Japanese Spitz - Dog Breed Information (2024)

FAQs

Are Japanese Spitz a good family dog? ›

The Japanese Spitz is a joyful, low-maintenance breed that makes a great family dog or roadside companion, thanks to their petite stature and laid-back temperament. They are loyal and loving to their family members and, when well-trained and socialized, can be trusted around children, other dogs, and cats.

As mentioned earlier, a Japanese Spitz is very affectionate towards its family. They are also very friendly towards kids and get along well with them. However, a Japanese Spitz's temperament does see the dog get a little wary of sudden approaches from complete strangers. This breed prefers a gentler approach.

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.

The main health concern for Japanese Spitz is the development of Patellar luxation, a condition in which the kneecap dislocates out of its normal position. They can also be prone to runny eyes, which is most commonly due to having tear ducts that are too small, or an allergy to long grass or stress.

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they'd known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that the Japanese Spitz are prone to include: Luxating patellas – the kneecaps slipping temporarily out of place.

The Japanese Spitz is an active, loyal and affectionate dog that enjoys human interaction and is always eager to please. They are alert and have great courage, making them good watchdogs as they have a tendency to bark to warn off strangers.

A purebred Japanese Spitz from a reputable breeder typically costs between $2500 - $4500. Japanese Spitz crosses or those from adoption agencies will likely be less.

Japanese Spitz dogs are often playful and energetic. They enjoy playing and walking with their people more so than they enjoy cuddling. That said, they are still affectionate and loyal. They will follow their humans around the house and crave companionship.

Japanese Spitz Breed Maintenance

They are fairly clean-smelling animals and their fur is resistant to mud and dirt, so bathing is only required occasionally, just a few times a year unless they get into something sticky or smelly.

The Japanese Spitz has a profuse, white, double coat. The undercoat, which they shed twice per year, is thick and generous, with an outer coat that is longer. When they blow their coat (aka shedding), the entire undercoat is shed in the span of about 2 to 3 weeks.

Are Japanese Spitz aggressive? ›

This breed can be reserved (but never aggressive) with strangers. They love human companionship and would rather spend time with their people than almost anything else. Japanese Spitz are alert and vigilant.

The Japanese Spitz is a family dog. It's an intelligent breed and, having been developed purely as a companion dog, it is always eager to please. It enjoys living both indoors and outdoors, in fact it enjoys being wherever you are, thriving on human companionship.

Checking the Coat

Consider the dog's coat color. Japanese Spitz should have a coat that is completely white in color. Examine the coat's length. Japanese Spitz should have short hair on their ears, undercoat, the front of their forearms, below their hocks, and on their foreface.

Bathing. Bathing your Spitz should be done on an as-needed basis, typically every few months or when they get particularly dirty. Using a dog-specific shampoo is essential to maintain their coat's natural oils and avoid skin irritation.

A raw food diet aims to replicate what dogs evolved to eat in the wild. As such, meat, bone, offal and a small amount of plant ingredients are all important ingredients in the diet of a Japanese Spitz, each adding highly beneficial vitamins and minerals to meal times.