Breeds / Small
Japanese Spitz puppies
Alert, intelligent and lively, the Japanese Spitz is a small white double coated companion dog. They are recorded by the AKC through the Foundation Stock Service rather than as a fully recognised breed.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Japan
- Adult weight 4.5 to 11.3 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 10 to 25 lb
- Adult height 30 to 38 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 14 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz was put together in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s from white spitz dogs imported from several countries, and was bred purely for company rather than for work. This is a small dog of 4.5 to 11.3 kg standing 30 to 38 cm, with a pure white double coat, a pointed muzzle, a plumed tail carried over the back and a permanently cheerful expression. They are bright, quick to learn, closely attached to their family and ready to announce anyone who comes to the door.
They adapt to a flat or a farm as long as they get a daily walk and a free run. The coat sheds dirt rather than holding it, so mud dries and brushes out, and bathing once a season is plenty; washing more often strips the natural oils. Once or twice a year the whole undercoat comes out over two or three weeks, and daily brushing is the only defence. They rate well with children and other pets, with supervision. Leaving one alone too long turns an alert dog into a barking one.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Japanese Spitz puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, which a vet can test for on an orthopaedic exam
- Muscular dystrophy, a rare inherited musculoskeletal disorder in the breed
- Factor VII deficiency, an inherited clotting disorder detectable by DNA test
- Dental calculus and gingivitis from an early age, kept down by regular tooth brushing
Your Japanese Spitz puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Japanese Spitz.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 4.5 to 11.3 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 11.3 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Japanese Spitz
Previous: Japanese Chin · Next: Japanese Terrier
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Japanese Spitz breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/japanese-spitz/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.