Japanese Spitz
A small, snow-white companion spitz: cheerful, clever and devoted, with a coat that looks harder to care for than it is.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 30–38 cm · Females 28–36 cm
- Weight
- Males 6–10 kg · Females 5–8 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- White
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- Japan
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 262 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small, sociable companion
- live in a flat or town house
- like dog sports on a small scale
Think twice if you …
- dislike shedding
- are away from home all day
- want a dog that never barks
Care
Temperament
Bright, playful and devoted, it bonds closely with its people and enjoys being involved. It is watchful with strangers at first but rarely shy.
Exercise
Daily walks and play totalling 30 to 60 minutes suit most adults; many enjoy agility, trick training or obedience.
Grooming
The stand-off white coat needs brushing a few times a week and more often during the moult. It should not be clipped.
Training
Eager and quick to learn, it does well with positive, consistent training. Teach a quiet cue early to keep alert barking in check.
Health
Patellar luxation is the most commonly reported problem, along with occasional eye conditions and tear staining. Ask the breeder for patella and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Japanese Spitz was developed in Japan from the 1920s onward, mainly from white German spitz-type dogs brought into the country. Breeders refined it into a small, elegant white companion, and it became very popular in post-war Japan before spreading to Europe and Australia.
It is a lively, affectionate housemate that adapts well to flats and family life as long as it gets company and regular walks. It is alert and will announce visitors, but it is usually friendly once introductions are done. The white coat sheds dirt surprisingly well, though it does moult heavily.
Did you know?
The Japanese Spitz's coat has a texture that tends to let dried dirt brush out easily, helping it stay surprisingly white.