive breeds to insure.
Breed Overview
The lesser-known Japanese Spitz has a very famous smaller cousin – the Pomeranian. Like the Pomeranian, the Japanese Spitz has a light, fluffy coat that stands off its lightweight body. However, while the Pomeranian comes in a variety of colours, the Japanese Spitz is only white. The Japanese breed features stand-up prick ears that are triangular in shape and a pointed muzzle. What’s most impressive about this breed is its deep, dark and expressive eyes. The dog’s long furry tail usually curls up and over its body to give the breed an attentive look.
The Japanese Spitz tends to stay on alert. If their senses are triggered, they can show a lot of bravery and are capable of barking off strangers, though they will calm quickly around trusted humans. This active dog loves human attention and tends to be very loyal and affectionate. Decades of breeding German Spitz dogs with other white Spitz breeds around the world meticulously teased out these desirable traits in Japan.
Standards for the Japanese Spitz vary across the world’s kennel clubs, especially when it comes to size, so it’s important to understand your Japanese Spitz’s country of origin. But, no matter how you define the breed, the popularity of the Japanese Spitz is growing around the globe.
The Japanese Spitz is a great dog for a first-time owner. They are relatively low maintenance, as one walk a day and some play time can keep them happy. This fluffy breed also tends to live a long and healthy life, and is therefore one of the least expensive breeds to insure. This family dog has a positive temperament, is incredibly smart, and responds very well to positive reinforcement training. Japanese Spitzes tends to get along well with other animals and children alike. And due to the breed’s high intelligence, the Japanese Spitz will do its best to protect the family from potential ne’er-do-wells.
Different kennel clubs list varying sizes for this breed, but you can expect the dog to stand 25 to 35 cm in height while weighing 5 to 9 kg. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
The dog’s illustriously white coat is very easy to maintain. The Japanese Spitz has an overcoat and an undercoat of fur. The slightly rougher overcoat brushes off dirt while the undercoat contains protective oils. This means that the dog maintains its natural white lustre without much maintenance whatsoever.