Japanese Spitz Care Requirements

Despite its long pure white coat the Japanese Spitz is a low maintenance breed. Contrary to most people's expectations and beliefs their coat is very easy to look after. Because, due to its texture/silky component , mud and dirt fall off or can be brushed out very easily. While they love to play in the dirt, this is a fastidious/clean dog that does not like getting dirty and, like a cat, will lick itself clean. Provided they are kept well groomed (about once a week) they should only require a bath about once a month. They shed their coat twice a year. The shedding will usually only last one week and the ead hair is easily brushed out. In between shedding times you will not get any hair loss so about two weeks in the year you will need to brush them daily to help remove the dead hair. Some people save the hair and have it spun to knit with.

They do not need lots of exercise, but they are an active breed and enjoy being taken for a walk. If they are bored they can be mischievous. They are not a dog you can leave in the backyard and forget. They enjoy living both indoors and outdoors, in fact they enjoy being wherever you are, they thrive on human companionship but are happy to be the only dog in the backyard (ie they don't need another companion dog).

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Characteristics of the Japanese Spitz dog Breed

The Japanese Spitz is a classic medium-sized spitz covered with a thick, snow white stand-off coat, which consists of a long straight outer coat held by a profuse and soft under coat. The head has a sharply pointed muzzle and triangular shaped ears standing erect. The tail is of medium length, has a rich fringe of long hair and curled over the back. The overall quality of the body should be firm and strong, full of flexibility. Fore and hindquarters should be well proportioned and balanced. The general appearance should be noble, first of all, and united in a perfect sate, indicated structural beauty in a harmonious whole. The ideal ration of height at shoulders vs length of body is 10:11.

Its not hard to see why one would love the Japanese Spitz. It’s an alert, lively, bold, eager to please, intelligent family dog. They are companion dogs and make wonderful versatile pets. They tend to be wary of strangers upon first meeting, so time and patience is required for this bread to become familiar with your guests and friends, but after that you have a friend for life. They are great watch dogs as they keep constant and careful watch over their territory.

Despite its impressive coat, the Japanese Spitz is surprisingly easy to maintain. They require a brush once a week except for when they shed their coat which is twice a year then daily brushing is required to remove the dead hair. This usually last up to a week. They don’t have a doggy smell even when wet and as their coat has a silk component mud and dirt does not stick to it so if you are worried about your pristine white dog getting muddy, rest assured this will brush out easily, leaving your dog white again.

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Origin of the Japanese Spitz

The first information we have about the development of the breed dates back to not more than 80 years ago and it has now been proved that this dog was created and developed in Japan by expert cynologists between 1920 and 1950; their starting point was a number of spitz dogs imported at different times from different countries.

As with many other breeds, we do not know the precise recipe for the cocktail from which the Japanese Spitz was born, so various theories have been put forward. Moreover, there is a veiled dispute between those who regard this dog simply as a descendant of the German Spitz and those who consider its origins as more distinctive and singular.

From the information we have collected and the arguments we have put forward it can be stated that:

1. The Japanese Spitz was originally created from at least 2 varieties of dogs; the American Eskimo and a white Russian Spitz (Laika) imported to Japan via Manchuria.

2. Direct utilization of the German Spitz to develop the original Japanese Spitz is still under debate, even if it is likely; at any rate this breed had an important part in the development of the Japanese Spitz indirectly through the American Eskimo.

3. It seems that the direct descendant of the Japanese Spitz from the Samoyed must be excluded, although the two breeds show remarkable similarities and some Samoyed blood may have come to the Japanese Spitz through the white Russian Spitz (Laikas) imported from Manchuria.

4. After the Second World War the Japanese Spitz suffered from some uncontrolled cross-breeding with other similar dogs (German Spitz, American Eskimo, Samoyed, unidentified white Japanese dog), but the efforts of the breed fanciers managed to save this dog from significant debasement in time.

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Go Oriental With Japanese Breed Dogs

Dogs have a long history even in distant places like East Asia particularly in Japan. One of the most popular Japanese dog breeds is the Japanese Spitz characterized by its petite height, pointed muzzle with slanted oval eyes. Another interesting feature of the Spitz is that its hairs have the tendency to stand and tailor long from its back and its hind legs. It is also an excellent security animal as it suspicious of strangers and will bark repeatedly at first sign of doubt. Children also love having a Japanese Spitz at home as they are very friendly and patient with the child's playful actions. Keeping the Spitz nice and healthy is not a problem as it only requires minimal bathing and its coat barely catches a serious amount of dirt.

On the more ancient side of Japanese dog breeds comes the Shiba Inu which are said to breed from the mountains of Japan where they are very susceptible to the cold climate. It is also quite remarkable that Japanese authorities are able to save the almost extinct Shiba Inu in the 1920's The Shiba Inu's part wolf appearance makes it a revered animal to Japanese. Recently, this type of dog is considered as a national treasure in their country due to its early cultural existence.

Finally, another example of these Japanese dog breeds is the Akita Inu or Akita Ken which also stems from the Spitz family. It currently holds the title as the largest dog coming from Japan.

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Japanese Spitz the White wonder

The Japanese Spitz has been recognized as a breed for more than 40 years, but it did not reach the West until the beginning of the 70s and the first European areas to accept the breed was Scandinavian countries and Great Britian. Until 1985 it remained unknown and ignored by most people, such as France, Germany, Italy and Austria. Later the Japanese Spitz spread rapidly, despite the relatively few specimens, and gained more and more followers as soon as its excellent qualities were discovered and appreciated.

The Japanese Spitz has been a real discovery, actually, because its handsome appearance like that of a small-sized snow white arctic dog is complemented by some very particular temperamental characteristics. (it is often improperly called “mini – Samoyed”)

In fact, this dog is endowed with a marked sense of property and territory, as well as a strong personality lacking in submissive-ness, and is naturally inclined to assume the role of a true protagonist in the family right from puppyhood. Its behaviour towards man reflects a sense of mutual friendship rather than instinctive submission. This has created new situations of co-habitation even for long-experienced fanciers. And it is a common occurrence that people who have had a Japanese Spitz as a pet are no longer able to find satisfaction with any other breed.

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About Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz are developed in Japan in the 1920s and 30s by breeding a number of other Spitz type dog breeds together. They are recognized by the vast majority of the major kennel clubs, due to its being similar appearance to the American Eskimo and Samoyed dog from other country. A Japanese Spitz is a small dog around 33 cm at the withers, with a somewhat square body, deep chest, and a very thick, pure white double coat.

The Japanese Spitz has wedge-shaped face. It is an intelligent breed and will quickly learn what is required of them if gentle consistency is applied. They are also playful, alert, and obedient, and particularly excellent and loving towards children. They are small enough to enjoy being a lap dog, but do possess an independent nature and a strong will of their own so new owners need to be firm with their pups, but not that harsh because harsh handling and strong verbal and physical discipline are harmful and may be met with resistance.
Positive reinforcement of treats and praise will bring out their eagerness to learn and their willingness to please. Socialization at a very early age can introduce the puppy to various people, places, noises, situations and other animals. This will mature into a friendly, confident, well mannered adult. This kinds of dogs are a type of companion dog and prefer to be an active part of the family but they can act as reliable watchdogs.

Although the Japanese Spitz might appear fluffy, they are a low maintenance breed as the coat has a non stick texture often compared to Teflon. This kind of dogs requires weekly care and grooming because a regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible. But grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails.

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